April
8:00am Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return
A Walk – Blencathra & Lonscale Fell with Graham Hogg
9½ Miles / 15.5km with 3,477ft / 1060m Total AscentToday, we alight the coach in the village of Threlkeld.
Our route commences uphill, almost immediately, as we ascend by the side of Gategill and then by the narrowing and airy ridge on Hall’s Fell.
Wainwright described Hall’s Fell Ridge as: “positively the finest way to any mountain top in the district” – high praise indeed.
As we ascend, there are sections of easy scrambling. However, most of this can be safely avoided by following the path, if you are not so inclined to “get to grips” with the rock. If the weather is clear, the views looking back down the ridge will provide some great photo opportunities, so make sure to bring your camera or smart phone.
All too soon, the excitement of the ridge is left behind us as we reach the summit of Blencathra (868m).
From the top, our onward route takes a wide arc, first out to Atkinson Pike (845m) to view anyone braving the ascent up the razor like Sharp Edge, then onto Mungrisdale Common (633m) and the Cloven Stone.
From the point marked “The Stake” on the OS map, we now have a 315 metre climb up to the summit of Lonscale Fell (715m) via the Burnt Horse ridge. Descent to Keswick will be made via the main Skiddaw path to eventually pick up the Cumbria Way around Latrigg.
High Spy and Cat Bells with Stuart Arnold
9½ Miles / 15.3km with 2,000ft / 610m Total AscentThe coach will drop us off at Seatoller at the head of the Borrowdale valley for a linear walk.
We will head north from Seatoller on the Allerdale Ramble way and then climb up Tongue Gill passing Rigghead Quarries up onto High Spy the highest point on the walk. We then follow the ridge over Maiden Moor and down Cat Bells. We descend into Skellgill Bank and enter the wooded area of Fawe Park. Our return to Keswick is then straightforward through Portinscale.
Derwent Water with Barbara Gilbert & Christine Davies
10 Miles / 1600km with 100ft / 30.48m Total AscentThe walk begins in Keswick walking towards the Theatre and Lake. Firstly we go underneath the subway to reach the shoreline of Derwent Water. Continuing straight ahead for 1/3 miles to reach the rocky promontory of Friars Crag before doubling back to the memorial of John Ruskin then heading downwards to gates at the bottom of the slope.
We proceed along here for sometime before reaching a landing stage at Ashness Bridge, where will will ascend to the road until reaching Kettlewell car park. Further on we arrive at the Lodore Falls Hotel then reaching a sign posted (Manesty) and crossing the bridge. The way continues for several miles along the shoreline before crossing the road at Lingholm before joining another path signposted (Keswick). We arrive at the jetty at Nichol End before proceeding to Portinscale village, crossing a suspension bridge to return to Keswick in time for refreshments.
Whist this seems a long walk, the breathtaking views make up for it. As we make our way around Derwent Water we will see many of the surrounding hills for example Catbells.
We hope you will enjoy this walk.
The Cumbria Way with Chris Cook
6½ Miles / 10.5km with 200ft / 61m Total AscentWe have a lovely ride to Keswick before taking the B5289 to the Borrowdale Valley.
We leave the coach at the Borrowdale Hotel to take a path through the fields to join the Cumbria Way. From here we head north along paths, with Derwent Water to our right, more or less all the way to Portinscale.
There will be a little road walking before we reach Keswick, but it should be a very pleasant walk.
Happy Days.
