High Rigg

A 9km run on the best day of a three-day birthday weekend.

Route: leaving the car at Rough How Bridge despite its formal closure at one end, at least, because of the United Utilities pipework and ignoring footpath closed signs to follow the lower of the two (perfectly unblocked) north-east paths keeping underneath High Rigg, past Shaw Bank and along a metalled road. Taking a clear path rising off the road gently to cut the corner onto the track rising steeply to the church (walking) but taking a grassy track off and uphill to the right before it. Proceeding walking (the steep bits) and running to the summit of High Rigg and then along clear sometimes marshy paths all the way along to Wren Crag and then descending to the road. Crossing the A5091 to Bridge End Farm and following a footpath north, back over the river to Smaithwaite (and a disused pub) and then on a large forestry track under The Benn to Shoulthwaite Farm recrossing the A5091 and back to the start.

Conditions: wintry but dry with high clouds and some hints of sun. Muddy under foot.

Pub: Tweedies, Grasmere, for Thornbridge Galaxia, Turning Point Rising Tide and lunch.

Brackenthwaite Hows

A short 7km late morning run anticipating a poor forecast for the rest of the day.

Route: leaving the car at the once phone box now defibrillator on the way to the Kirkstile Inn and running back to the Lanthwaite Wood NT car park where turning sharp left to climb to Robin’s Steps and hence along the subsidiary ridge to the summit of Brackenthwaite Hows. Descending south through woods and then curving left and then right eventually to the boathouse on the shore and then round the lake past the, today-submerged, swimming beach as far as the pumping house. Turning right and along the river to a slightly raised track and then by a walled stony riverside path to reach Lowpark and almost Park Bridge. Here, for the first time, heading south along a path through Flass Wood to reach the familiar under-Melbreak path and round it to descend to the Kirkstile for beer. Afterwards, walking back to the car in the now-steady rain.

Conditions: initially cloudy and breezy but rain slowly increasing.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Pale Ale and Langdale.

Latrigg

A quick, short 7km stroll post lunch on an iffy birthday day.

Route: leaving the car in the B&B quarter in Keswick and crossing the footbridge into Upper Fitz Park to take roadside footpaths to Briar Rigg and then turning right along a track to cross the A66 and ascend. Taking the first right turn along a track and at a four-way junction continuing on on the higher path under the fellside as far as a small cross roads where turning left on a steep zigzagging path up hill, eventually becoming a straight steep tramp uphill out of the trees and onto still steep grassy fellside. Crossing a barbed wire fence with care and then along to the ambiguous top of Latrigg. Then back north west on a very clear, well-maintained zigzagging path to join the Cumbria Way and thence back to Keswick.

Conditions: some initial rain giving way to cloud and high wind.

Pub: the Square Orange, Keswick for Corby Oktohop Black IPA.

11km Loughrigg Circuit

An 11km run with Steve M on his annual November visit (having spent the previous night in Lorton).

Route: leaving the car in the White Moss car park (£2 per hour) and crossing the road and then the river on a footbridge and along woodland paths climbing to reach the start of Loughrigg Terrace. Along this and then the higher track, at the end, through trees to reach the summit of Red Bank. Descending, left, to reach a track round the north of Loughrigg Tarn. Part way along taking a footpath on the left across fields to meet a stony walled track rising and turning to circumnavigate the hillside rising to reach a spur and following a grassy path, right, to reach Lily Tarn. Descending on a grassy, muddy path to reach the main track over Loughrigg and here turning left and uphill for 100m to find a path on the right descending to the Under Loughrigg road and along this towards Grasmere. Turning left, before the road re-crosses the river, onto a rising road then shady track to reach views of Rydal Water. Taking the lower lakeside path back to the initial woods and thus recrossing the footbridge and back to the start.

Conditions: cold but mainly high cloud.

Pub: the Badger Bar, Rydal, for Barngates Red Bull Terrier and Handsome Blonde.

Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head from Whinlatter Pass

A solitary 2.5 hour, 10km walk while Lois was on a theology course.

Route: leaving the car in the free parking area to the south of the Whinlatter Pass just above the two cottages. Walking along the route of the C2C on a forest track to a point where a wide path heads right with a post (N78) and leading uphill, eventually reaching the edge of forest and then along a clear, well-established path on an increasingly distinct ridge up to Hobcarton End. Then along the broad ridge to Grisedale Pike. Descending and re-ascending to reach Hopegill Head and down the greasy and slightly worrying rocky ridge to Ladyside Pike. Down the broad grassy ridge and at the first fence heading right steeply down tussocky grass to the valley. Then left through two gates and along a forest track, spurning a left turn and then U-turning to climb gently for 1km and down to the start.

Conditions: cold and windy but clearing with some late sun.

Pub? much later, after picking up Steve M from a train at Penrith and Lois in Keswick, the Pheasant, Bassenthwaite for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

Wansfell Pike and Wansfell from Troutbeck

A fine short 10km walk as a last minute replacement for a planned walk from Grasmere given delays on the A591.

Route: Leaving the car parked just over the river at the bottom of Troutbeck (perhaps 50m up the road) and taking Robin Lane round to the south of the fell, keeping with the lower track round to High Skelghyll. On entering the wood, taking a path rising diagonally eventually to reach the observatory and the ridge to the summit. For the first time taking a path to the left and higher than the normal route, gaining the ridge sooner.  Thence along the boggy ridge to Wansfell and then down the path to Nanny Lane and back to Troutbeck.

Conditions: a sunny day with an almost cloudless blue sky and ridiculously warm for late November.

Pub: the Watermill, Ings for Theakstons Old Peculier and Windermere Bad Dog IPA.

Cockermouth stroll

A small 5km stroll on impulse from the Aldi car park while waiting for the shop to open.

Route: leaving the Aldi car park and climbing some steps to reach a gravel section of old railway. Following this south east as it became a snicket between houses and then ran beside a car park to cross the A5086 and rejoin a more obvious line of track, crossing a viaduct, passing underneath Lorton Road and heading out of town. At a natural terminus, turning right on a Sustrans route and then entering a cemetery pausing to watch red squirrels darting about in rude health. Then crossing Lorton Road to head through a housing estate and down onto a path beside the Cocker. South West on this across fields to a footbridge and then along the other side of the river, in a park, underneath the viaduct and regaining the track by steps, joining and crossing the A5086 and back along the initial outward track.

Conditions: high clouds and a thin blue sky to the north while the central Lake District was in cloud and rain.

Pub: much later on the drive home, Tweedies, Grasmere for Hawkshead ITI and Fell Golden Goldings and lunch.