April
8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return
9 miles (14.5km) with 3000ft (915m) Total Ascent
Wainwrights galore today for our 'A' party. Starting from Braithwaite we cross fields to reach Braithwaite lodge. From here we start our ascent up to Barrow (1493ft/455m) and on to Outerside (1864ft/568m). We descend a little from here before our ascent steepens up to Sail (2405ft/773m) and Crag Hill which, at 2753ft/839m, is the highest point of our walk. From here we retrace our steps back down via Sail and bearing right this time to head via Scar Crags (2205ft/672m) on up our final short climb of the day to Causey Pike (2090ft/637m). All down hill from here via Rowling End down to Stoneycroft. From here we can assess our time and either take the longer scenic route along Newlands beck for the full 9 miles or cut a mile off and head back via the, probably just as scenic, road and track via Braithwaite Lodge again all the way back to Braithwaite.
9½ Miles / 15.3km with 1,400ft / 427m Total Ascent
The last time I led a walk over Cat Bells was in 2009 before I had a bionic Knee. This will be a test for me, but a delight for the group as the views from here are some of the best in the lake district and well worth a visit.
Starting from Braithwaite (toilets available) we follow Newlands Beck south to Ghyll Bank, then passing Skelgill on to Hawes End from where we start the main climbing of the day. From here we ascend Skelgill Bank (1148ft / 350m), where we level out for a while before ascending Cat Bells at (1476ft / 450m). From the summit, we will be able to see the length of Derwent Water to Keswick and beyond, with Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw in the background. We descend from Cat Bells down Hause Gate to Manesty Park at the southern end of Derwent Water. Turning North, we join the Allerdale Ramble track (Cumbria Way) which follows Derwent Water back to Hawes End.
Leaving Hawes End, we follow a road to Swinside where we once again pick up the Newlands Beck path which leads us back into Braithwaite.
7.5 miles (12km) with 1,200ft (366m) Total Ascent
Leaving Braithwaite village we walk along the track to Braithwaite Lodge. From here we begin the steep climb, on a good grassy path up Barrow Door. We will have a few stops to admire the panoramic views and get our breath back. All the climbing is done now and we descend gradually on a path by Stoney Croft Gill to Rowling End Farm. We cross the road to Skelgill Youth Centre, then head northwards to Stair and follow a path by the beck to Braithwaite.
6 miles (9.7km) with 488ft (149m) Total Ascent
Our walk today starts from Keswick, (toilets available). Following the Cumbria Way we head for Portinscale, Nichol End and Hawse End. Between Nichol End and Hawse End we have time to visit the newly opened walled garden at Lingholm which has connections with Beatrix Potter. The gardens are free and there is a shop and cafe.
We now leave the Cumbria Way for our only real climb of the day up to Skelgill. From here we drop down into the Newlands Valley to follow Newlands Beck into Braithwaite. All we need is the weather!