Staveley / Dales Way 6km run

A 6km riverside run with a walk in the woods towards the end.

Route: from the Staveley Mill Yard, west along Kendal Road to the left turn onto the Dales Way just before the level crossing and following paths across fields to run along the river bank to Haggs Bridge. Over this and then left along a path eventually rejoining the road. Left along this and then right at the track but turning immediately left off this to explore, at a walk, a track/path through woodland, eventually rising to reach the tarmac drive to Spring Hag. Continuing on the lower path but turning right into Mike's Wood and making the most of exploring this eventually to exit onto a track, then road, down past Craggy Plantation and thence to the start.

Conditions: a cool (in the wind) and cloudier day after a sunny spell.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Hawkshead Windermere Pale and Humbolt Double IPA

Long How and Nether How from Buttermere

A tiny 2km expedition on the way to a pint.

Route: leaving the car at the Buttermere NT car park (free for NT members) and for the first time taking the gate out of the car park to the north. Following it left at the first apparent junction but then heading right uphill at the next climbing to the top of Long How. Retracing a little way and continuing north to reach the shore of Crummock. Turning left along the shore, across a footbridge and initially round but then sharply up Nether How. Descending to the west and then following the path back via the entrance to the Syke Farm campsite and hence to the Bridge Hotel.

Conditions: a cold wind but bright sun and blue sky.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Tractor Shed Mowdy Pale Ale.

Watendlath linear stroll

A 9km linear walk, returning by bus.

Route: leaving the car at the Great Wood car park under Walla Crag (free for NT members) and taking the path southwards, climbing to a footbridge (ignoring the left turn up Walla Crag) and then descending and continuing for 1.5km on a kind of balcony path, a couple of hundred feet above the lake. Joining the road at Ashness Bridge and walking up it to the Surprise View and then a clear path leading off to the right. Crossing a footbridge to the other side of Watendlath Beck and walking in parallel to it to Watendlath. Then heading uphill south-west via Pudding Stone Bank and descending towards Rosthwaite but diverting left on the path towards Seathwaite and then back along the Cumbria Way to improve the timing of the pub, beer and bus. After a pint, catching a surprisingly full 78 bus back to the car park.

Conditions: 4C and cold in the breeze but warmer in sunny spells.

Pub: the Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite, for Tirril Old Faithful and Hobgoblin Ruby.

Scout Scar run

A 4km run constituting an Outdoor Day because it was T’s first since November and carried fatigue-related jeopardy.

Route: forced to turn back on the Brigsteer Road because of building work for a new housing estate, parking at the quarry on the Underbarrow Road. Crossing to the Scar and heading half left on a clear path staying, initially, 20m from the wall but later running beside it. Along past the gate to the left, to the trig point and then to the Gate-in-the-Corner. Taking a diagonal route off piste to join the path to Dave’s Cairn and then along the edge of the escarpment at to the start, rather slowly in an icy headwind.

Conditions: cold and windy but beautifully sunny.

Pub: Romney's, Kendal, for Agnes' Ghost and Corby Blonde.