A slow 7km stroll for lunch in Cockermouth and back with chums

A slow 7km stroll for lunch in Cockermouth, and back, with Caroline and Paul.

Route: from the Rectory, walking south to Strawberry How Road to a southerly entrance to the cemetery and through it to the Greenway. Along this across the Cocker and then taking the riverside road to Market Place to cross the bridge for a view of the collapsed building and then to the Bitter End for lunch. Afterwards, taking Rubbybanks Road and the path through the riverside part of Harris Park to cross the footbridge at Double Mills. Along the side of the river to Simonscales Lane, Rose Lane and home.

Conditions: contra the forecast, an afternoon of sun.

Pub: the Bitter End, Cockermouth, for Pentland IPA and lunch.

6.5km run across Cockermouth

A 6.7km run at the end of a damp day for once going all the way along the Greenway and clockwise round the fields across the river from the castle.

Route: from the Rectory, running south on Lorton Road and then left on Strawberry How Road to the end of the houses. Turning left on a path to the Greenway and along this, past Lidl and across the Level, to its end near Aldi (2km along the full length). Then back along Crown Street and over Gote Bridge as far as the cycle track opposite the road to Papcastle. Following this behind the industrial estate to its end to enter a field, bear right to a stile, run round the next field by the river and cross to the mown riverside area opposite the castle. 

Turning left across the footbridge and then detouring to take the riverside path back underneath it, along Waterloo Street and High Sands Lane, left along Market Place and over the bridge to a viewpoint back to the Market Place bridge from the south to look for a large tree apparently stuck on the weir (no clear sign) and then ascending to the grass by Mackreth Row to descend slippery steps to the muddy track along the river, thence to Tweedmill Lane and home.

Conditions: a muggy, cloudy, damp day but the rivers now sounding healthy again after a period of spring drought.

Pub? No but half a can of Lidl Loch Lomond Brewery Stag Do.

5.5km Cockermouth run (taking in Highfields)

A 5.5km run to explore snickleways at the edge of the houses along the north-east extremity of the town (the Highfields estate).

Route: from the Rectory, running south on Lorton Road and then left on Strawberry How Road to the end of the houses. Turning left on a path to the Greenway and along this to just after the Sandybeck Way road bridge over Bitter Beck to take the winding path right and then left onto Sandybeck Way, up to Ullswater Drive and anti-clockwise round Gable Avenue. Halfway round, at the end of some houses, taking an informal path at the top of a grassy bank, at a fence corner, to reach and run round sports fields and then cut through to the perimeter path starting at the end of Highfield Road. 

At a fork at All Saints primary school, running down to cross the footbridge, run along Tanyard Garth and turn right onto St Helen’s Street and then back along Castlegate Drive to Beech Lane, climbing to the highest point of the run and then descending via Isel Road to the Jennings Brewery to look at the new brewing equipment and chat to the Head Brewer. Then, the Waterloo footbridge on Brewery Lane being closed, heading over the road bridge back along Market Place, Challoner St and along the river to the other footbridge and via the carparks to the Bitter End for a half to celebrate official confirmation of the purchase of No 1. 

Conditions: generally cloudy but some sunny patches and quite warm.

Pub: The Bitter End for half pints of Fyne Ales Jarl and Pocketful of Sunshine Session IPA.

Lake Vyrnwy Blue Walking Trail (round Craig Garth-bwlch)

A 7km stroll awaiting check-in at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa on the first damp day after three weeks of sun.

Route: from the car park at the west side of the dam, waking south-east on a c-road and then a metalled track slightly to the right, gaining height at the north-east end of Craig Garth-bwlch before turning to the right and descending on a wide stony track along the edge of the valley. At the far end of the hill following the track steeply uphill on Glyndwr’s Way before descending and eventually gaining a view of the lake and dam to the start. 

Afterwards exploring a sculpture trail under the dam (the Dam Trail) and crossing back to the start of the walk over the dam itself.

Conditions: a cloudy, muggy day with hints of drizzle.

Pub: The Tavern, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, for Stonehouse Brewery Flipside IPA and For Victory Pale Ale.

Bryn Euryn, Rhos-on-Sea

A short nostalgic ascent of Bryn Euryn after visiting T’s grandmother’s house.

