Whitbarrow Scar 9+km variant

A 9km run with blue skies and some sun after 36 hours of drizzle and rain during the second coronovirus lockdown.

Route: leaving the car at the side of the quiet road which probably formed the original route of the A590 near the road to Raven’s Lodge and running up this, past the farm and then left along a track under White Scar gaining height. This time, the flat bed of ancient rock was dangerously slippy so progress was possible only at its left hand edge. Shortly after entering a wood and passing a bench, angling right uphill to climb onto the top of the plateau and then through and back through a wall to gain more height to enjoy fine views south over the Kent Estuary. Then taking paths rising gently, with views over the Winster valley and to the Lakeland Fells, to reach the summit. Further north and east to cross a wall stile and, where the marked path turned left, continuing forward to a T-junction. This time simply turning left on a track and descending, ignoring a track to the right, to reach a gate and a T junction. Turning right and following this clear bridleway to its end, very wet and muddy under foot. Once the sense of elevation to the right had passed, descending on a narrow path down to Rawsons farm and then on a track back to Raven’s Lodge and thus the car.

Conditions: blue sky and some sun after a lengthy period of low cloud and rain.

Pub? During the second C-19 lockdown, The Summerhouse for Hawkshead Route 606 and Eden Brewery Emperor.

10km Kentmere run

A 10km run on a warn sunny November Saturday. 

Route: leaving the car parked on the side of the road near the 

Hollingworth & Vose factory and running through the factory yard to take the green valley bottom path towards Kentmere Hall but at a crossroads in the woods near the end, bending slightly left to rise to reach the return path, climbing slowly onto the moors. At the crossroads of paths at a stream crossing, continuing straight on the alluvial soil path (passing bikers, runners and a family out walking with children, dogs and Mary, the 5-month old family cat) to reach a gravel track. Taking the first left but ignoring the second to continue to a footpath descending across fields. Just before Browfoot, taking a permissive path that leads round the farm to join the riverside track to its west. Along past Crofthead and Sawmill Cottage to reach the Hollingworth & Vose factory again and the car.

Conditions: a bright sunny cloudless day.

Pub? On the first week of the second Covid-19 lockdown, a delicious shared bottle of ‘What was and will be’ Brewing’s Patterns Seem to Form in The Summerhouse.

Dorothy Farrer's Wood and Craggy Plantation stroll

A tiny less than 5km stroll on the first (and decidedly undecided) day after polling in the US election 2020 but with lovely autumn colours. 

Route: leaving the Staveley Mill Yard via the footbridge over the River Kent and taking the muddy path towards the sewage works but, at the first flooded field, diverting left through a gate and then through gaps and gates across fields, disturbing several deer, to meet the road opposite the path into Dorothy Farrer’s Wood. Taking this very marshy path and turning left through the first hand-gate and keeping to the left of the woods on clear paths climbing and eventually exiting near Piked Howe, crossing part of Mike’s Wood in the process. Briefly descending the road but bearing right across marshy fields to climb to the corner of Craggy Plantation and entering through a partially wired-closed gate. Continuing along the top of the woods to descend fields to Barley Bridge and back along the road and then riverside path to the outward footbridge.

Conditions: a still (and thoroughly spirit-lifting) autumn afternoon.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for final (£2 a pint!) pre-second lockdown pints of Hawskhead Red and Gold.

Round Bramley Seat to Mosser Fell Road

A 7km run on initially very wet and marshy ground, climbing onto moorland.

Route: leaving the car on the verge by the full layby at the west end of Loweswater and heading west along the road for 200m, then right on a track over a bridge over a stream and at a footpath sign turning left along marshy fields with brimful brooks. After a few fields heading through a wood and then by fields to Bramley and along a metalled road (with an incongruous road sign) to the road near Sosgill. Turning right and keeping on the road to the turn off uphill to Mosser old church (St Michael's) and then negotiating a series of gates round Mosser Gate Farm to the end of the metalled road to join the Fell Road rising to a summit with views of fells to the east and descending. Taking the second right to cross fields on a clear track and then down a stony track to the start.

Conditions: cloudy and breezy, with hints of rain but also brief sunny spells.

Pub? bottled Lidl Woodgate cider at the cottage with lunch.

Rannerdale Knotts run from Lanthwaite Green

A 12km run having both failed to catch the 77 bus (first bus of the day from Lorton to Honister full to its COVID-limited capacity) and then thinking better of trying to park in Buttermere on finding ourselves in a long convoy of traffic heading up the valley not long after 11am.

Route: leaving the car on verge parking near the full Lanthwaite Green Farm car park and crossing marshy ground to the east to gain the higher lateral path below Grasmoor. Continuing to Rannerdale to reach the footbridge, cross the main stream and continue gradually uphill but then, on an impulse, crossing a small stream on the right to take a faint path diagonally back to the summit ridge of Rannerdale Knotts and on to the summit. Then back along the ridge and descending into Buttermere for a pint in a warm, sunny, friendly beer garden at the Bridge Hotel. Afterwards, heading uphill, slower post beer, by Mill Beck, turning left to a junction of paths and heading past Grassgarth Coppice on a scratchy-dead-bracken-riddled path, slowly descending to meet the path climbing to the low shoulder under Rannerdale Knotts. Descending the steps, joining the road for a kilometre and then taking the path just inside the wall on the west side of the road all the way back to the start.

Conditions: a lovely bright autumn day, hot in the full sun but cool out of it.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Tractor Shed Mowdy pale ale.

Woodland walk from Keswick (inspecting the works)

A 10km walk near the as-yet-unfinished Keswick Railway Path.

Route: Leaving the car on the side of the road at Briar Rigg and walking east along the road to the old station and the Railway Path and following it nearly as far as the A66 where it was blocked. Taking a footpath north to join another and first exploring the settlement (old mill buildings and joinery) below the A66 before crossing the river and joining a muddy path in trees above the river with views of Low Briery caravan park. Descending to rejoin the Railway Path and explore a stage between two bridges before, again, heading north (on a works track) to reach the footpath again. At a fork, descending on wooden steps to walk along the bank in trees, reach a field and again find the Railway Path, then crossing back on a bridge and heading further east. Where the path was again blocked heading north on a road past Brundholme and climbing to join the woodland track under Latrigg. At one stage detouring right, higher up the fell towards the boundary of access land, to be rewarded by a couple of sightings of a deer but also the task of bushwacking steeply downhill beside the barbed wire fence and much gorse back to the track. Following this to the track down past Spooney Green and over the A66.

Conditions: cloudy with hints of late-afternoon sun.

Pub: Keswick being too busy at 6pm, Middle Ruddings, Braithwaite, for Corby Blonde.

Cunswick Scar, Hollins Lane and Hallgarth

A7km run late on a Sunday afternoon.

Route: leaving the car on Caroline Street, just down from Kendal Green, and running across the Green and up Green Hill to cross Windermere Road and pick up a footpath uphill, meeting the lateral path from Queen’s Road. Along this under Hellsfell Nab doubling back parallel to and then crossing the A591 and then running to the top of Cunswick Scar. Descending on a sometimes muddy path to cross the B5284 and follow paths across damp fields to cross the A591 and descend Hollins Lane. At a slight bend, opposite the entrance to Ellergreen, taking a footpath across fields back towards Kendal to the Hallgarth estate and up and over the hill on a tarmac snickleway to Kendal Green and back to the car.

Conditions: despite a sharp shower while driving to the start, dry and mild throughout (with rainbows!)

Pub: the New Union, Kendal, meeting Anne and Frank, for Thornbridge Jaipur IPA and a taste of Fran and Ian’s tapas at the New Union’s 3rd birthday party.