High Crag to Starling Dodd

A walk to mark the publication of Cicerone's Western Fells Fellranger.

Route: From the main Grasmere carpark to take a path between the Red Pike ascent path and the stroll round the lake, climbing gently into Burtness Combe and then steeply gaining the summit of High Crag via Sheepbone Rake. Along the ridge to High Style, Red Pike and Starling Dodd. Then descending north west to reach the summit of Gale Fell and a rough pathless descent to Scale Force and back to Grasmere.

Conditions: Still, some sun, but cool out of the sun.

Pub: The Fish at Grasmere for Sneck Lifter and a seasonal Hesket Newmarket beer.

The Scandale Horseshoe

A brisk walk on a cool March day.

Route: From the main Ambleside carpark to High Sweden Bridge and then onto Low Pike and High Pike keeping to the RHS of the ridge wall all the way. At a cairn before the summit of Dove crag, along a path to the prominent cairn at High Bakestones and then following the path down, under Little Hart Crag to the pass at Scandale. Up the long and fairly tedious ascent to Red Screes and then the fine descent back to Ambleside.

Conditions: Some sun but a cold wind. Hazy.

Pub: The Golden Rule at Ambleside for Double Hop and the seasonal Hannibal's Nectar.

Wansfell Pike

A short walk on a day of very low cloud with Ian Lyne.

Route: From the main Ambleside carpark via Lower and Low Gate and then the Old Lake Road to Skelghyll Lane and then the path towards Jenkins Crag, turning left uphill at Kelsick Scar to follow the path past the observatory and then, as before, round towards the back of the hill before climbing up to the summit. Down the direct path towards Stockghyll Force.

Conditions: A sudden fall of damp snow leaving the ground slippy; very low cloud.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for Arran Squirrel and various Watermill beers.

Wansfell Pike

A convalescent stroll on a grey post Christmas day.

Route: From the Organico's car park along Skelghyll Lane and then the path towards Jenkins Crag, turning left uphill at Kelsick Scar to follow a path past the observatory (pictured) and then wiggling about the hill to the summit. Down in the direction of Stockghyll Force.

Conditions: Damp, warm compared to recent frosts, some spots of ice on the ground still.

Pub: White Lion for Youngs Golden Christmas Ale.

Simon's Seat via the Valley of Desolation

A surprisingly tiring expedition across grouse filled moors on a wintry Christmas Day.

Route: From the Cavendish Pavilion carpark (free on Christmas Day) a short way north along the east back of the river before heading east passed Waterfall Cottage and the path to the Valley of Desolation; dropping down into the valley to cross a foot bridge and then walking along next to the river / waterfalls before climbing out, crossing a wood on a track and then climbing slowly across the moors to the head of a valley and then on to Simon's Seat.

Conditions: Cold, snow under foot and low cloud.

Pub: No pub but on to Nunmill House for a pint of York Terrier.

Helm Crag and Gibson Knott

A cold cloudy snowy short walk from a Grasmere Cottage.

Route: From Chapel Cottage, Grasmere, up the Easedale Road to the old Helm Crag path steeply up the edge of the ridge (much less good than the standard new path). Then on the Gibson Knott and down the old shepherds path (100m after a stone throne).

Conditions: Cold, snow under foot and low cloud.

Pub: Travellers Rest for Jennings Sneck Lifter.

Sergeant Man via Blea Rigg

An almost empty mountain landscape on a bright sunny day with snow under foot, from a Grasmere Cottage.

Route: From Chapel Cottage Grasmere up the Easedale Road before turning off left for the Blindtarn Moss path. A slight navigational error in the snow rationalised an early ascent of Swinescar Pike before Castle How and Blea Rigg and then up to Sergeant Man. Back along the same route to find, successfully, a shed Grivel Spider.

Conditions: Bright sun but a very tiring 8-12 inches of powdery snow drifting to a couple of feet.

Pub: Tweedies Bar, Grasmere for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Langdale.