14/01/2007 Coach - Hawkshead

January

8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return

Hows, Holme Fell & Black Fell with Dave Colbert

11 miles (18km) with 2,350ft (720m) Total Ascent.

When did an 'A' Walk last start in Hawkshead I hear you cry! Never, as far as I can recall, so, as Monty Python would put it: "And now for something completely different". This will definitely not give you altitude sickness, but it is an interesting walk through a varied landscape of trees, water and fell, offering magnificent views of the Coniston and Langdale fells in particular. The rugged height of Holme Fell lies to the east of Wetherlam, its steep flanks giving quite an airy feel to a hill which only just breaks through the l000ft / 305m contour. Black Fell, on the other hand, is more open, lying to the north of Tarn Hows; on a clear day the views from its summit are well worth the extra climb.

Starting from Hawkshead we climb to Hawkshead Hill and head across to Rose Castle for the classic view over Tarn Hows. (Weather permitting) Passing to the south of the lake we then descend to the Ambleside - Coniston road and ascend Holme Fell (1040ft / 317m) by way of Harry Guards Wood and Uskdale Gap. A steep descent takes us down to Hodge Close and its famous hole in the ground from where we head for Black Fell (1060ft / 323m), crossing the Ambleside - Coniston road at Oxen Fell High Cross. The final ascent is an out-and-back affair of around 11½ miles in total but is worth it for the views from the summit. We return to Hawkshead through Knipe Fold and Hawkshead Hall.

High Blind How & Latterbarrow with Tony Ingham
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent.

We leave Hawkshead across farmland travelling in a north easterly direction until we reach Low Wray. At this point we turn south and follow the Windermere shoreline to Belle Grange where we start the day's climbing, initially rising to 656ft /200m on The Heald.

Heading south along The Heald we pass the Crier of Claife to reach Low Blind How where we turn north west to High Blind How (886ft / 270m) and continue in this direction for a few miles to the National Trust Base Camp near High Wray. From here we climb the north face (!!!!) of Latterbarrow (800ft / 244m), descend westwards to Loanthwaite, then to Colthouse and back to Hawkshead.

Far Sawrey with Colin Hunt
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent.

Leaving Hawkshead we make for Loanthwaite Lane and the foot of Latterbarrow. We go round the eastern side of Latterbarrow and make for Belle Grange on the shore of Windermere. Here we turn right and go down the lake for about 11¼ miles before heading for Far Sawrey. Leaving Far Sawrey we go to Moss Eccles Tam, Wise Een Tarn and Highs Moss. Here we make for Guide Post 10 and then head west to Hawkshead.

Hawkshead with Alison & Lesley
5½ miles (8.9km) with 286ft (78m) Total Ascent.

Hope you all had a happy Christmas and that you enjoy the first walk of the New Year. We begin our walk from Hawkshead car park (toilets available). Taking a north east route over the fields we cross Black Beck on our way towards Loanthwaite Lane. At the lane we take the left hand path to Outgate. Continuing north we begin a pleasing stretch of path, passing Spika Coppice on our left and Blelham Tarn on our right, until we reach the road. There is then a short road walk passing the Dower House and the Vicarage, after which we join a path heading South West toward Hole House and Tock How. On a fine day the view of the distant mountains is pleasing. Crossing the fields back to Loanthwaite Lane we rejoin our original path back into Hawkshead for refreshments.

19/11/2006 Coach - Pateley Bridge

 
November
8:30 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

Guise Cliff & Brimham Rocks with Allan Benson
11½ miles (18.5km) with 1105ft (340m) Total Ascent.

Today's walk is relatively flat for an 'A' walk but with wonderful varied countryside, a river walk, woods, pastures, part of the Nidderdale Way and a little bit of history at Yorke's Folly and Brimham Rocks.

We start our walk from Pateley Bridge where our first climb is to Guise Cliff via some disused quarries. From the cliff we make our way, via the river Nidd and a gentle climb, to Brimham Rocks. Here there is a Visitor's Centre and Cafè with information about the history of the gritstone rock formation. From the summit of Brimham Rocks we return to Pateley Bridge via the Nidderdale Way in time for a well deserved brew.

