09/11/2014 Coach - Coniston

November

8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return

Cathedrals, Carrs and Aeroplanes with Graham Hogg
10miles (16.1km) with 3609ft (1100m) Total Ascent.

"A rather strange walk title", I hear you say but I guarantee that you will see all three on today's A walk. "Surely there are no cathedrals around Coniston - are there..? Be sure to bring your cameras, all will become clear!

We alight the coaches at Hollin Bank on the A593 (GR NY329022). The going is easy, following minor roads and tracks until we make a slight detour to visit the impressive "Cathedral" - one of Little Langdale's best kept secrets. From here we continue up the Greenburn Valley, cross the beck and ascend Wet Side Edge until reaching Little Carrs (2270ft/692m) and then the summit of Great Carrs (2559ft/780m). It is here where Halifax Bomber LL505 crashed on the night of 22nd October 1944. Its crew; seven Canadians and one Scot, encountered very thick cloud whilst on night training exercise over the north-west of England. The pilot descended to get a visual fix on the ground but by this stage it was too late and the aircraft hit the top of Great Carrs and crashed, killing all on board. Large pieces of wreckage are still to be found on the summit but most was pushed off the side of the mountain into Broad Slack.

Swirl How is next and weather permitting, from here we'll traverse the ridge to Coniston Old Man (2635ft/803m) before descending into Coniston. The alternative will be to descend via the "Prison Band" and Levers Water.

Along the Cumbria Way with Dave Thornton
9.5miles (15km) with 1200ft (370m) Total Ascent.

Starting at Skelwith Bridge we head northwest along the Cumbria Way past Elterwater and then follow the river to Chapel Stile. Turning southwards we pass Yew Crags, Little Langdale and Stang End. Stone Chain Hill and Tom Heights are our next destinations and we then arrive at the beauty spot Tarn Hows, where we pick up the Cumbria Way again and hopefully arrive in Coniston in time for some refreshments.

Tarn Hows with Chris Cook
8½ miles (13.7km) with 700ft (213m) Total Ascent.

Leaving Coniston we take a path parallel to the road for about a mile before gradually ascending to Tarn Hows on woodland paths. Here we join the Cumbria Way for a while then after crossing the A593, we leave the Way to begin a steep climb along a narrow road to High Oxen Fell. Beginning the descent we pass Hodge Close and the disused quarries. We join the road again before taking a path over the hill to the hamlet of Yewdale. We then follow field paths to pick up the Cumbria Way and return to Coniston. The paths are mostly good and one steep climb apart, the walk is undulating and includes walking through fields.

Skelwith Bridge to Coniston with Derek Lowe
6¼ miles (10km) with 550ft (168m) Total Ascent.

Leaving the coaches at Skelwith Bridge we will start from Chester's by the river (credit cards needed!) After wining and whinging we make our way towards Coniston picking up the Cumbria Way. We will have a look at Colwith Force en route then continue to High Park and on to Stang End. Here we follow a track to Hodge Close (lunch stop). After lunch we continue along the same track, taking care in case we meet any traffic as it is only narrow. Reaching the end of the track at Shepherd's Bridge we turn left and cross the A593 to pick up the Cumbria Way again. Eventually we cross Shepherd Bridge (a different one) into Coniston in time for refreshments and the coaches. I have booked the weather. Have a wonderful day.

14/09/2014 Coach - Braithwaite / Cockermouth

 

September

8:30 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return.

Crag Hill & More with Stella Wadsworth
10½ miles (16.9km) with 3510ft (1070m) Total Ascent.

Setting off from Braithwaite we head along the footpath taking us past Kinn and along to a reservoir, past a ford and a waterfall, under Eel Crag, ending up at Coledale Hause. Here we head southish to skirt the bottom of Crag Hill. Then following the footpath we make our way to the top of Crag Hill. Leaving Crag Hill we head for Sail and then Causey Pike. Dropping off Causey Pike we follow Stonycroft Gill down to Uzzicar where we follow Newlands Beck to Little Braithwaite and then Braithwaite itself. Hope the weather is kind. Enjoy your day.

Causey Pike & Barrow with Barry Mather
7½ miles (12.1km) with 2400ft (732m) Total Ascent.

From Braithwaite we follow Newlands Beck to Little Braithwaite and on to Stair. After leaving the road we start a gradual ascent of Causey Pike to Sleet Hause, from here we have a rocky climb to the top, where we have a panoramic view of the surrounding fells and Derwentwater. The path then undulates over Scar Crags after which we descend High Moss to Barrow Door, from here a short ascent brings us to the top of Barrow with a gradual descent back to Braithwaite.