Route: leaving the car parked outside 28a Francis Avenue and walking along Allanson Avenue and left on Rhos Road to reach the Bryn Euryn nature reserve. Taking a steep path to the right to the ruins of Llys Euryn and then south-west uphill under trees before emerging with views to the west. Climbing first to a subsidiary summit with views of 28a Francis Avenue and then via a narrow path through bushes to ascend to the actual summit. 

Descending on a very narrow tunnel-like path to find the descending summit trail, thus completing a circuit of the hill. Afterwards, walking down Rhos Road to visit the beach and tiny Chapel of St Trillo and then the Tapps at Rhos micro pub.

Conditions: another warm sunny day.

Pub: Tapps at Rhos for Gwynty Ddraig Orchard Gold and Black Dragon ciders and Conwy Glogwyn Gold.

The Great Orme/Y Gogarth

A 7km walk up the Great Orme from Llandudno while staying in Betws-y-Coed with James.

Route: from the Town Hall car park heading north on Chapel Street, Avon Avenue and Llewelyn Avenue to reach Cwlach Rd and at a fork staying on the lower footpath staying at constant altitude with views over the town (Lovers’ Walk), then climbing onto a slightly higher tarmac path. At a junction turning right on a stony path called the Zig-Zag Trail and following this up between rocky outcrops to a lower summit plateau and then north-west to double back to the right (north-east), gaining height before turning left (north-west, again) and crossing the tram tracks for the summit complex. 

Descending north east, joining St Tudno’s Road to visit St Tudno’s Church and then taking an enclosed path slightly uphill and then level, herding sheep along it. Descending past the ski centre (with a laughably slow luge run) to Happy Valley Botanical Gardens and thus back to the start (via some shops).

Conditions: lower down, warm in direct sun but a cool breeze on the summit.

Pub: Swallow Falls Hotel, after driving most of the way back to the cottage, for Conwy Brewery Welsh Pride and Clogwyn Gold.

Clogwyn Cyrau

A short steep ascent to the viewpoint opposite a rented cottage in Betws-y-Coed, on the first night staying there with James visiting for 6 days from Chicago.

Route: from the cottage, descending to turn right on the A5 and left across a bridge over the Afon Llugwy on the B5106 and then left on a c-road, climbing to a path on the right. Detouring off the metalled track to take a snicket (marked on the map as the path, but proving an unnecessary complication as it simply rejoined the track. Turning off to join a trippy stony path through trees initially zig-zagging but then going straight, roughly north. Taking an unmarked right turn to reach the summit, descending slightly to the south to reach the edge of the cliffs to be able to see the cottage. 

Afterwards, largely retracing the outward path but sticking to the metalled track and then heading into the village to investigate Hangin’ Pizza and the pub. 

Conditions: warm and still, and too hot in jeans.

Pub: Stables Bar, Royal Oak Hotel, for Conwy Welsh Pride, Rampart and Clogwyn Gold.

Hopegill Head

A 16km walk with Richard Gipps (who was renting a cottage in Lorton), Lois picking James up from Penrith station.

Route: Leaving the cottage and walking up the Boonbeck Road to Scales and then along the green track to High Swinside and along the road and then footpath to the new footbridge over Hope Beck. Continuing along the lower path over one obvious and one less obvious stream but trending uphill (otherwise too soon) to find the clear main path (just above a large white stone). Continuing uphill, remembering to take a half right uphill to reach a ruin and thence the saddle behind the Dodd. Then slowly up the clear path to Whiteside and left to Hopegill Head. 

Descending over Sand Hill to Coledale Hause and turning right to descend into Gasgale. Walking along a sometimes difficult path with a couple of awkward steps and an awkward descent near the end to reach the path back along the east of the valley (T taking a headlong tumble).Turning left to Miller Place, right along the c-road and then by paths via Low Swinside to Lorton.

Conditions: after two weeks of sun, a cool breeze and cloud while climbing though some hot still weather on the return.

Pub: the Pheasant Bassenthwaite for Bowness Bay Brewery Swan Blonde and Lakeland Walker Pale Ale.

Watch Hill from the Rectory

A 10km ‘jog’ (walking the uphill sections) on a hot late Sunday afternoon.

Route: from the Rectory running north on Lorton Road and Kirkgate and then tackling a snickleway above the Kirkgate Centre to St Helen’s Street and right along that to the gate on the left onto the footpath up Watch Hill. Walking this ascent to enter the woods to the left of the summit plateau and by a path and then a track to a small path in trees up to a stile to the summit. Splitting up here for L to run on ahead quicker, down along the ridge back down to the road. Dog-legging right-left to join the track over the lower slopes of Slate Fell and right to skirt the edge of the new (Strawberry Grange) housing estate. L continuing left along the Sustrans route and Strawberry How Road and T joining the Greenway to cross the cemetery.

