A 7km stroll on the day after Boxing Day on a day much, much better than forecast.Route: leaving the car in the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park (some spaces at 11:15am) and taking the longer zigzag of bigger tracks to reach the start of 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 its end, then joining the small path descending to the boat house.
Thence round the lake and round the peel hillock (the “Horn”) and and across the obvious ‘other’ pebbly swimming beach to a muddy path at the start of the western edge of Crummock before turning sharp right uphill on a grassy path. Turning right on a lateral path below some trees, under Melbreak, and then ascending again round the northern ridge of the fell to the shortcut, right, to the stony track to the Kirkstile Inn. After a pint squeezed in by the fire, walking the 1km back along the road to the start.
Conditions: despite forecasts for low cloud and drizzle, bright wintry sun against some clouds.
Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Ales Esthwaite Bitter and Grasmoor.
