Wed, 1 Jan 2025
Moderate – Circular from Portinscale: The route takes us through woods skirting the shores of Derwentwater, onward to Skelgill then Newlands Beck. Nothing too wild but a good way to blow those cobwebs away. Woodland tracks, quiet lanes, beckside and field paths. About 6.5 miles.
Wed, 8 Jan 2025
Moderate – Whinlatter Forest Trails: From the bus stop near the gallery in Thornthwaite (the first bus stop in the village when approaching it from Keswick), we will follow the lovely Comb Beck Trail climbing across the lower slopes of Thwaitehill Knotts before veering off into an equally delightful bridleway meandering across Thornthwaite Forest. The variety of trails and bridleways makes this walk very flexible, but, half-way through, I envisage going past the Whinlatter Visitor Centre and then entering Hospital Plantation (on the other side of the B5292) and following Heavy Sides Trail and Masmill Beck Trail before rambling to Braithwaite along the bottom bridleway to catch the return bus leaving Braithwaite for Keswick at 15.06. Approximately 8 undulating miles.
Sun, 12 Jan 2025
Moderate – Borrowdale Circuit: Leaving Rosthwaite initially along the Cumbria Way, follow River Derwent upstream, ascend into Johnny Wood, skirt around Seatoller, through Stonethwaite into Langstrath. 7 miles, ascent/descent 150m.
Easy – Around Brundholme: The walk explores the woodlands below Latrigg with great views to the south and east on a fine day. An undulating route with several modest ascents amounting to a total of around 600′ (180m) over the course of the day, less if the option is taken to return via the Railway Path. About 5 ½ miles (9km). Paths mostly good but may be muddy/slippery in places. No stiles.
Wed, 22 Jan 2025
Challenging – A Coledale Round: Starting from Braithwaite the round will take in Grisedale Pike and Crag Hill. We may visit Causey Pike before returning. Very approximately 15km (9.5 miles) with about 900m (3000ft) of ascent.
Moderate – Great Cockup: Starting at Overwater we walk on a quiet country lane to Orthwaite before a grassy climb to Great Cockup (950 ft of ascent). Descending to the pass of Trusmadoor and depending on weather, time and fitness levels, we have the option on climbing Meal Fell (another 300 ft of ascent). In both cases return is across the moorland on well marked tracks to Longlands from whence a mile of lane walking brings us back to the car. About 6 miles and 1200 ft of ascent.
Easy – Cat Bells Terrace: From Portinscale Bridge, we will walk to High Brandelhow before climbing up to cross the road and joining the Catbell’s terrace path. We will return by walking to Hawes End and back to Portinscale. Approximately 6 miles and 700 feet of ascent.
Sun, 26 Jan 2025
Moderate – Heughscar Hill & Arthur’s Pike: Start in Pooley Bridge. The route is Winder Hall Farm, Heughscar Hill (ish), The Cockpit, Arthur’s Pike summit and lower cairn, and back to Pooley Bridge, miraculously without much re-tracing of steps although it is a figure of eight! Technology says 13km and 461m of ascent but I think it’s less!
Wed, 5 Feb 2025
Moderate – Raven Crag and its Environs: Starting at the Dam Road End, c6½ miles and ±440m ascent/descent, taking in superb views down Thirlmere, with the possibility of the excitement of an RAF escort. An initial ascent of Great How along stony (and wet) paths with its stunning view down Thirlmere before crossing the dam and taking the stiff pull to the top of Raven Crag. The return, on winding forest tracks is more gentle. Note that some footpaths are narrow, stony, wet and muddy after rain.
Easy – Around Loughrigg: From White Moss the route gradually climbs to Red Bank before dropping to skirt Loughrigg Tarn. From there a 2nd, steeper, climb is made to the shoulder of Loughrigg Fell before descending to Ambleside via Miller Brow. About 5miles (8km) with around 700 feet (215m) of ascent over the 2 climbs. Paths mostly good but rocky in places. 1 stile.
