Elterwater Waterfalls Walk
Statistics:
Start: Elterwater
Start (OS ref): NY328047
Map (1:25,000): OL7 English Lakes South East area
Parking: Car park in Elterwater
Distance: 4.8 miles (7.8 km)
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Fairly Easy
Climbing: 244 metres
Hazards: Some roadside walking
Refreshments:Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge
Summary:
Waterfalls are always fascinating attractions and this easy going Lake District walk visits two very different cascading forces, small compact Skelwith Force and the larger multi spouted Colwith Force. Coupled with a pleasant walk past shallow Elter Water and a brief fell climb to High Hacket this delightful circular has it all without being too challenging. As the walk never rises above 200 metres it is a perfect option for walking in the Lakes when the weather closes in. Also the waterfalls are at their best after rain so pick a time to walk just after a low pressure belt has passed over the area. You will then definitely know when you are nearing one of the falls after rain for you will hear them from some distance. This is a memorable walk and one I will certainly do again.
Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge Walk
Statistics:
Start: Ambleside Church
Start (OS ref): NY374043
Map (1:25,000): OL7 English Lakes South East area
Parking: Car parks in Ambleside
Distance: 3.4 miles (5.4 km)
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Fairly Easy
Climbing: 225 metres
Hazards: Some roadside walking in Skelwith Bridge
Refreshments:Ambleside
Summary:
This is a pleasant walk which is perfect as an introduction to walking in the Lake District. The walk is popular and is suitable for people of all ages including courting couples and those with young families. The route has all the features you would expect from a Lakeland walk with some climbing, some fell walking, a descent and even a visit to a tarn. The initial climb out of Ambleside to Loughrigg Fell is the toughest part of the walk so you’ll be glad to know it is soon polished off leaving the rest of the walk a pleasant experience at an elevation with lovely views. The visit to Loughrigg Tarn is also special as it is in a lovely setting. And when the walk is completed you can celebrate with a drink in Skelwith Bridge. And if you are still feeling good you can always walk back!
Coniston Fells Walk
Statistics:
Start: Coniston Bridge
Start (OS ref): SD302976
Map (1:25,000): OL6 English Lakes South West
Parking: Car parks or side streets in Coniston
Distance: 9.5 miles (15.2 km)
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard with strenuous climbing and steep descents.
Climbing: 1,205 metres
Hazards: Some scrambling required
Refreshments: Coniston
Summary:
The walk on the Coniston Fells with the brilliant ridge walk between The Old Man Of Coniston and Swirl How has been a favourite of mine ever since I first walked it a few years ago. The stiff climb to the Old Man, the ridge and then the exciting crossing of the Prison Band to Wetherlam was a memorable experience on my first walk in Coniston. This time I wanted to make the walk even more interesting and thus after all the classic bits I planned a different route from Wetherlam back to Coniston. Instead of heading straight back I drew up a course which would take me north east on Wetherlam Edge to Birk Fell and then on a circuit of the fell to Tilberthwaite Gill. From the gill I would follow the path through Hole Rake to Coniston. Join me on the walk and I’ll try to convince you to try it. It was absolutely superb with the beautiful and quiet Tilbertwaite area making for a fitting conclusion to a brilliant walk.
Newlands Horseshoe Walk
Statistics:
Start: Chapel Bridge, Little Town
Start (OS ref): NY233195
Map (1:25,000): OL4 The English Lakes North Western area
Parking: Car park to the south of the village near Chapel Bridge
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.7 km)
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard with strenuous climbs and descents including one easy scramble from Robinson
Climbing: 1,024 metres
Hazards: Constant care needed on the scramble down from Robinson
Refreshments:None
Summary:
Given a clear day this is possibly the most scenic walk in the North Western area of the Lake District. Whilst the walk never reaches the lofty heights of a Scafell or Helvellyn (the highest point is Dale Head at 753m) the views available are magnificent, particularly to the Skiddaw and Blencathra massifs in the north east. It is a classic horseshoe walk around the beautiful pastoral Newlands valley and although the walk aims for ridges as much as possible it is an undulating circuit with three separate ascents and descents - although most are easy - that is apart the first ascent and last descent which are anything but. The work is worth it though and if you are in this area and the day is set fair then I recommend you take this walk. The awesome views will just blow you away.