Brimham Rocks with Peter Stevens
Miles / km with ft / m Total Ascent

The walk today, for a B+ is relatively easy; this reflex’s the time of year and possibly the weather, also Brimham Rocks are worthy of spending a little time looking around these fantastic prehistoric rock formations.

The walk, which starts and ends in Pateley Bridge (toilets available), follows the river Nidd westerly for approximately 2½ miles, before leaving it to climb north east passing Knox Hall to Smelthouses, and then passed High Wood Farm to reach Brimham Rocks. This is one of the highest points in the area (978ft – 301mtr) and affords an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. A Café and Museum about the history of the rocks should be open, so we can spend a little time here before turning west and heading back. Leaving the rocks, we head north for a short while before joining the Nidderdale Way which we follow back to Pateley Bridge and the waiting coaches.

Pateley Bridge Perambulation with Eric Jackson
7 miles (11.25km) with 1000ft (305m) Ascent.

We start nice and easy with a stroll down the Nidd to Glasshouses then continuing alongside the river for another mile or so before entering Lead Wath Wood and climbing to Abraham Cliff. From here we now follow the edge of Guise Cliff (good views of the Nidd valley) and on to Yorke's Folly. We now make our way down via Skrikes Wood and Brewerley reaching Pateley Bridge in time for a brew.

Around the Nidd with Alison & Lesley
6 miles (9.7km) with 574ft (175m) Ascent.

Leaving Pateley Bridge we walk north through the park on the West side of the river Nidd. Veering left towards Brigg House we continue across small fields to a road. After a quick pause to view the water wheel we begin to walk along Grange Lane. Taking the first footpath on our left we follow Ashfold Side Beck and begin a gentle climb up through the caravan parks, with pleasant views behind us. Joining the Nidderdale Way, the path leads us up to the mines, where we weave our way through a couple of small spoil heaps.

Still following the path as it begins to turn southeast at Providence House, we begin our slow descent, if it’s a clear day there should be good views across the valley. Passing Ladies Riggs, before reaching Eagle Hall we turn left and cut across the fields into Bridgehouse Gate and back once again to Pateley Bridge. The majority of this walk is on good paths, mainly small lanes and tracks. The climbing is very gradual and there are very few stiles.

22/10/2006 Coach - Grasmere via Great Langdale

 

October

8:30 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

High Raise via Jack's Rake with Allan Benson
8 miles (12.8km) with 2650ft (808m) Total Ascent.

Today's walk starts in Great Langdale and finishes in Grasmere.

We start from the New Hotel and follow Stickle Ghyll to the dam and Stickle Tarn. From the tarn we climb Pavey Ark via Jack's Rake. Note: For anyone who has not climbed Jack's Rake, it is classified as a rock climb: its grading is easy but, none the less, as a walk it is a little difficult and awkward. The most awkward scrambling occurs in the initial stages and once started, it is easier to go on. On a fine day it is well worth climbing. Quite an achievement! Give yourself a pat on the back.

After climbing Jack's Rake we reach the summit of Pavey Ark at 2280ft/695m. From the summit we continue climbing the ridge to High Raise (2500ft/762m). Here we start our descent to Grasmere, making our way to Greenup Edge and then heading in an easterly direction, via Easedale, to Grasmere in time, we hope, for a well deserved brew.

Sergeant Man with Barry Mather
7 miles (11.3km) with 2400ft (732m) Ascent.

We set off from Stickle Barn, Langdale, making quite a steep ascent up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. From here we head west, still climbing, to Thunacar Knott and on to Sergeant Man from where we have magnificent views of the surrounding fells. It is now more or less downhill all the way, passing Easedale Tarn and Sour Milk Gill waterfall, to Grasmere arriving in time for well earned refreshments.

Huntingstile Crag with Dorothy Shackleton
7½ miles (12km) with 1090ft (332m) Ascent.

Starting from the car park outside of the village we go up the lane opposite the church for about a mile. We usually come back down this lane so this is a change with views across the lake that are often missed. The gradual climb to Huntingstile Crag is soon over. The descent to Elterwater is not too steep and here we join the Cumbria Way to Skelwith Bridge passing the Slate Gallery. From here we walk along the B5343 to a path through Neaum Wood, below Little Loughrigg, and up through caravan site to meet a lane near Loughrigg Tarn. A short walk along this lane takes us to a footpath on the right which crosses a field to another lane. We walk along this lane to Redbank Wood and on to Loughrigg Terrace at the end of which we descend to a footbridge across the River Rothay. A walk through the woods alongside the river bring us to the A591. We cross this to White Moss Common and go uphill to a quiet lane which leads us down to Dove Cottage on the A591 which we cross again and back to the car park.

