8miles (12.9km) with 2300ft (701m) Ascent.
10½ miles (16.9km) with 400ft (122m) Ascent.
6 miles (9.7km) with 450ft (137m) Ascent.
Please note that if it is windy, this walk may not be suitable for any club members who follow the fortunes of Stockport County.
From Addingham we cross the Wharfe and tackle Beamsley Beacon head on, following the well-defined ridge to Round Hill, at 409m/1,342ft the highest point of the walk and a tad higher than t’moor opposite. The lengthy descent from Little Gate along Lippersley Ridge leads to Ellarcarr Pike, from where a meandering route by way of Dunkirk, Smithy Lane and West Park Wood will hopefully bring us to the settlement of Middleton and a short descent to re-cross the Wharfe at Ilkley.
Starting in Ilkley we first go south along the Dales Way Link until we meet the Milennium Way which we follow westwards past the Swastika Stone, thought to be of Bronze Age origin.
Turning south on Long Ridge End, a part of Addingham High Moor, we walk to the edge of the forest and then turn south east along a 'not so dry' path to West Buck Stones. We continue to the Wireless Station at Whetstone Gate and then along a newly constructed path to the highest point on Ilkley Moor at 402m/1319ft.
We return to Ilkley via the 12 Apostles Stone Circle and the Cow and Calf rocks.
We climb southwards out of Ilkley then, once we have left the town behind, pick up the Ebor / Dales Way which we follow along the ridge, with views over the River Wharfe, until we reach the Millennium Way. We now turn westwards over Burley Moor and follow the Millennium Way to Horncliffe.
From here we make for the Dales Way Link and head back into Ilkley.
The Dales Way is some 84 miles long, from Ilkley to Bowness, mainly along river valleys; the C walk is a short section from Lobwood House to Ilkley in the other direction.
We begin our walk just past the Chelker Reservoir on the A65: no toilets apart from alfresco I’m afraid. We set off on field paths more or less on the level before descending steeply (450 ft /137m) to Lobwood House. Here we join the Dales Way which we follow all the way to Ilkley along the River Wharfe. The route is mainly flat with three short stepped rises to add interest! The ground was frozen solid during the recce so there may well be mud in places. There are some lovely views and several stiles – all well maintained. You may see crocuses, snowdrops and even a beach – we did!
Having heard that there is still a lot of ice and snow on Helvellyn, which would make the descent treacherous, I have planned a walk on the other side of the valley. Starting in Grasmere we climb Helm Crag to begin a superb ridge walk heading westwards which takes in Gibson Knot and Calf Crag. We then follow Greenup edge in a southerly direction to High Raise, the highest point on the walk at 2500ft/762m, and the centre of the Lakeland Fells with (I hope!) stunning views.
Our next summit is Sergeant Man followed by Blea Rigg after which we begin a steep descent to Easedale Tarn where we pick up Sourmilk Gill and Easedale Beck which lead us back to Grasmere.
Our walk today starts from the car/coach park just outside Grasmere (300ft/90mtr). Walking through the village, we turn onto Easedale Road and follow it to Mill Bridge. Crossing the road, we now start our ascent up the Tonge Gill path, past the waterfall to Grisedale Hause at 1800ft / 550mtr. Weather permitting, we now ascend to the summit of Seat Sandle at 2414ft / 736mtr, from where fine panoramic views can be seen making the climb well worth the effort.
Working our way back to Grisedale Hause, we now descend to Grisedale Tarn with Dollywaggon Pike looming over us on our right. We finish our main descent following Raise Beck path back to Dunmail Raise and the main road, making our way back to the coach and some well deserved refreshment.
Setting out from Grasmere over Goody Bridge the walk follows a stony track along the valley bottom before climbing gradually, alongside Sourmilk Gill, to Easdale Tarn. After looping around the edge of the tarn across an area which can be boggy at times we start the descent on the opposite side of Sourmilk Gill and back into Grasmere.
Starting from the coach park in Grasmere village we make our way to the A591 to reach Wordsworth's Cottage. After a walk up the lane we reach an undulating track known as the Coffin Trail. We now come to Rydal Hall before we descend back to the A591. Crossing over the road to Steps End Wood we soon come to the shore of Rydal Water.
We continue the walk until we come to woodland, descending to reach a footbridge near to White Moss. We take a left turn over the bridge and follow the path to the weir at the southern end of Grasmere. We now follow the shore of the lake before leaving the path to climb up the lane which leads us back to the village and the coaches.
We start today's walk in Ambleside at the junction of the Kirkstone Road and the A591. After making our way to Low Sweden Bridge we begin the gradual climb to Low Pike. The ridge continues to rise as we proceed to High Pike and then Dove Crag (2598ft/792m). From here we have a short descent before climbing again to Hart Crag (2697ft/822m)and then on to our highest point of the day - Fairfield at (2864ft/873m) From the summit, we head south-west to Great Rigg and then descend to Grasmere village via Heron Pike and Alcock Tarn.
Starting from Grasmere village we take the Easedale road and follow Sourmilk Gill up to Easedale Tarn. We climb steeply up to Codale Tarn and continue climbing to the path from Langdale to Chapel Stile. The views are superb from here on a good day. We continue past Eagle Crag, Blea Rigg, Great Castle How descending to Swinescar Hause to Wray Gill and its waterfalls. This comes as an unexpectedly beautiful gorge which we follow down towards Grasmere.
Leaving the coach at Windermere station we climb 400ft/122m to the summit of Orrest Head. We now descend to Moorhowe Road and then take Dubb Road past Dubbs Reservoir. When we meet the Garburn Road we go south west to Troutbeck. Here we go via Robin Lane and Skelghyll Wood to Ambleside or, should the weather be near perfect, we could go over Wansfell Pike. This second route is a little shorter but has more climbing and will only be taken if everything is favourable.
Today's walk is a circumnavigation of the picturesque waters of Grasmere and Rydal. I shall be relating a bit of the local history of the area as we go and explaining the use of the famous patented Ambleside Underwater Lawn Mowers and the savage Herdwick breed of sheep!
Heading out of Grasmere in a south east direction we pass Dove Cottage (the home of Wordsworth during his most creative period) and follow a well defined path beneath Nab Scar as we head for the tiny hamlet of Rydal. Over the main road we cross the River Rothay by way of Pelter Bridge (great for poo sticks!) and head for the south shore of Rydal Water. Leaving Rydal behind and picking up a little height we cross Loughrigg Terrace where fine views of Grasmere Water can be had. If weather conditions are poor we will take a lower path.
We stay close to the waters edge for some distance before leaving the wet stuff behind as we pick up a minor road to take us back to Grasmere in time for a brew and a bit of sight seeing before the coach ride and a snooze on the way home.