Steel Fell, Calf Crag, Gibson Knott, Helm Crag
Meeting Point: Grasmere Village Green, opposite the book shop
Parking / Transport: Pay and Display in village, or layby on A591.
Grasmere is served by the 555 bus service from Kendal, and also 599, calls at Ambleside and Windermere.
Meeting Time: 09:45
Start Time: 10:00
Finish Time: 15:00-15:30 approx
Miles: 8 and half
Ascent: 2300 ft
Grading: Moderate, no technical difficulties
Terrain: Varied, road walking, grassy/rocky ridge walking – a little scrambly in parts, and pathless marshy ground.
Walk Description
A walk around the Greenburn valley, visiting 4 summits in total. Leaving Grasmere village we walk for a couple of miles along quiet country lanes, bypassing Goody Bridge and Low Mill Bridge. At Ghyll Foot we enter the Green Burn Valley, and take the direct ascent of Steel Fell along its southern ridge. Reaching the summit, we bear west, then south west towards Crag Fell, the traverse can be a bit confusing in mist, with no path at first, the ground is also very marshy! From Calf Crag we head south east towards the next summit Gibson Knott, along the southern ridge enclosing Green Burn valley. From Gibson Knott we continue along the ridge to the final summit of Helm Crag. This is an excellent top with two distinct rocky rampants – the highest often called the ‘Lion and the Lamb’. From the top its a short steep rocky descent, followed by quiet country lane walking back to where we started.
Health and Safety:
Please dress to the weather conditions. Hat, gloves (spare pairs very useful), waterproofs, warm clothing and sturdy boots essential. Gaiters may also be very handy given parts of the walk venture into marshy/boggy ground. Please check the forecast in advance. The walk leader has the right to cancel/vary the walk should circumstances dictate. If forecast is for very heavy rain/gales, then a low level alternative might be chosen.
Lunch/breaks:
Please bring sufficient food and drink (water/hot drinks). We will stop for regular breaks, and a lunch stop – where there is shelter.
Contact:
If you would like to join the walk, please contact Damian on number removed by no later than 10pm Saturday 3 October
The leader reserves the right to cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.We strongly advise walkers to carry hand sanitiser and to touch as little as possible during the walk. We will walk 2m apart as much as possible. We will not be able to share any equipment, drinks or food. Please carry a mask in your bag in case it is needed. If we need to go through a gate, the walk leader will take responsibility for opening and closing the gate to save multiple people touching it. Car sharing will not be possible.