8:00 start with 17:00 return
12 miles (19.3km) with 3116ft (930m) Total Ascent
An area often glimpsed from the M6 motorway but never fully explored by the Club, we today have the chance to enjoy the delights of the "Other Borrowdale". Despite being less well known than its namesake, south of Derwent Water, this Borrowdale affords a splendid horse shoe walk, presenting a varied and different perspective on the Lakeland and Howgill Fells, with no fewer than ten separate tops on the route.
We leave the coach at Hause Bridge on the A685 and commence our climb up a short but well defined ridge, first to the summit of Grayrigg Pike (1568ft / 478m) and then to Grayrigg Common (1620ft / 494m), which will be our highest point on the walk today.
Tracking west, we make for Whinfell Beacon ( 1548ft / 472m), Castle Fell (1568ft / 478m) and Mabbin Crag (1581ft / 482m), with the Lakeland views opening up progressively. On reaching Ashstead Fell (1538ft / 469m) we descend steeply to the head of the Borrowdale valley at Huck's Bridge.
We'll aim to cross the Borrowdale Beck by the very large stepping stones before reascending the north Borrowdale ridge to Winash (1545ft / 471m). From here we head back east towards the M6 taking in Winterscleugh (1522ft / 464m), Belt Howe (1338ft / 408m) and finally Jeffrey's Mount (1240ft / 378m).
This just leaves the small matter of finding our way under the motorway, the west coast mainline railway and over the River Lune, back to J38 Tebay truck stop.
10 miles (16.1km) with 1300ft (396m) Total Ascent
We leave Kendal crossing the River Kent and make the short ascent of Castle Hill to Kendal Castle. Having got nicely warmed up we descend to the river which we follow south. After passing the site of the Roman Fort we enter Scroggs Wood then on reaching Brigsteer Road we follow it for a short while before gradually ascending Scout Scar. On reaching the Trig Point we follow the ridge to the Viewpoint with views over the Lythe Valley. Then after following the Cunswick Scar ridge to the summit we descend through the golf course via Kendal Fell and back to Kendal.
9 miles (14.5km) with 1000ft (304m) Total Ascent
We leave Kendal heading for Cunswick Fell, on to Hallhead Nab and then down to Cunswick Scar and Underbarrow Road. From there it is a short walk on the road to Scout Scar. We walk the length of Scout Scar enjoying the beautiful scenery (including Morecambe Bay). A short walk on Brigsteer Road to High House Farm then passing under A591 on to Scroggs Wood to the River Kent which we follow back into Kendal. Lovely walk. HAPPY DAYS.
7 miles (11.3km) with 130ft (40m) Total Ascent
After leaving the motorway we leave the coach at the next junction of the A590 and the A591. Starting the walk from the roundabout we make our way in to the village of Sedgwick via lanes and field paths. After a short walk round the village we leave by climbing a track which was once the canal link to Lancaster to Kendal. Continuing along the track to Larkrigg Hall bridge we turn left onto the path along the River Kent, leading to Hawes Bridge. Still following the river, we reach Watercrook Farm by the Roman Fort before rejoining the disused canal path to Kendal via the Quaker Tapestry and Kendal Castle remains. Coach pickup point to be arranged on the day.