A Walk - Back o´ Skidda with John Parkinson
12.34 miles (19.86km) with 2363ft (720m) Total Ascent
Today´s gentle route takes us on a round of the green and undulating Northern Fells.
Taking the Cumbria Way out of the tourist metropole that is Caldbeck, we head onto Caldbeck Common where mineral mining started in the 13th century. From the top of High Pike we wind down past the Lingy Hut bothy before squelching up Knott and over Great Sca Fell onto the final peak of Brae Fell. From there the decent takes us past that favourite of adolescent boys, Willy Knott and over Dale Beck before beginning the long walk-in to Caldeck where a refreshing cup of tea, cooling ice cream or foaming beer awaits.
B+ Walk - High Pike with Sue Banister
9½ miles (15km) with 1903ft (580m) Total Ascent
We will leave the coach at Caldbeck and head south through fields to Townhead, Crook Bank and Potts Gill, then start the long steady climb to the summit of High Pike at 2159ft (658m).
We will hopefully have good views of the Solway Firth and Scottish Border hills to the north and to the south the Lakeland hills of Skiddaw and Blencathra.
Our descent takes us past the disused mine at Birket then down to Wood Hall and Hesket Newmarket.
From here we drop down to a footbridge over Cald Beck and follow the Cumbria Way back to Caldbeck village.
B Walk - Caldbeck & The Cumbria Way with Dorothy Dobson
8 miles (12.9km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent
Caldbeck is a picturesque village and the churchyard is the burial place of the famous John Peel.
From the church we join the Cumbria Way, and after a short climb, descend to a woodland path for a while before reaching the village of Hesket Newmarket. Passing through fields, which include two natural meadows, full of wild flowers, (a sight to behold!) we reach Wood Hall. Here we change direction and climbing open hillside, we traverse westwards to rejoin the Cumbria Way, through Nether Row to Caldbeck.
C Walk - Caldbeck circular with Bill Manning
5½ miles (8.8km) with 328ft (100m) Total Ascent
Starting our walk from Caldbeck, we make our way to the main streets or the toilet stop. Continuing, we head for Welpo Beck to follow the tree lined path to the Howk Bobbin Mill. Leaving here by the way of two sets of steps we continue along field paths to the Hamlet of Welpo.
After crossing the road bridge we turn right before passing through a farm yard. We now climb up grassy paths before joining a short walk the road. We now reach further field paths taking us to Moorhouse and Little Fellside to reach the Cumbrian Way, leading to Potts Hill, Crook Bank, Nether Row, we carry on through fields and tracks to Street head, Town Head back to Caldbeck for the cafe and shops, John Peels grave and the Priests Mill.
