Running circuit of Loweswater

A 10km circuit on a glorious November day.

Route: leaving the car in the substantial lay-by to the west end of Loweswater (by a former phone box) and heading west along the road, spurning the next right turn but taking an unsigned route through a gate and across a bridge in the direction of Graythwaite Farm but following the right of way left across damp grass and then right up to and through the farm before turning left to follow a path and then muddy track uphill (past a farmer erecting a fence, seemingly across the track and encouraging us to limbo under it!). Continuing at a walk more steeply uphill to reach the plateau and ignoring two routes to the left continuing slightly downhill (still very muddy) to reach the Mosser fell road. Turning right and ascending slightly before descending to the road along the northern shore of Loweswater and following this, slightly uphill to the turn for Maggie’s Bridge. Taking this to run down to the parking area and on along the obvious track along the south-west side of Loweswater (now diverted through the farmyard in the closing stages). Running along wide, clear, level paths through the trees along the south shore, with views across the lake to Darling Fell, eventually climbing to Hudson Place and running down the road towards Waterend and turning right on the shortcut footpath back to the initial lay-by.

Conditions: an initially frosty and then gloriously sunny day (though the low sun making photography difficult).

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, for Cumbrian Ales Langdale.

Kendal to Staveley 14km run

A 13.9km run along the river.

Route: leaving the house and descending Oxenholme Road to Romney Bridge to pick up the riverside path and then along the pavement to the path by the Abbot Hall. After the footbridge diverting left because of flood works and then along the New Road new park, spuriously choosing to cross the new footbridge (Tim’s first time!) to Thorny Hills, back over Stramongate Bridge and then along the river. By the footbridge from Mintsfeet, descending to a muddy track along the river, exiting onto Aikrigg Avenue and along Burneside Road before taking a right turn onto another muddy track under the houses on Kentrigg and then round the Carus Green golf course (again very muddy) to join the paved footpath along Burneside Road to Burneside, diverting right along the park and then right on the c-road past Croppers’ paper mill to the Dales Way. 

Across fields by the river to Bowston Bridge and then staying on the east of the river, past Cowan Head to Haggs Bridge. Again staying on the east of the river along a woodland track through Beckmickle Ing (perilous roots hidden by leaves) to join the Staveley ‘back road’ past the sewage works and then across fields to the footbridge into the Mill Yard.

Conditions: Warm sunshine (with tiny spits of rain in the air between Burneside and Bowston)! Forecast rain arriving only after finishing.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Cumbrian Mosaic (keg) and Prime Porter (with a wake going on downstairs).

Arnside Knott

A solitary 5-mile run for L on a beautiful, sunny November day, leaving T in JJ Crossfield’s (for the first time) resting after his run the day before.

Route: Leaving the car on the promenade at Arnside and setting off on the coastal paved path but diverting onto the beach, switching between rocks, grass and wet sand to avoid the constant flow of people and, in this way, running round to the cove at New Barns and on to the next cove beyond Blackstone Point. Somewhere here climbing onto a path along the very edge of the low cliffs to Far Arnside to avoid flooding at beach level. Keeping the cliffs as close as possible on the right as long as possible, reaching a dead end underneath the far end of the caravan park and having to double back to cut through to exit the complex, and shortly after turn left up by Hollins Farm and uphill onto the Knott. At the crosspaths beyond a wall, going straight ahead and eventually peeling off right to come to the viewpoint from the east through trees. Leaving the summit on a tiny path leading north and then northwest, leading down to a minor road, dog-legging right and left over a cattle grid, and continuing on a wide grassy highway down northwards to join Saul’s Drive/Knott Lane and turn right at the junction with New Barns Road onto the path along the north side of Dobshall Wood. At the end cutting along Redhills Road to Silverdale Road and there turning left to run down to the front.

Conditions: bright and sunny (9C) with clear views.

Pub: JJ Crossfield, Arnside, for Lancaster Brewery Red, Ossett Brewery Yorkshire Blonde and a light lunch.

Burneside to Staveley 10km run

A 10.5km ‘jog’ (walking the uphills) from Burneside to Staveley while Lois was at a training day.

Route: taking the 10:33 Saturday train from Oxenholme to Burneside and crossing the river via Bridge Street and heading east to find the Dales Way path and then north west for two fields before diverting north to cross the road and continue across fields to Braben House and thence by track to cross the Fell Road to Mirefoot. Walking uphill to Potter Tarn and then running down to Birk Field, along the road to Ghyll Field and thus downhill across fields to cross Hall Lane and descend past Low Elfhowe and then back along the track through Scroggs Farm to footbridge at the rear of the Millyard. 

Conditions: grey and gloomy but dry.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Cumbrian Five Hop.