Meet time 9.15am
Start time 9.30am
(Estimated finish time 4.30pm )
Distance 9 – 10 miles / 14.4 – 16 km
Ascent: 3200-3300 feet (975 – 1005 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous)
Start point: Seathwaite
Postcode: CA12 5XJ
Car parking: Plenty of spaces along the road to the hamlet of Seathwaite
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: Starting from the farm in Seathwaite we follow the wide track southwards until coming to a stone bridge (Stockley Bridge). We then take the lesser path heading southwards and going up Grains Gill- bypassing Taylorgill Force and Styhead Tarn. Grains Gill starts as a valley and eventually becomes a ravine upstream. By following the path we come to the mighty eastern face of Great End, with Sprinkling Tarn nearby. After this we take a path southwards to Esk Hause. Upon Esk Hause the first mountain of this journey can be seen looking southwards: Esk Pike. After a slight scramble up the northern side of Esk Pike we reach the rocky top and see at last Bow Fell- the last mountain of this walk.
We then gently descend from Esk Pike and come to the scree and boulder fields of Bow Fell’s northern side. It is a gentle but rocky ascent until we come to the conical-shaped mass of rock which is the summit of Bow Fell. From the summit of Bow Fell every part of the southern Lake District and beyond can be seen- it offers one of the best views out of all the Scafell Range!
After this we depart Bow Fell and return to Esk Pike after which we go to Esk Hause. From Esk Hause we return to Sprinkling Tarn and can return to Seathwaite either via the longer route of Styhead Tarn (time and energy levels permitting) or the shorter route of Grains Gill. Either of the two routes leads back to the stone bridge (Stockley Bridge), and from there an easy walk back to Seathwaite.
For those who are new to hiking or have not done it in at least a few months this is tough walk- despite this route taking the most direct and least steep approach to Bow Fell.
OPTIONAL: If the group has both the energy and strength there is a third way back: to leave Esk Hause eastwards and come first to the nearby Allen Crags and then traverse the hilly and rock ground to reach Glaramara, by going this way there are very unique and special views of both Great End and Great Gable. The summit of Glaramara offers incredible views of Borrowdale and the Skiddaw Range far away. From Glaramara we take the faint path drifting towards the direction of Seathwaite, we then rapidly descend downwards via Hind Crag- but be warned this is very difficult even in dry conditions. But this faint path does return back to the wide track connecting Seathwaite to Stockley Bridge. This third route WILL NOT be attempted if the conditions are misty or very windy.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 15 April if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). This walk is suitable for dogs but please make sure you keep your dog under control as parts of the walk pass by pastures where sheep graze.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing is now possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.