Ling Fell and Seacross Lonning

A 7km Christmas Day walk.

Route: leaving the car by the side of the road at the entrance to Ling Fell near Eskin and climbing onto the fellside and uphill left to join a level track heading clockwise round the fell. After about one quarter circuit, heading sharply back right on a clear path very slowly climbing the fell. At about where the map shows it ending, turning left at a clear path crossroads and then following an obvious route (crossing other paths) to the summit. Continuing south-west and then west at a fork towards a wall and then right down a shallow valley then right parallel with the wall to a gate. For the first time, going through the gate and following a grassy path across a field approaching Green Lonning and joining this at Highside Farm. Descending the track to St Cuthbert's church (stopping in for a quick visit) and then east along the road to descend to a very wet and muddy Seacross Lonning. Following this to Wythop Mill and then taking a path shortcut back to reach the upper road and walk along to the car.

Conditions: after a bitterly cold and windy morning, slightly less cold and windy with some blue sky and even sun.

Pub: the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

Two Lorton lonnings

A 6km evening stroll in the gloaming.

Route: leaving the cottage and heading to Low Lorton and across Lorton Low Bridge to examine a demolished wall. Climbing the lane towards the Mosser Fell road over Fellbarrow but, just before open country, turning right along a muddy track/lonning descending gradually to Rogerscale (under a recently-fallen victim of Storm Arwen or perhaps Storm Barra). Back along the road to the village, past the shop to ascend the steep road towards Whinlatter to look at the new building at High Tenter. Turning left along the short lonning to the pass and back home along the road.

Conditions: a chill wind and dropping dark.

Pub? Tea/coffee and mince pie/lebkuche. Later G&T.

Underbarrow 5+km stroll

A 5km stroll on a wet and cloudy day.

Route: leaving the car at the Black Labrador, Underbarrow, and heading northeast on a road and then right on a footpath through a farm complex and onto wet fields, climbing. Passing through the muddy farmyard of Tranthwaite Hall and then along a track to a junction of paths, taking a route across fields to the west of a stream. Joining a clearer track heading north past Bell Hill on the left before turning left on another track to circumnavigate the hill and head south. Taking a track and then path to the right and - missing a possible turning - continuing on a wet Chapel Lane to the church in Underbarrow and then back along unmade lanes to the start.

Conditions: ground level cloud; light rain increasing.

Pub: The Black Labrador, Underbarrow, for Windermere Winter’s Tail and Fell Brewery Late Night John.

Wansfell Pike

A snowy walk with a surprisingly non-sick Neil.

Route: Leaving the car parked just over the river at the bottom of Troutbeck (perhaps 50m up the road) and taking Robin Lane round to the south of the fell, keeping with the lower track round to High Skelghyll. On entering the wood, taking a path rising diagonally eventually to reach the observatory and the ridge to the summit on snow. For the second time taking a path to the left and higher than the normal route, gaining the ridge sooner. Thence straight down the path to Nanny Lane and back to Troutbeck.

Conditions: initially cloudy and misty later clearing to some sun, though cold. Snow under foot.

Pub: the Watermill, Ings for Windermere Blonde, Winter’s Tail and (for Neil) lunch.

Brackenthwaite Hows run

A 6km run plus 1km walk back to the car 

Route: leaving the car at the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park and taking a steep shortcut to reach the start of the the small path up Robin’s Steps to the summit plateau of Brackenthwaite Hows. Descending south and picking up the path within the wood by its eastern wall to join the small path descending to the boat house. Thence, round the lake, round the ‘Horn’, along the further swimming beach to walk up the hillside beyond the wall and to join the higher level path from along the lake. Experimenting, by taking a faint path on the left to attempt to maintain altitude and cut a corner but in fact finding no continuing path and running across a steep slope on soft ground hidden by leaves (so, not to be repeated). Continuing round the end of Mellbreak before descending to the Kirkstile Inn for lunch. Afterwards walking back along the road to the car park. 

Conditions: cold but bright and sunny.

Pub: The Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater for Cumbrian Legendary Ales, Esthwaite Bitter, Vanilla Oatmeal Stout and lunch.

Scout Scar 6.5km

An Outdoor Day because, as the first post Couch to 5km solitary off-road run, there seemed to be some jeopardy. (T only; L at church.)

Route: Route: from the normal midway layby (at GR 494899), a short steep ascent then bearing left to reach and then descend the escarpment and south across the fields towards Helsington before bending right onto the green track with views of the estuary. At the three-way junction, taking the middle track at a walk to reach the top of Pook’s Peek, to the next gate heading back left and then right to reach the the cliff edge of the Scar to the trig point and then the Mushroom. Back to the trip point and through the gate in the wall corner to descend along the edge of the escarpment to the start.

Conditions: after a damp autumn, a lovely sunny day.

Pub: after an Asda shop, Romneys for Agnes Ghost and **

High Crag via Sheepbone Rake

A walk on a blustery day with Ian Rawe.

Route: leaving the car at the NT car park, Buttermere, and walking to the west side of the lake and ascending the steps towards Red Pike for 10m, then turning left onto a grassy horizontal track, parallel to the lakeside path. Following this - marshy and wet after recent rain - as far as a fork, shortly after a stream crossing, where bearing right on a fainter path to a stile out of the woods. Turning left along a faint path above a wall, then gaining height more steeply into Burtness Combe. Picking up the path to High Stile for a while before turning left off it to head back into the combe towards the start of Sheepbone Rake, which involved some hand over hand work over moss and bilberry plants. Eventually ascending the Rake on a mix of path and scree and then heading right, surprisingly steeply, up chimneys to the summit plateau. Changing plans because of the wind and descending to Scarth Gap and back along the west of the lake.

Conditions: dry and warm for November but very windy on the summit.

Pub: the Buttermere Court (aka Fish) Hotel for Allendale Brewery Wolf and Wagtail and Great Corby Lakeland Summit and Mandarina