Great Stickle and Stickle Pike

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. 

Black Crag

A 10km walk with Angie and Alistair during a pre-birthday weekend in Coniston.

Route: leaving the Yewdale Inn and walking north on the A593, turning left off it towards the Youth Hostel and then north-east on the under-fell lateral footpath. Turning off the path and crossing the road to Low Yewdale and ascending through Tarn Hows Wood to join the narrow road to Tarn Hows; here meeting A&A. Continuing on the path on the west of Tarn Hows then diverging left on the Cumbria Way, east to Iron Keld Plantation and north to Iron Keld on rough stony tracks. Here doglegging left and right to enter open countryside and follow an obvious path to the summit of Black Crag and the nearby fine cairn. Back the same way to Iron Keld Plantation and now heading south-east on a less major path through the woods, crossing a track and following a path across fields to the east side of Tarn Hows and back to the car park, accepting a lift to the pub.

Conditions: a cold December day with moments of warm sunshine.

Pub: the Coniston Inn, Coniston, for Tirril Ullswater Blonde.

An attempt on Rannerdale Knotts

A walk, cut short by rain, with Pete from Cadas.

Route: leaving the car at the Buttermere NT car park (still half empty on a dismal day) and walking down into the village and left along Mill Beck/Sail Beck stopping to look at perching heron that Pete had spotted in a tree on the far bank. Continuing up the valley and then left onto the hillside and steeply uphill towards the saddle. Deciding in heavier rain that discretion was the better part of valour and so descending to Grassgarth Coppice and round the edge of Great Wood on a muddy track, wet burnt orange bracken soaking our legs, before eventually descending to the road (aiming off the path for a solitary tree and then back down the main rising path). Round the lake shore to the north-east side of Nether How and to the pub for lunch. Then back to the car.

Conditions: low cloud and rain from the start, getting heavier and wind getting up

Pub: the Buttermere Court Hotel for Corby Lakeland Summit and Trooper, San Miguel and a light lunch.

Along the Cocker from Simonscales (Cockermouth)

A 5km autumn stroll before the rain set in.

Route: leaving the car parked in a 2 hour zone at the town end of Lorton Road, backtracking to Towers Lane and climbing and then descending to turn left on Simonscales Lane. Following this down over the A66 to turn right on a muddy path by the side of the Cocker back to Two Mills. Here the rain starting to get heavy so marching past the outdoor gym to the wooded path to the railway footpath. Turning left and then descending to the west bank of the river and heading to the footbridge to rise to the Swan Inn for a pint and then back to the car.

Conditions: dry to begin with some patches of blue sky but with fairly heavy rain towards the end.

Pub: the Swan Inn, Cockermouth, for Fyne Ales Jarl.

The slopes of Crosby Ravensworth Fell

A 10+km walk following that day's Guardian pub walks route.

Route: from the pub in Crosby Ravensworth (to access wifi to plot the route) walking back past where the car was parked opposite the village hall and on to a minor footpath south parallel to Lyvennet Beck across field to Holme Bridge. Crossing the road and the beck and continuing south some distance above the beck before descending again next to it and climbing up the access track to Crosby Lodge. Continuing across fields taking the left route near Hollins Scar to enter Right to Roam land and visit Robin Hood’s Grave. Returning then to track a wall west on a clear path eventually crossing a stream to rise past two large erratics. At a junction bending left to visit a modest limestone pavement and, at a post, turning right on an old Roman Road. Veering off this to the right to join a bridleway and then down Slack Randy to the road back into the village to the pub.

Conditions: a sunny autumnal day.

Pub: the Butchers Arms, Crosby Ravensworth, for Cumbrian Ales Loweswater Gold.

Circuit of Loweswater to Kirkstile Inn

An 8km sunny stroll with a pint in the middle.

Route: leaving the car at the layby near the phone box at Waterend and talking the path down across fields and up to Hudson Place turning left and downhill to walk alongside the lake and on to the car park at Maggie’s Bridge. Walking up the track to the road and down to the Kirkstile Inn, pausing at the village hall to admire the view. After a pint sitting in the sun, retracing the route but continuing on the road, briefly joining the lakeside path on the north side of the lake then climbing up the bank to reach the green lane ascending under Low Fell. Taking a sharp left to descend to Miresyke on a rough stony track and then down the paved track to the start.

Conditions: a cool air temperature but warm in the sun on a bright sunny autumn day.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn, part way round, for Cumbrian Ales, American Invasion.

Raven Crag via Middlesteads Gill

An 11km walk partly influenced by the supposed closure of lakeside car parks (which turned out to be open) and an eccentric route suggestion from Mark Richards.