Castlerigg & Applethwaite with Bill Manning 
10 miles (16km) with 450ft (137m) Total Ascent.

From Threlkeld village we leave by joining the disused rail path down to Brundholme where we turn left. We then climb through field paths to meet the lane to Naddle Bridge and on to Goosewell Farm before reaching the Stone Circle and continuing along Castle Lane to the A591. Crossing over, we make our way up to Castlerigg via the caravan park leaving by the track down to Keswick for lunch. From here we make our way to Great Crosthwaite to join the Allerdale Ramble to Ormathwaite and on to Applethwaite along fields and lanes. We reach Millbeck and then Dancing Gate on the A591 which we cross to reach High Stock Bridge and on into Braithwaite for refreshments and the coaches. The walk may be shortened if the weather is bad.

Threlkeld to Braithwaite with Joyce Bradbury
6miles (9.7km) with 149ft (45m) Total Ascent.

We leave the coaches at Threlkeld and walk towards Keswick. This is a good path following the disused railway track along the River Greta. We arrive in Keswick at the old railway station. As we should have plenty of time, we can have a break here before continuing our walk. We leave Keswick at the far side, walking through Portinscale and on to Braithwaite. There are toilets and two pubs in Braithwaite. All we need is the weather!

20/07/2014 Coach - Keswick & Borrowdale

July

8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

Glaramara,Allen Crags & Esk Pike with Colin Manning

11 miles (17.7km) with 3117ft (950m) Total Ascent.

Starting from Seatoller we have a short road walk to reach our path to start the steady ascent of Glaramara (2569ft/783m). The final clamber I have chosen up Glaramara is a scrambly option to add a bit more fun; it's short and is nothing unmanageable by any 'A' or 'B+' walker but can be avoided if needed. After lunch we then descend a short distance on a somewhat intermittent path before climbing up again to Allen Crags (2575ft/785m), hopefully for good views over to the Scafell range right in front of us. Our last climb is an up and down summit grab of Esk Pike (2904ft/885m) with views to Bowfell and beyond. The descent down to Seatoller is a long one but is on mostly excellent paths with no really steep bits. It passes by Sprinkling Tarn for a possible refreshment stop and Sty Head, at the start of the Corridor route, with its famous stretcher box. There's not much to do in Seatoller so we have no rush to get back early. If you want a pint you may have to bring your own.

High Spy with Dave Thornton
9¼ miles (15km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent.

This is a linear walk starting at Seatoller and finishing in Keswick. Most of the climbing is at the start and we then follow a ridge which weather permitting will give us excellent views of the Borrowdale valley and Derwent Water.

We start off on the Allerdale Ramble heading northwards and then follow Tongue Gill past Rigghead Quarries and then on to High Spy (653m) the highest point of the walk. We continue on the ridge to Maiden Moor and Cat Bells. We descend on Skellgill Bank and enter a wooded area, Fawe Park and then pass through Portinscale and on to Keswick

Walla Crag & Ashness Bridge with Jim and Phyl
8 miles (12.9km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent.

Leaving the coaches at Keswick bus station (toilets) we make our way to the Landing Stages. Now we go through Cockshot, Castlehead and Springs Wood on our way to Lady's Rake on Walla Crag. This is an excellent spot to have our sandwiches, especially if the weather is fine, with views to appreciate. We now continue descending to Ashness Bridge and on to the lake side then back to Keswick via Friars Crag.

Dancing Gate with Joyce Bradbury
6½ miles (10.5km) with 350ft (107m) Total Ascent.

The walk starts from Keswick and we proceed westwards to the edge of Portinscale and then head north west to How Farm and Bog House before turning north east and then north to reach the River Derwent where we will have lunch on the banks. After that we soon reach Dancing Gate. There follows half a mile of walking eastwards on a quiet lane to reach the villages of Millbeck and Applethwaite in the Parish of Underskiddaw (not Over Skiddaw you will be pleased to know!) We then turn south and pass Keswick School and Great Crosthwaite Church, where Canon Rawnsley was once the vicar. We soon reach Keswick from there. Not having Derek's foresight I have failed to book the weather so we will have to take pot luck.

