9km linear run from Whinlatter over Lord's Seat to Kirk Fell and Lorton

A 9km linear run from Whinlatter over Lord's Seat to Kirk Fell and Lorton.

Route: taking the ~9:34am bus to the Whinlatter centre and, walking and running, following a marked path past the Gruffalo and along forest tracks before turning off on a narrower steeper gravel path uphill to the right. Taking the second obvious muddy path off it left to reach the summit of Ullister Hill. Then on very marshy terrain to gain another gravel path and along this, eventually at a walk, to climb Lord’s Seat. Then running to Broom Fell, Graystones and Kirk Fell. Descending this on a clear, though steep, grassy track to reach a point to the north of the wood above Hole Mire and leaving right to roam land onto a field to reach a gate back onto the Whinlatter Pass road and hence back to the cottage.

Conditions: lowish cloud and subtle hints of drizzle.

Pub: later the Ravenstone Manor Hotel for Corby Blonde and lunch with Godfrey and Lesley.

11km linear run down Borrowdale

A fine 11km run south down Borrowdale taking a bus back.

Route: leaving the car at Great Wood car park (more than full at 3pm but finding a now-vacated proper space) and running south out of the car park and across the road to a clear path down to the shore and along. Attempting to stay on a higher level narrow path just below the road but eventually forced onto the stony shore again and along this, round the bulge south of Barrow Bay (where a new board walk was being built), to cross the road again at Kettlewell car park and continue off road to the Lodor Falls Hotel. Running along the road to turn right onto the footpath and board walk at the Chinese Bridge and then heading south to pick up the Cumbria Way, briefly on the c-road near the Borrowdale Gates Hotel. Keeping close to the river on the lower path - though with some rocky ascents - to the bridge to Rosthwaite but staying west of the river on a narrow path to the YHA and then via some rocky terrain (with a via ferrata chain handrail) to continue to Seatoller and, for the first time in 20 years, the Yew Tree Inn.

Conditions: humid and cloudy but with some hints of brightness.

Pub: the newly-reopened Yew Tree Inn for Tirril Honister IPA (£6 per pint!).

12km circuit of Gowbarrow

A 12km run on a hot and initially still day with fine views.

Route: leaving the car at the highest of the three NT car parks for Aira Force (High Cascades), a quarry 500m south of Dockray, and descending a gravel path across fields to join the main path down towards the waterfalls. Just after the viewing bridge, bending left to take a path to the edge of woodland and then rise - in the heat of the day - to a fine balcony route round Gowbarrow with views over Ullswater. Spurning a left turn to summit the fell and staying below Great and Little Meldrum, now cooler in the shade of a wood before descending now at a walk (because of the heat) to turn left and, after a brief rest on a bench, walk steeply uphill on a c-road. 

From The Hause, descending at a run, then turning left on another road, climbing gently, then level, then down and up, to Ulcat Row. Turning left at the end of the hamlet onto a level grassy path round the north of the hill before a brief climb to join the path down towards Aira Force and soon turning off it to return to the start.

Conditions: hotter than forecast and with no breeze until reaching the c-road. Thereafter, a cooling breeze making things much more pleasant.

Pub: the Brackenrigg Inn, Watermillock, for Carlisle State Brewery Spun Gold.

9km run north of Bassenthwaite Village

A surprisingly varied route with fine views especially towards Skiddaw.

Route: leaving the car on a quiet road near the village green in Bassenthwaite Village and taking a signed footpath to the east bending left up Back Hill and then leaving tarmac for grassy paths trending slightly north of east at a junction and then heading a little south (still mainly east) at another notional junction to run along the edge of soft fields (of cows and sheep) to a crossroads of paths. Turning left, getting closer to Kestrel Lodge, and across more fields and a bridge over a large stream to cross a c-road. 