Route: leaving the car at Rough How Bridge (parking limited to 2 hours but surely not enforced) and taking the track to Shoulthwaite Farm and then the broad forestry track south-east to the road and along to the first supposedly closed car park. Taking the shoreline, once being pushed back onto the minor road, as far as the Armboth car park (south of which the road was closed). Taking Mark Richards' preferred route directly uphill to the right of Middlesteads Gill, keeping close to a fence on his advice, supposedly to avoid the shoulder-high bracken. This proving utterly false the fence was nevertheless helpful as a handhold given the loose but invisible path below. 

On reaching the gorge at the top of the stream probably getting a little lost and staying on (although well below the ridge of) the High Tove - High Seat grassy plateau. Eventually re-entering forestry land on a clear track to the main junction just north of Raven Crag and taking the stepped path to its summit. Continuing north on the forest track, afterwards, descending and, having turned east, finding a tiny path left back down to Shoulthwaite Farm and thence the car.

Conditions: a lovely autumn day with cool air though warm in the sun and while fighting uphill in bracken.

Pub: the Horse and Farrier, Threlkeld, for Tirril Ullswater Blonde and Dungeon Ghyll Stout.

Exploring two woods and the hill above Cowan Head from Staveley

A 6km walk from Staveley before meeting the de Souza-Brazils for a beer.

Route: leaving the car at the Mill Yard and heading on the path south-east of Staveley Park towards the sewage works but diverting for a tour of the walled-off innominate woods accessible through a gate from the track. Then continuing to the back road and turning immediately off into Beckmickle Ing (Woodland Trust) and following small trippy paths parallel to the river as far as the Hagg Foot bridge, crossing the bridge and then turning left to Cowan Head. For the first time taking the first path on the edge of Cowan Head up steps, through a gate and turning right to go gently uphill, initially with the boundary wall and then bearing left up the slope. Eventually leaving the right of way to stand on top of what may have been the highest rocky outcrop. (Time being short, no further investigation of the rocks to the south was possible.) From here descending to rejoin the right of way and then a paved road south of Cragg Farm, bending round and then turning off right onto a familiar path and down through fields to a half kilometre of overgrown path between walls/hedges leading back to the Dales Way and into Staveley.

Conditions: cloudy, warm and very humid.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for ITI and Five Hop. 

Lanthwaite Wood to the Kirkstile with the de Souza-Brazils

A 2.5 mile walk (turning into a frog march) to meet Tim for lunch at the Kirkstile with Steve, Debbie, Jules and Max (photos courtesy of Steve)

Route: Debbie having squeezed into the last proper parking space just after 11.30am on August Bank Holiday Monday, heading straight up from the car park gate to Robin’s Steps in the usual way to bear east through the woods and up to the subsidiary summit and then on to the true summit. 

Then heading south to the pass crossroads and following the edge of the wood round to the east and south again, taking the path above the beck back down the boathouse and the short of Crummock Water. From there taking the main path north parallel with the shoreline to the head of the lake to hug the shore all the way round to the pump house. Here making a direct beeline west to Park Beck and following it (roughly) all the way to Low Park Farm to take lanes north and north west to St Bartholomew’s church and the Kirkstile Inn.

Conditions: Largely overcast but surprisingly sticky on the ascent

Pub: Kirkstile Inn! (for their Eskthwaite Bitter and Life of a Mountain)

Variant figure of eight circumnavigation of Ling Fell and Sale Fell

An 11km walk passing time before an expected meeting with the de Souza-Brazils.

Route: leaving the car near the old school at Wythop Mill and walking west on the road to join Green Lonning. Near the end, popping into the field to the left so as to keep the altitude and walking south east parallel with Tom Rudd Beck, thus circling Ling Fell (finding the previously unexplored section of path from 6-5 o’clock only a bit marshy). Returning to the ‘entrance’ to Ling Fell and taking the higher road east to the end of the hanging valley, turning left and then climbing steeply up onto Lothwaite at its east end. Then walking over Lothwaite, Rivings and Sale Fell, descending the ridge, turning left onto the balcony path but taking a short cut back onto the road and, after a final road-ascent, descending to the car.

Conditions: warm with some sun, later turning cloudy (with rain coming in after we had finished).

Pub: the planned post walk meet-up having been hampered by the surprisingly slow rate of progress of the de Souza-Brazils (in fact, not simply strolling to the Castlerigg Stone Circle as thought), first cheese scones and tea back at the cottage and then later Loweswater Gold at the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, with the others.

