A variant
stroll to redeem the day after lunch at the Kirkstile Inn.
Route: leaving the car at the NT car park and, to spare T’s sore calf muscle (post cramp attack two days earlier), taking the higher initial path rising above the lake to reach the saddle immediately to the south of the grassy summit region. Then heading north but staying out of the summit area on a narrow path still within trees to arrive just above Robin’s Steps. Heading right through the deer gate towards the summit but turning left on a faint path downhill to reach the faint summit (more apparent in reality than on the map or Google Earth) which mirrors Pickett Howe. Heading east off this and descending to run parallel to a wall now down at ground level and across a marsh to just before Pickett Howe Farm. Here turning uphill and then along a rising ridge to the summit. Descending to cross the outward path and continue nearly as far as the exit to Lanthwaite Green Farm but bearing right and north on the other main descending path back to the start.
Conditions: high cloud and very occasional glimpses of sun.
Pub: before the walk, the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold and an impromptu lunch.
