Route: from the Dollywagon B&B on Helvellyn St, Keswick, via St John's St to the market and down Main St to cross the river. Turning left along the Cumbria Way first across fields, then a bridge over the river to Portinscale, out past the marina and then turning left to Nichol End. Following a track rising slightly through trees, turning left at a track T junction past the Lingholm Estate to approach the end of Catbells where turning left to take metalled tracks past the Hawse End Outdoor Centre to reach the lake shore at Victoria Bay. On a clear path past Boat Houses to reach and cross marshy ground south of Great Bay on raised duck boards and then over the River Derwent to reach the B5289. Running along a narrow rough verge past the Lodore Falls Hotel and after which finding a woodland path near the road as far as Kettlewell car park and then crossing the road to pick a way along a stony shoreline to the Watendlath Road. Very slowly ascending this as far as Ashness Bridge and then climbing the fellside by the stream as far as a foot bridge and a path leading gradually up to the summit of Walla Crag. Descending briefly via the road at Rake Foot and then a hard path to the left down via a transmitter to reach Springs Road, Manor Brow and Eskin St and back to the start.
Conditions: cool and cloudy though with hints of sun.
Pub: The Wainwright, Keswick for Fell, Progressive Pale.