Sun, 9 Feb 2025
Challenging – Bowscale Fell, Bannerdale, Souther: From Mungrisdale, ascend steeply via Raven Crag to Bowscale Fell, continue around the rim of Bannerdale Crags. Descend over White Horse Bent to cross River Glenderamackin and ascend Souther Fell. The diagonal descent path will then be taken back to Mungrisdale. 13km 740m.
Wed, 19 Feb 2025
Moderate – Sale Fell and Ling Fell: This walk is a figure of 8 starting at Peel Wyke near the Pheasant Inn. We ascend through Wythop Woods on forest tracks, then over Lothwaite top and on to the summit of Sale Fell. We descend to the Wythop valley, cross Brumston Bridge, take the old coffin route along the flank of Ling Fell, and ascend to the summit. After a short but steep descent, we return to Brumston Bridge, then skirt the western end of Sale Fell, and take the lane to Routenbeck and back to the start. About 7.5 miles and 500 metres ascent. Good paths throughout.
Wed, 5 Mar 2025
Moderate – Grasmere, Silver How, High Close YH, Grasmere.
Easy – Greta Wood, Falcon Crag Terrace & Derwentwater: The walk is an exploration of local woodlands and the fellside below Falcon Crag, returning by the lakeside. Total ascent about 450′ (140m) with a steady climb of about 300′ through Springs Wood near the start. Total distance about 6 miles (9.5km) with shorter options. Paths rough and possibly slippery in places. No stiles.
Sun, 9 Mar 2025
Challenging – Loughrigg and Silver How: From Rydal Mount through to Ambleside, Miller Brow, Lily Tarn, Loughrigg, Hammerscar plantation, Dow Bank, Spedding Crag, Silver How. Descend steeply and through Wyke Plantation to road, join lake shore, continue along Rydal Water to Rydal Mount. 16km, 900m ascent.
Moderate – High Tilberthwaite Round: This lovely undulating walk of 8.5 miles (with circa 1,300 feet of ascent) will start in Elterwater, where we will park at the NT car park. From there, we will follow the Cumbria Way to Skelwith Force, whence we will cross Great Langdale Beck and swing westwards towards Little Langdale, taking in another waterfall, Colwith Force, en route. We will then do a 2.5-mile detour via High Tilberthwaite using two delightful bridleways before reaching Little Langdale. There we will visit the magnificent Cathedral Cave before crossing over Slater’s Bridge and picking up the bridleway leading back to Elterwater.
Wed, 19 Mar 2025
Challenging – The Howgills: Long gradual climb up to Fell Head followed by a delightful undulating ridge walk to The Calf. Down to Calders and on to Great Dummocks to walk above Cautley Crags, crossing the head of the spout, returning via Force Gill beck. 17k 10.5 miles, 1047m 3435ft.
Moderate – Blake Fell: Starting at Waterend on the shores of Loweswater we ascend up past Holme Force Waterfall to the Terrace; from there we ascend Burnbank Fell. A boggy walk to the summit of Blake Fell follows. From there we traverse round to Gavel Fell before descending to High Nook farm. Finally we make our way back to the cars along the shore of Loweswater. About 2000ft of ascent and 9 miles.
Easy – Ambleside to Grasmere via Loughrigg Terrace: From Scandale Bridge the walk is via Rydal Park, Rydal Church (with hopefully a great display of native daffodils in Dora’s Field), Loughrigg Terrace, Redbank Wood, Huntingstile Lane and Redbank Road. About 5.5 miles (9km) and around 450′ (140m) of ascent. Ascents mostly gradual, descents rather steep in places and there may be slippery sections. No stiles.
Sun, 23 Mar 2025
Challenging – Steel Fell and Seat Sandal: From Low Mill Bridge, climb to Steel Fell. Descend steeply to Steel End Farm. Ascend Raise Beck, and then Seat Sandal via the wall. Descend to Travellers Rest for a coffee while waiting for bus. Meet at Booths in time to catch the 9.30am bus to the Travelers Rest (Winterseeds) arriving around 9:55. 12km, 1000m ascent.
