Lake District Walking Guidebook
Lake District - North and Central
Discovery Guides Short Walks of Discovery Series
CONTENTS
- Contents
- How to use this Guide
- Map of the Walk Locations
- Summary of all 18 Walks
- Walk 01: Hallin Fell 2.8 miles
- Walk 02: Ullswater 6.5 miles
- Walk 03: Aira Force 3.5 miles
- Walk 04: Hayeswater 4.8 miles
- Walk 05: Brothers Water 2.7 miles
- Walk 06: Thirlmere 4.7 miles
- Walk 07: Naddle Fell5.3 miles
- Walk 08: Castlerigg Stone Circle 3.8 miles
- Walk 09: Latrigg 6.4 miles
- Walk 10: Ashness Bridge 6.5 miles
- Walk 11: Cat Bells 5.0 miles
- Walk 12: Mirehouse 3.5 miles
- Walk 13: Watendlath 6.0 miles
- Walk 14: Castle Crag 4.0 miles
- Walk 15: Buttermere 4.5 miles
- Walk 16: Rannerdale 5.7 miles
- Walk 17: Loweswater 3.5 miles
- Walk 18: Ennerdale Water 7.0 miles
- Walking & Safety Tips
- Tourist & Useful Information
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The North and Central Lake District provide tourists and walkers with a treasure chest of treasures to explore and enjoy. There are a multitude of landscapes locations and dales to explore, many of them found on the 18 routes in this publication. Ranging from 3 to 7.5 miles they represent a great variety of experiences to discover - the outline details of each are detailed below.
Walk 1: Hallin Fell This is often described as the 'forgotten valley' because of its seclusion. Little has changed since Wordsworth praised the beauty of lush meadows and tinkling streams couched within high fells. The outstanding aerial views over Ullswater from the summit of Hallin Fell rewards a steep, but short, climb.
Walk 2: Ullswater Beginning with a boat trip on the lake from Glenridding, this classic Lakeland walk of scenic splendours returns along Ullswater's eastern shore, via woods, meadows and lower fells. It touches the lakeshore, as well as climbing gently to captivating viewpoints over the lake to distant mountains.
Walk 3: Aira Force As popular with the Victorians as it is today, this walk can be enjoyed even in the rain. Sheltered by attractive mixed woodland, the route follows the course of Aira Beck and its cascading falls up the valley and out onto grassland round the hamlet of Dockray, returning down the opposite bank of Aira Beck.
Walk 4: Hayeswater Once through the attractive hamlet of Hartsop, a gradual ascent of Hayeswater Gill with its plunging waterfall leads to remote Hayeswater, a glacial lake tucked away amidst soaring fells. A few wet areas en route around the lake should not impair an opportunity for quiet contemplation of scenic grandeur.
Walk 5: Brothers Water Lakeland's smallest lake, a gem set in the Hartsop valley, lies at the centre of this gentle walk through embracing woods and meadows with open vistas of encircling towering mountain peaks. A slight diversion to view the historic cottages and farmsteads of the attractive hamlet of Hartsop is recommended.
Walk 6: Thirlmere The outward route on a terraced path along the lower slopes of the Helvellyn range is liberally sprinkled with streams and waterfalls and provides an elevated viewpoint over Thirlmere. The return along the 'drowned' valley hugs the eastern lakeshore, amply endowed with a rich variety of mixed woodland.
Walk 7: Naddle Fell On a fine day after a short, sharp climb, this modest undulating fell is a place to wander, browse, drink in its charm and view distant mountains. The tiny church of St John's in the Vale is worth a visit before returning via a delightful, elevated path above St John's Beck.
Walk 8: Castlerigg Stone Circle The bowl of the Naddle valley provides a marvellous vantage-point for open views of mountain heights. Traversing low fell and lush pastureland, the walk encounters minuscule, isolated Tewet Tarn, a well-preserved ancient stone circle, and a small church with an interesting history.