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell Walk
Statistics:
Start: Old Hotel, Great Langdale
Start (OS ref): NY286061
Map (1:25,000): OL6 English Lakes South West
Parking: National Trust Car Park
Distance: 9.2 miles (14.8 km)
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard with strenuous climbs and descents
Climbing: 1,086 metres
Hazards: Difficult climbs and scrambles (optional) on Crinkle Crags
Refreshments: Old Hotel (check opening hours)
Summary:
The Crinkle Crags had always fascinated me simply because of their cranky name and so on my umpteenth trip to the Lake District I decided I would finally explore them. Crinkle Crags are so called because of their profile, a succession of abrupt undulations on a high long ridge. There are five distinct ‘crinkles’ and in the company of best pal Steve I looked forward to my roller coaster walk over all five. The walk started by leaving Great Langdale and walking due west into neighbouring Oxendale before climbing besides Browney Gill to round Great Knott and then onto the Crinkle Crags. To make the walk even more memorable I had decided to include an ascent of nearby Bowfell, a majestic mountain at the head of Great Langdale and one of England’s highest. The conclusion to the walk involved a descent to Angle Tarn before a short climb over Rossett Pike to descend by the side of Rossett Gill into Mickleden and finally following Mickleden Beck on the Cumbria Way back to our start at the Old Hotel in Great Langdale.
Mosedale Horseshoe Walk
Statistics:
Start: Overbeck Bridge
Start (OS ref): NY168068
Map (1:25,000): OL4 English Lakes North West
OL6 English Lakes South West
Parking: Car park at Overbeck Bridge
Distance: 10.2 miles (16.3 km)
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard with fairly strenuous ascents and descents - some short easy scrambles
Climbing: 1,371 metres
Hazards: Care needed particularly on climb from Pillar Rock to Pillar and the scramble onto Yewbarrow
Refreshments:None
Summary:
The Mosedale Horseshoe is without doubt one of the most exciting day long walks in the Lake District. It is essentially a circular which begins on the northern banks of Wast Water. From this lowest point the walk climbs steadily through Wasdale into Mosedale and then follows Black Sail Pass onto the Pillar ridge at Looking Stead. Here the first alternative is taken by following the ridge onto Pillar or dropping onto the High Level Route to Robinson’s Cairn and Pillar Rock before climbing steeply to the summit. After Pillar the walk involves a ridge crossing (with brilliant views) to Scoat Fell and then on to Red Pike before descending to Dore Head and the edge of Yewbarrow. Here the second alternative awaits. If feeling good then climb and scramble Stirrup Crag onto Yewbarrow. If a little fatigued then simply follow the contour path alongside Over Beck before making a final short steep descent back to the car park to conclude this fantastic walk.
Pavey Ark via Jack’s Rake Walk
Statistics:
Start: Car park at Rossett, Great Langdale
Start (OS ref): NY293063
Map (1:25,000): OL6 English Lakes South West
Parking: Car Park (cost £3 for a stay of over 4 hrs - 2003 prices)
Distance: 6.6 miles (10.7 km)
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard
Climbing: 705 metres
Hazards: Care and a head for heights needed on the Grade 1 scramble on Jack’s Rake
Refreshments:Hotel (half a mile from the car park)
Summary:
A fantastic walk that involves a spectacular scramble to the top of Pavey Ark via Jack’s Rake. The Rake is classed as a grade 1 scramble and it does involve regular use of your arms to pull you up to some of the steeper parts of the ascent. There are also some places that are extremely exposed so a head for heights is certainly required. Having said that the scramble is not at all difficult for experienced fell walkers. It’s just the initial nerves that need to be conquered just as it was for me on my first climb of the rake about three years ago. The walk itself takes us from the car park at Rossett just off the B5343 by following Stickle Ghyll upstream to Stickle Tarn. On the other side of the tarn is Pavey Ark so then it’s straight up Jack’s Rake to height where all the Langdale Pikes are available to explore. We had started late so our walk took us to Thunacar Knott and then down to meet the Cumbria Way path and follow it down Stake Gill to Mickleden and then back to our starting point.
