A 7km walk leaving a pre-birthday weekend in Coniston.Route: leaving the car in a disused quarry car park (GR198 920) on the road from Duddon Bridge to Ulpha and ascending parallel with a stream to reach a clear diagonal footpath heading south-east and eventually zigzagging onto the plateau. Continuing to join a bridleway and then descending slightly to take in the summit of Hovel Knott, then Little Stickle and then up to Great Stickle. Following an obvious if small path due north to join a bigger track skirting marshy ground and then heading for the very obvious path to the east shoulder of Stickle Pike. At the top of the shoulder heading left, pathlessly, to climb to the summit eventually meeting a path that would have climbed here from just a bit further north on the saddle. Descending on tiny sheep tracks down the north ridge and after a bit of fiddling (but on paths) reaching the bridleway that descends to Ulpha and walking 1km back up the road.
Conditions: initially cold with some drizzle. Later, sun and warmth.
Pub: the Manor Arms, Great Broughton, for Townhouse Charter, Firebrick Brewery Stella Spark, Logan Beck Brewing Off Target and Fyne Ales Jarl.
