August
Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return
11.25 Miles / 19km with 2625ft / 800m Total Ascent
The Caldbeck Fells are predominantly grassy hills comprising an extensive tract of upland known colloquially as ‘the Back o’Skidda’, a remote area reminiscent of the North Pennines. From Caldbeck, we follow the Cumbria Way southwards to Nether Row before tackling High Pike (658m/2,159ft) and a traversing an ill-defined ridge over a number of minor undulations including Hare Stones, Great Lingy Hill and Iron Crag, the latter the most recent elevation in England to be added to its various lists of 2,000 footers. On a clear day there are excellent views across the Solway Firth to the hills of Galloway and the Southern Uplands. Once across a boggy col, we climb directly to the featureless summit of Knott, which at 710m/2,329ft is the highest of the Caldbeck Fells. A broad ridge leads to the flat-topped outlier of Great Sca Fell and then Brae Fell (both Wainwright tops for those interested), from where a long descent takes us to a ford across Dale Beck, which may require the removal of boots! It’s then back to Caldbeck by way of Fell Side and various lanes and tracks.
10 Miles / 17km with 1837ft /560m Total Ascent
We leave the coach at Caldbeck and head west along Whelpo Beck to a footbridge. We then go generally south to Little Fellside and join a path taking us on the 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 the Lakeland hills to the south.
Our descent takes us via Low Pike to the disused mine at Birket then down towards Wood Hall, Hudscales and Townhead back to Caldbeck.
8 Miles / 12.8km with 1100ft / 335m Total Ascent
Leaving the coach we join the Cumbria way heading east through Parson's Park. Coming out of the wood we drop down a steep path to join a route which takes us to Hesket Market. Passing through the village we join a field path which takes us to Wood Hall. Here the start of the climb begins as we climb up to Stony bank and a path that traverses round the fellside to join a path which descends to Nether Row.
We then cross fields to Potts Hill and begin our return to Caldbeck through fields via Wath and Townhead.
Miles / km with ft / m Total Ascent
No details available.