Rydal Water Circular with Irene & Rita
5 miles (8km) with 300ft (91m) Ascent.

We start our walk in Grasmere Village, proceeding past Dove Cottage to the track eastwards through woodland and past a small tarn which takes us onto a grassy path to Rydal Hall, with scenic views over Rydal Water and the fells beyond. We go down to the A591 and a stile which leads to the footpath along the west bank of Rydal Water. Across the footbridge between Grasmere and Rydal Water the path takes us through trees back to the A591 and Grasmere Village. We hope you enjoy today's walk.

12/03/2006 Coach - Braithwaite via Keswick

 

March

8:30 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

Ard Crags & Robinson with Dave Colbert
12½ miles (20km) with 3200ft (980m) Total Ascent.

"Ard Crags? Where the heck is that?" I can almost hear the cries as I write this! In trying to find something different in the Keswick area - we climbed both Skiddow and Crag Hill / Grasmoor last year - I remembered traversing this ridge on my tod years ago and thinking it was one to do again. But where is it? Look to the south of Causey Pike / Scar Crags / Sail Ridge and there it is, off the beaten track and not even a 2000 footer. So how come we will climb over 3000 today? Come on the walk and find out.

Starting at Braithwaite we follow Newlands Beck southwards for some distance to Ghyll Bank beyond Stair where we cross it to reach the road at Rowling End Farm. Sounds familiar? But, rather than slog it up Rowling End, we head up the valley of Rigg Beck and tackle Ard Crags (1906ft/581m) head on via Aikin Knott - I assure you Ard is not short for Hard! Then follows a delightful ridge walk, narrow and airy but never exposed, to Knott Rigg before we descend back into the valley at Keskadale farm. Our next task is to pay a visit to Mrs Tiggywinkle, so off we go to Little Town and the hill of the mammal that rings. Finally we head to Keswick where we pick up the coaches (not literally), the route taking us through Fawe Park and across the bouncy bridge to Portinscale.

Cat Bells with Tony Ingham
9.5 miles (15.3km) with 1312ft (400m) Ascent.

This will be a familiar walk for many but none the worse for that. Today we will be starting from Braithwaite heading south along Newlands Beck for 2 miles (3.2km) to Ghyll Bank. From here we turn north east to Hawes End. After levelling out for a while, and taking lunch at this point, we then climb to the top of Cat Bells at 1476ft/450m. We descend from Cat Bells to Manesty at the southern tip of Derwent Water. Here we start heading through the woodlands of Manesty Park and Brandlehow Park alongside the lake. This takes us back to near Hawes End where we pick up the Allerdale Ramble route and walk past Lingholm and through Fawe Park to Portinscale. At the northern end of the village we cross the River Derwent and go east across open land into Keswick where we will pick up the coaches. This is a varied walk incorporating a stiff climb, two short scrambles, woodland, open fields and lakeside and beckside paths.

Around Cat Bells and Newlands with Eric Jackson
8 miles (13km) with 1250ft (381m) Ascent.

Starting from the main road in Portinscale we make our way through the village and into Fawe Park woods. It is possible that we might see red squirrels as they end their hibernation. On now to Hawes End at the base of Cat Bells. Don't panic, we are not going up this end! We take the path along the slopes with good views overlooking Derwent Water. As we reach the end of the lake we too have a steepish climb up to Hause Gate, then down to Little Town in Newlands. From here it is a pleasant stroll to Braithwaite via Skelgill, Stair and along Newlands Beck.

Derwent Bay with Irene & Steve Watson
5½ miles (8.8km) with 300ft (91.5m) Ascent.

As we get off the coach in Keswick there will be time for toilets and a quick coffee if required. We then take the path for Portinscale. After a short distance along the road we take the path to Nichol End and join the old miner's track (Cumbria Way) to Derwent Bank and Hawse End. A good track takes us on to Skelgill Farm and then down to Stair village. From here we follow Newlands Beck northwards to Braithwaite: toilets and we hope an open cafe but, if it is closed, there are several pubs.