8:00 start with 17:30 return
A Walk - Stony Cove Pike and High Street with Graham Hogg
11 miles (17.5km) with 2700ft (820m) Total Ascent
Leaving the coach at the Kirkstone Inn, we make an initial ascent up to St. Ravens Edge and then to Stoney Cove Pike (763m) before descending carefully into the confines of Threshthwaite Mouth.
From here, we will climb to Thornthwaite Beacon (784m) with its distinctive summit cairn.
We gradually ascend the vast High Street ridge to the summit and trig point standing at 828m before a long descent to the Straits of Riggindale.
Unfortunately, the climbing isn´t over yet – we have three more tops in quick succession – Kidsty Pike (780m), Rampsgill Head (792m) and The Knott (739m).
With the serious ascent now out of the way it is a relatively easy return to Glenridding via Angle Tarn, Boredale Hause and Patterdale.
B+ Walk - Red Screes and High Hartsop Dodd with Colin Manning
7.2 miles (11.6km) with 1510ft (460m) Total Ascent
Today´s walk starts at the Inn atop of Kirkstone pass. We begin straight away with a steep climb up the side of a Red Screes on a route called the Kilnshaw Chimney. We can take our time up here as it is a rocky accent and the hardest part of the walk. Shortly after reaching the top of the Chimney the ground levels off more to reach the summit of Red Screes, the highest part of the walk. From here we descend to the path crossroads at Scandale pass. After continuing for a short grassy climb we turn off this path to Little Hart Crag before descending again to the lower summit of High Hartsop Dodd. A grassy descent from Here takes us down to the path which passes Brothers water and gives a nice gentle stroll all the way via Crookabeck, Rooking and Patterdale to arrive at Glenridding.
If, upon reaching Patterdale, we find we are going to be back too soon we can chose to add a short visit to Lanty´s tarn.
B Walk - Gowbarrow with Tony Ingham
7½ miles (12km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent
This walk will either start at Glenridding and end at Aira Force or the other way round. I would prefer to end in Glenridding and start at Aira Force as there is more to do in Glenridding at the end of the walk, but it will require the willingness of the coach driver on the day to run us on to Aira Force after finishing the other drop offs in Glenridding (depends whether he thinks he can turn round somewhere to go back to Glenridding).
Either way the walk is near the maximum recommended total climbing for a B because it involves the ascent of Gowbarrow, which is a Wainwright standing at 1578ft (481m). Those choosing to do this walk need to be aware of that.
Assuming the start will be from Aira Force, we first climb up to the main waterfall taking the "Squirrel Route" to get there. After viewing the falls we follow a path northwards on the east side of the stream before turning east to climb steeply to the trig point at the top of Gowbarrow. We descend on the other side of the mountain to a derelict shooting lodge and from there proceed westwards with superb views over Ullswater for all of the 2 miles back to Aira Force. The final 3 miles is undulating and mostly along the shoreline of Ullswater into Glenridding. It is said this section passes the spot where Wordsworth saw his host of golden daffodils "beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze".
C Walk - Glenridding Valley and Lanty´s Tarn with Roy Smith
4½ miles (7.2km) with 650ft (198m) Total Ascent
The slightly shorter walk takes into account the fact that the total climbing is slightly above the norm for a C walk.
From the car park (toilets available - 30P) we start by walking along the southern side of Glenridding Beck. We cross the beck at Rattlebeck Bridge and make our way to Greenside Road. From here we make our way uphill, with Glenridding Screes to our right, as we walk we will pass the Y.H.A hostel and Mountain Rescue Post, arriving at the disused lead mine. From here we cross Glenridding Beck via a footbridge and traverse the lower slopes of Birkhouse Moor on the south side of the valley. On our way down the valley we make a diversion to visit Lanty´s Tarn, which is well worth a visit. From the tarn we make our way back to Glenridding and welcome refreshments.
Should anyone have had enough climbing, the ascent and descent to Lanty´s Tarn can be missed out, meaning climbing would be reduced to 400 feet in total.