Walk 9: Latrigg A pleasant amble through the mixed woodland of Greta Gorge affords near and elevated views of the River Greta. A gradual climb through farmland emerges on the airy, grassy heights of Latrigg with spectacular views over Keswick and Derwent Water.
Walk 10: Ashness Bridge A walk which takes in renowned Lakeland viewpoints. From Keswick, a lovely path skirts the tree-fringed eastern shore of Derwent Water. Photogenic Ashness Bridge, a short climb, and an escarpment stroll to Walla Crag with impressive views over Derwent Water, leaves an easy descent via woods and fields.
Walk 11: Cat Bells An enchanting walk with unsurpassable views across Derwent Water from on high and from its western shore. The short, steep climb onto Cat Bells ridge is rewarded by sublime all-round vistas. A steady descent to the lakeside, and a parkland amble round its bays, brings a leisurely end to a memorable walk.
Walk 12: Mirehouse A terraced forest path with fine aerial views over Bassenthwaite Lake drops down through verdant pastures to tiny St Bega's Church in its lovely lakeshore setting. Options available are a visit to the C17th manor house and its gardens, and/or a lakeside stroll which inspired Tennyson's 'Morte d'Arthur'.
Walk 13: Watendlath A beguiling beckside browse through mixed woodland and beside open fell encounters two literary inspirations in dramatic Lodore Falls and the picturesque hamlet of Watendlath and its tarn. A gradual climb onto airy ridges with panoramic views, followed by a wooded valley descent, ends an unforgettable walk.
Walk 14: Castle Crag A walk, with a brief ascent and descent which require care, reveals the natural beauty surrounding the jaws of Borrowdale. Encountered en route are sheer jagged crags, broadleaved woodland, verdant pastures, the tumbling River Derwent, plus magnificent aerial views from the rocky plinth of Castle Crag.
Walk 15: Buttermere This lakeside amble, fashionable with the Victorians, is regarded as one of the finest circuits in the Lake District. The towering rugged mountains which embrace the lake are mirrored in its green glassy waters, and throughout provide awe-inspiring upward views from its tree-fringed shore.
Walk 16: Rannerdale The steady climb up this hidden valley of bluebell-clad lower slopes and sparkling rivulets is followed by a gradual fellside descent with superb views over the vale of Buttermere and its surrounding mountains. The return from Buttermere village is via fields, wood, and lower fell above scenic Crummock Water.
Walk 17: Loweswater Tranquillity is the hallmark of this stroll round an oft-forgotten lovely lake bordered by a rich variety of hardwoods and flower-bedecked pastures. Here is an opportunity to browse at leisure through a soft landscape of Skiddaw Slate with open views of the encircling, grassy low fells.
Walk 18: Ennerdale Water Time is required for the circuit of a crystal-clear lake set in a peaceful valley. An easy meander along its conifer-clad southern shore belies the slower progress on a rocky path along its northern fringes and a short scramble over Anglers Crag. Spell-binding views and serenity reward any effort expended.
The cartography and presentation are excellent and along with very detailed and sectionalised route descriptions combine to provide an outstanding walking guide.
Excellent value for money.
CREDITS AND TECHNICAL DATA
ISBN 0-86309-133-4
64 internal pages printed on 150GSM matt artpaper + 4 page cover printed on 350GSM gloss artboard
Printed in colour. Gloss laminated outer cover. Wiro bound.
Some 15 colour photographs and 10 mono photographs. 175mm high x 125mm wide approx.
Printed in England
Recommended retail price: £4.99
Wa;led and written by: JOHN WATSON.
Photographs copyright of DISCOVERY PHOTO LIBRARY LIMITED.
Published by WALKS OF DISCOVERY LIMITED.
Suite 24, Innovation House, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6XB.
Tel: 01388 601222
FAX: 01388 601444
Web: www.discoveryphotolibrary.co.uk
Web: www.discoveryguides.co.uk
E mail: enquiries@discoveryguides.co.uk