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