Tallentire Hill

A 10.5km walk up a tiny hill mainly to justify the re-opened Barn Inn at Gilcrux.

Route: leaving the car on the road by the Inn and heading north to a junction, left on a road and then right onto a shaded track to Ellenhall. Briefly joining the road and then turning back east across, and at the edge of, fields to a concrete farm track back to the road. Then continuing on another concrete farm track very gently uphill, then across a field into trees and turning right. Here the going getting more difficult with nettles and overgrowth for 200m to a field. Leaving the right of way to climb to the summit to look at a substantial lateral radio transmitter. Continuing, still off any right of way to join another bridleway to the east and heading south to a small conifer plantation. Crossing this to regain the bridleway, across a field and then along another overgrown walled track to near the summit of Tallentire Hill. Trespassing briefly through a gate to the trig point. Then continuing on to the very minor road back to Gilcrux. Diverging from this on a track on the right until it became too overgrown so heading south across fields, back to the original road.

Conditions: a surprisingly warm sunny day.

Pub: the Barn Inn Gilcrux, now under new management, for Keswick Brewery Thirst Run and Simcoe (after a couple of failures).

Brunt Knott with a Potter Tarn swim

A 12km walk and a swim on a 29C day with Paul Taylor.

Route: leaving the car at the Staveley Mill Yard and heading across the river and north to Hall Lane and left on the track to Scroggs Farm. Then up the road to Elfhowe and taking the right hand route down to the river (where a highland cow was sheltering from the heat under the bridge) and then up to cross Hall Lane and further up to Ghyll Bank. Then, for the first time, taking the track past Brunt Knott Farm and on at a diagonal onto the fell. On reaching a track left off the bridleway, taking it and then following obvious paths eventually to the summit of Brunt Knott. Descending on an initially clear path towards the ridge wall towards Ulgraves, crossing marshy land to reach it and continuing on its left hand side. Thinking we were about level with Ulgraves but in fact nearly 1km short crossing through a broken wall and over a barbed wire fence (a better alternative next time!) to reach a sort of summit (though not the right one!) and then continuing largely pathless in the direction of Gurnal Dubbs, luckily finding a gate to reach a clear track to the tarn. Spurning it as a swimming preference (reedy at the east end and with rough types where the swimming was better) to descend for a ridiculously warm swim in Potter Tarn. Returning to Staveley via Frost Hole and the road by Craggy Plantation.

Conditions: blazing sun and 29C but an occasional civilising breeze.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Five Hops, WPA and a cold buffet lunch.

Dent

An 8km walk on an unexpectedly wet day, in search of views but in vain.

Route: leaving the car in a layby at Wath Bridge on the way out of Cleator Moor (space for ~8 cars but also space across the river), crossing the river and walking 1km southwest on the c-road. At Black How, joining the Coast to Coast by turning left on a forestry track uphill to a fork, in increasing drizzle. Turning left and then right onto a path out of trees by a fence to the marshy summit. At this point, the rain becoming harder. Continuing without views, descending steeply into Uldale, turning left along Kirk Beck to Nannycatch Gate. Abandoning plans to climb Flat Fell and instead heading left along the valley bottom bridleway, in heavier rain, crossing puddles to reach a steeply descending c-road back to the start.

Conditions: initially cloudy and grey but turning wetter.

Pub: the Keekle Inn, Keekle, (for the first time) for Cumbrian Ales Loweswater Gold.

Two equally-enjoyable expeditions from Buttermere

A 4km lakeside saunter for T and a glorious 4.5km run over Rannerdale Knotts for L.

Routes:
For T, leaving the car at the NT car park (almost empty at 6pm) and heading north into the woodland and then via pathless meandering to high points and views on Long How before descending to the shore. Then back over Nether How past the campsite to the pub.

For L: from the NT car park turning left up the road to take the track shortcutting the road-bend opposite Wood House, then rejoining the road as far as the bridleway leading up opposite the beach at the east end of Crummock Water. Running along and gradually up through the bracken to turn right, and then right again up the newly-made steps climbing steeply up to the higher shelf west of Rannerdale Knotts and walking up through the crags to the summit from there. From the top picking a way along the ridge through the knotts and then running along the clear path down Low Bank, encumbered only by occasional freshly-shorn sheep to the junction of paths at the top of Rannerdale. There turning right to run down to the road, and there left to run into the village and down to the pub.

Conditions: cloudy but with bright hints and later even a little sun.

Pub: the Buttermere Court Hotel (née Fish), Buttermere, for Corby Eachy of Bassenthwaite and Lakeland Summit.