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