Conditions: a hot, generally still, summer late afternoon.

Pub? Drinks at the Rectory with Mike and Jan.

Rydal to Grasmere linear walk on the coffin route

A 4km stroll for T with Ann and Frank (L meeting people in Penrith).

Route: from the bus stop at Rydal, ascending the road towards Rydal Hall and turning left along the coffin route for 3km. The stony track giving way to a metalled track and then a c-road descending to Town End and then along the main road to Tweedies for lunch.

Conditions: yet another gloriously hot sunny day (about the tenth in a row).

Pub: Tweedies, Grasmere, for Thornbridge Jaipur IPA, Cumbrian Ales Loweswater Gold and Fell Crag Bitter and lunch.

Slate Fell 6km run

A 6km run from the Rectory at 9am in case of later heat during a two week dry sunny spell.

Route: From the rectory, heading south on Lorton Road and then left onto the Sustrans route to the Greenway crossing Tom Rudd Beck on a path just to the left of the new road bridge on Sandybeck Way. Following this round to take the third left connecting - for pedestrians only - to Ullswater Drive. Turning left from this onto Swinside Close and via a path to Loweswater Close and via Gable End to Slatefell Drive. Following this to the end and then along a path to a footbridge over Bitter Beck to join St Helen’s Street and head east, gradually gaining a bit of altitude. 

Just beyond the gate onto Watch Fell on the left, taking the second path on the right to across a field, to climb a stile and cross a stream (very shallow after the recent drought) on rough stepping stones. Climbing very gradually on a path in the narrow Brick Kiln Wood to exit onto fields and continue with Slate Fell above and on the right. After a gate taking an obvious diagonal path uphill to cross a more main track and walk uphill to the round summit of Slate Fell (with lots of mysterious sink holes). Descending by a fence to the west to the main track and following this across fields to a new housing estate at the edge of Cockermouth. Taking a gravel path down to the left round the houses to a road and thus to the Greenway to take the first gate into the cemetery and thence home.

Conditions: at 9am, a cool breeze, but warmer in the sun.

Pub? Not at 10am!

Cycle ride from Cockermouth to the Punch Bowl, Great Broughton (longer variant)

An 18km circular cycle route to Great Broughton via Eaglesfield.

Route: from the Rectory, heading south on Lorton Road to the Hundith Hill crossroads and right to Southwaite and across the A5088. Climbing gradually to Eaglesfield and turning right at the T-junction at the end of the village towards Brigham, rising to possibly the summit of the route. Then descending to Brigham and pausing to look at the bizarre wooded ex-limestone quarry sites on either side of the road. Continuing across the A66 to the pub at Great Broughton, admiring the new beer garden (looking excellent on a fine sunny day). 

After a pint, continuing on the Sustrans Route 10 cycle route to Papcastle and across the A594 and then along a cycle path and across the footbridge over the River Derwent into Cockermouth (pausing at Sainsbury’s) and home.

Conditions: a 20C sunny day.

Pub: the Punch Bowl, Great Broughton, for Windermere Collie Wobbles. 

Cockermouth run with a loop from Double Mills via Simonscales Mill

A 7km run on a lovely, sunny Saturday late afternoon.

Route: from the Rectory, heading south on Lorton Road but, on impulse, taking a snickleway right leading onto Sunscales Avenue. Taking the next snickleway left off this and steeply uphill to Briar Bank and turning left and then right again onto snickleways linking the ends of Linstock Avenue, Caldecott Avenue, Greyrigg Avenue and onto Dale View. Left along this and down the path beside the park to above the footbridge to Double Mills to take the path, through a gate, left to run, keeping close to the riverbank (with the Cocker on the right), to Simonscales Mill and beyond. 

Bending left uphill and then left again along a field edge and then left down the track to Simonscales, again, to describe a lollipop. Then back on more direct routes, though rising up the bank away from the river briefly before reaching Double Mills, crossing the footbridge and then running along the river to Croft Terrace and South Street, to the Cock & Bull.

Conditions: a warm sunny May late afternoon.

Pub: the Cock & Bull for Vocation Brewery’s Heart and Soul.