Moderate – High Rigg and Tewett Tarn: Returning to Keswick from Grasmere across Dunmail Raise, one is confronted by an unexpected steep and abrupt fell. A study of the map reveals it to be shaped like a wedge. This little gem is known locally as Naddle Fell, but the wider community knows it as High Rigg. It may be one of the lowest fells in the area but its isolated position grants it views of a third of the Furths in England – Helvellyn and Skiddaw – and, of course, Blencathra. From our start point, we’ll immediately climb up onto the fell where the wedge becomes very obvious. As we climb, the views will become more spectacular, yet we’ll feel alone in a seemingly remote landscape. After a stop to savour the views and enjoy our morning refreshments, we’ll make our way to the summit, a small rocky knoll. Our grassy descent, which can be slippery when wet, takes us to lunch, after which we’ll visit a water supply and landscape with a history of brewing (beer, not tea). Our return journey follows the delightful beck meandering through the pastures of St. John’s in the Vale, where we’ll stop for afternoon refreshments en route. c8 miles and c 1,500’/460m.
Easy – Around Derwent: From the Moot Hall at we will walk around Derwent through Portinscale and around to Lodore. Bus back available at Lodore or Borrowdale Hotel. Distance about 6 miles.
Wed, 2 Apr 2025
Challenging – Skiddaw Little Man and Lonscale Fell: From Spooney Green Lane we head up to Skiddaw Little Man via the tourist route. After dropping down to the hause below Skiddaw, we double back to Jenkin Hill and then over to Lonscale Fell, returning along the Cumbria Way, with a final climb over Latrigg (if time and energy allow!). About 18 km and 1100m of ascent.
Moderate – Blea Rigg, Codale Tarn Crag, Grasmere: Grasmere, Lang How, round Blea Rigg, drop down to path at Belles Knott, Codale Tarn, Tarn Crag, back to Grasmere for bus.
Easy – Longlands Fell: Walk will be up Longlands Fell, down Charleton Gill and back on track to Longlands – height climbed 1000 feet.
Sun, 6 Apr 2025
Challenging – Glaramara, Allen Crags and Seathwaite Fell: From parking area by Thorneythwaite Farm (honesty box) we ascend Glaramara via Thorneythwaite Fell. We continue to Allen Crags before descending to Esk Hause. We take the downward path to Sprinkling Tarn, then cross onto Seathwaite Fell before descending over Aaron Crags back to Thorneythwaite via Stockley Bridge. 18.5km, 3315ft ascent.
Moderate – Keldas and Red Tarn: Leaving Glenridding we’ll climb to the top of today’s only Wainwright, stopping on the way to savour the vista and scoff our elevenses. Leaving Birkhouse Moor, fine views of Catstycam guide us to Red Tarn, where we’ll relax in the sun and take our lunch. With most of the climbing over, we’ll head down towards Grisedale, stopping briefly at Lanty’s Tarn before a brief climb to admire an unusual view of Ullswater from Keldas. Ice-creams await in Gledridding as reward for a 7 mile walk in, what promises to be, sunny weather. Don’t forget the suncream!
Easy – Gowbarrow the easier way: The bus is used to give an elevated start reducing the summit climb to 650′ (200m). The planned route from Matterdale church is via Ulcat Row and Milses to the summit and the descent is via Yew Crag to the Aira Force Visitor Centre. Total ascent over the day is about 800′ (250m) and the distance is about 5 miles (8km). The main ascent is steep in parts so will be taken slowly. The descent route is mostly quite gradual. Paths are rough/rocky in places. No stiles.
Wed, 16 Apr 2025
Easy – Dalton’s Cave and Johnny Wood: The walk explores 2 sites of interest in Borrowdale. From the Lodore Hotel the walk is via Manesty, Peace How and Hollows Farm and the riverside path with a visit to the famous Millican Dalton’s Cave. After New Bridge field paths are taken to the Johnny Wood nature reserve and on to Seatoller. A low level walk with 2 modest ascents: the first (to the cave) is optional, the second (to the wood) is steep and may be slippery but can be omitted by leaving the walk early. About 5½ miles (9km) with shorter options. Paths are rough/rocky in places and there may be wet sections. No stiles.