Helvellyn and Striding Edge Walk
Statistics:
Start: Legburthwaite (0.25 mile off the A591)
Start (OS ref): NY318190
Map (1:25,000): OL5 English Lakes North East
Parking: Car Park (about 40 spaces)
Distance: 9.8 miles (15.7 km)
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard
Climbing: 1,302 metres
Hazards: Strenuous climbing and descending. There is also some scrambling on Striding Edge
Refreshments:None
Summary:
I had walked up Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Glenridding on a previous occasion. Dave and Steve hadn’t, so on a trip to the Lakes some years ago I convinced them to do it. As we were staying in our usual haunt, Keswick we did the walk from Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass and Raise. This would make Striding Edge easier as you can see what you are letting yourself in for whereas from Glenridding you don’t know what you face on the edge until you are faced with it. Despite my reassurances Steve and Dave were still nervous as we set off on the walk. A walk with its usual diversions as they usually are when the three of us walk together.
Fairfield, Great Rigg and Heron Pike Walk
Statistics:
Start: Travellers Rest pub at side of A591
Start (OS ref): NY336088
Map (1:25,000): OL5 The English Lakes North East area OL7 The English Lakes South East area
Parking: Grass verges on A591 or side roads
Distance: 9.8 miles (15.8 km)
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard
Climbing: 1,258 metres
Hazards: Steep ascents and descents
Refreshments:Grasmere
Summary:
This walk is a nice warm up to a spell of fell walking in the Lake District as it involves a steady climb from Mill Bridge on the A591 to Grisedale Tarn and then a steep push up to the summit of Fairfield.
From here on its a gentle walk at height to Great Rigg and Heron Point enjoying beautiful views all around until descending to the outskirts of Rydal. Then follow a bridleway to Town End before bracing yourself for another steep climb to Grey Crag and Butter Crag before descending and then ambling back to your starting point near the Travellers Rest pub.
You could call in at the pub for a well earned beverage. After all you will certainly have deserved it!
Scafell and Scafell Pike Walk
Statistics:
Start: Farm at the end of the road at Seathwaite
Start (OS ref): NY235122
Map (1:25,000): OL4 The English Lakes North West area
OL6 The English Lakes South West area
Parking: Road verges near the farm
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Time: 7 - 10 hours
Difficulty: Very Hard with fairly strenuous scrambling both up and down
Climbing: 1,539 metres
Hazards: Constant care needed particularly in Lord’s Rake and on the Foxes Tarn descent
Refreshments: None
Summary:
Sca Fell via Lord’s Rake and Scafell Pike is a glorious challenging walk. I find this route to the highest point in England has many great moments. There is so much to enjoy including Stockley Beck, Stockley Bridge, Styhead Tarn, Round How, Pulpit Rock, Lord’s Rake, the views to Wast Water, Sca Fell, Foxes Tarn, Mickledore, Broad Stand, Scafell Pike itself, the waterfalls, Broad Crag, Great End, Esk Hause and the walk back to Seathwaite which provides superb views of the Borrowdale valley. The walk is not overly long at 10 miles but it is strenuous. There is over 1,500 metres of climbing to do!
The fantastic views are undoubtedly amongst the best England can offer and of course the achievement at the end of it all is particularly satisfying. Just hope for good weather conditions when you do this walk to appreciate it all for there is no doubt that the walk is so much better when you can see the fantastic sights this classic has to offer.