Walking uphill through tall trees, the path becoming very overgrown and overhanging branches shedding last night’s rain onto shirt and short. At the top, running right along a track and then left along a field boundary. At this point rejecting a possible route down and up via Little Tarn to head, instead, north west across more damp grassy fields, eventually turning right on a track, past Overwater Hall, to turn left along a c-road to reach the highest point. Then left down a busier c-road for 1km before turning left onto a track by a field and the bending right to cut a corner and continue parallel to a hedge before bending left, over a faint saddle to descend onto another completely overgrown path (though also, unbelievably, the Reivers off-road cycle route). Eventually reaching a broader path through tall trees and then a pleasant path to the outskirts of Bassenthwaite Village and back to the car.

Conditions: an ideal mix of sun and 15C with breeze.

Pub: Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite, for (surprisingly good) Wainwright Amber. 

Running circuit (15km) to the west of Kentmere

A solitary (T) 15km run which quickly became as much a walk.

Route: taking the 10:21am train to Staveley and running from the station along Beck Nook across the footbridge and along the A591to High Reston Farm and walking slowly uphill on the grassy path to Hugill Hall. On reaching more level tracks, failing to start running and feeling dizzy but continuing alternating periods of running and walking past the start of the Three Rivers trail and continuing towards Kentmere village but diverting on the non-right of way track (through a now barricaded gate) to pick up the path back to the Hollingworth & Vose factory. To minimise all altitude because of exhaustion, crossing the Ullthwaite Bridge to join the main c-road and staying on this, crossing back, all the way to Staveley.

Conditions: quite hot in wispy sun but with no breeze.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Rooster’s Return IPA.

Pre-pre-prandial-pint pootle from Ings

A 6km run to justify a beer at the Watermill despite signs of T’s possible return to fatigue.

Route: leaving the car in the parking area at the north entrance/exit to Ings and running along the road heading south gently uphill, under the railway line, to take a right on soggy ground across fields to Whasdike. Briefly joining the road to follow a causeway past a water tank into School Knott Plantation. Emerging from the trees at a gate to run round the hillside to the first clear path left up to the summit of School Knott, walking the ups and jogging the flat bits. 

From the summit, descending on a clear path to the tarn below and then bending right, uphill, to turn left on the Dales Way at an isolated tree, and then descend on it to Hagg End/Grandsire Barn. 

Turning left on the road and then left again onto a path through a small wood to reach Yews and then rejoin the outward road to walk down to the pub. 

Conditions: despite forecast rain, a sunny if cool day.

Pub: the Watermill, Ings, for Windermere Collie Wobbles. 

9km run from Burneside to Staveley

A fine 9km sunny run to start the weekend.

Route: talking the 4:32pm train to Burneside and heading south on the main road and then left through the Croppers factory complex then left on Hall Road to a road junction. Turning right on a narrow but potentially busy road (it wasn’t, fortunately) to take the next left on a footpath parallel to the river to Sprint Mill. Nipping through the private yard, keeping north, to cross a small footbridge and continuing with the river to the right until the path ran out. Backtracking to exit onto fields and continuing north and gently uphill to a c-road (the Garnett Bridge Road) 400m west of Gurnal Bridge. 

Leaving the road onto a track near Beecham Bank and along across fields to Braban House. Here, for the first time continuing onwards south of the house to the start of a c-road but turning right on a path across muddy fields to Laithwaite Farm and then on c-roads to Bowston and along the Dales Way to Cowan Head. Taking the second path on the left climbing the hillside at a walk (for Lois’ benefit), staying to the south of Cragg Farm to join a metalled road downhill to join another footpath heading north west and pick up a narrow walled path rejoining the Dales Way. At the end, turning right along the road into Staveley to shortly reach the Eagle and Child. 

Conditions: a glorious sunny later afternoon/early evening but not too hot. 

Pub: the Eagle and Child, Staveley, for Cumbrian Ales, Loweswater Gold and Hawkshead WPA, meeting - for a bit less than hour - Anne and Frank.