25/05/2014 Coach - Caldbeck

May

8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

Carrock Fell with Stella Wadsworth

13½ miles (21.7km) with 2717ft (828) Total Ascent

Leaving the coaches at Caldbeck we pick up the Cumbria Way heading off to the Caldbeck Fells passing Nether Row and Low Pike on our way to High Pike then Great Lingy Hill. We then head over to Miton Hill and on to Calebreck. We now travel north eastwards to Harrison House and Lonning Head before making for Hesket Newmarket where we pick up a footpath past Hesket Bridge leading eventually to High Parkhead. From here we carry on before turning back on ourselves to make our way past Rylands and on into Caldbeck. Here's for a lovely day. Enjoy.

High Pike with Kevin Poole
10 miles (16.1km) with 1900ft (579m) Total Ascent 

Leaving the coaches at Caldbeck we take it easy as we stroll up High Pike passing Nether Row and Fell Side. The climb is worth it for the grand view of the northern fells. We head back to Caldbeck over Low Pike and through Hudscales. 

Caldbeck South Circular with Jim and Phyl
8 miles (12.9km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coaches at Caldbeck we join the Cumbria Way going eastwards and after a short climb will have good views of the Caldbeck Fells to the south. After a mile we descend to cross Cald Beck. We continue southwards along field paths to pass Hesket Newmarket and Wood Hall; about three miles. Here we change direction travelling south westwards to a disused mine on Stony Bank. Now there is a steady climb for a mile rising about 630 feet. (This was a hard climb on our old legs against a stiff headwind and it made both of us consider a different route if the weather is not good; trust us with this one). We are now going south westwards to join the Cumbria Way and descend, this time going north to pass Nether Row and Townhead on the way back to Caldbeck and refreshments. 

Hesket Newmarket Circular with Joyce Bradbury
5½ miles (8.9km) with 520ft (158m) Total Ascent

Our walk today starts from the toilets in Caldbeck. We pass the church and go over a footbridge to join the Cumbria Way along Cald Beck. A fairly steep but short climb on the edge of some woods offers lovely views of High Pike and Carrock Fell with Hesket Newmarket always visible. We leave the Cumbria Way over a wonky stile to go down through some woods, cross Cald Beck over a footbridge and then climb back up alongside the River Caldew to reach Hesket Newmarket. From here we have a very gentle climb, possibly muddy in places, along field paths before descending gradually to a track for Townhead where the walk can be cut short if necessary. We continue along the road to Caldbeck School and return to our start via the Howk waterfalls and Bobbin Mill.

There are 6 stiles, all but the first one in good condition and most of the climbing is done in the early part of the walk. There are 3 cafes and a pub awaiting our return. 

02/02/2014 Coach - Grasmere

 

February

8:00 Start with 17:00 (5:00pm) Return

Steel Fell with Kevin Poole
11 miles (17.7km) with 3280ft (1000) Total Ascent

Starting in Grasmere we stride towards Steel Fell via Goody Bridge and Helmside. Greenup Edge, Brownrigg Moss and Low White Stones take us to High Rise. We then head back to Grasmere via Sergeant Man, Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag.

Silver How and Blea Rigg with Colin Manning
8.2 miles (13.2km) with 1902ft (580m) Total Ascent

Today's walk starts from Grasmere and is mostly on rocky paths which can be slippery in wet conditions.

From the car park we follow the road a short way to the bottom of Silver How where we begin our ascent. Once at the top of Silver How (1296ft/395m) we head over undulating paths towards Lang How and over Raw Pike before reaching our ultimate goal of Blea Rigg, (1775ft/541m) the highest point of the walk. We then continue a little further along the ridge to come to a steep and somewhat tricky path down towards Easdale Tarn.

Once we reach the tarn the path significantly improves. After a short stop off at the tarn we continue down alongside the spectacular Sourmilk Gill waterfalls before reaching the path back into Grasmere for the coaches.

Huntingstile Crag with Chris Cook 
8½ miles (13.7km) with 980ft (299m) Total Ascent

From Grasmere (toilets available) we join the Coffin Trail to Rydal. Here we cross the main road and make our way round Huntingstile Crag, dropping down through the woods and back into Grasmere.

Ambleside to Grasmere via Rydal Hall with Bill Manning
5 miles (8km) with 420ft (128m) Total Ascent

Today's walk starts from the car park at Ambleside (toilets). From here we follow the footpath by the A591 to meet the track through Rydal Park to Rydal Hall where we return to the main road at Step End. Shortly afterwards we follow the shores of Rydal Water before leaving the water's edge to make our way up to Loughrigg Terrace.

From here we follow the lane coming from Elterwater, crossing over the lane to take a narrow path through Red Bank Wood before taking a right turn back to the lane at Hunting Stile. This takes us back to Grasmere for refreshment and the coaches.

There will be an option for an extra short walk around Grasmere if anyone wants to come along.