Meeting point: Whicham church car park (nearest postcode: LA18 5LH)
Meeting time: 09:45
Start time: 10:00
Estimated Finish time: 15:00
Ascent: 600 m
Duration: 4 – 5 hours max, at a leisurely pace.
Difficulty Rating: Easy to Moderate – there are some steeper sections at the start of route, but after this it is a steady ascent to the top.
Distance: 7.5 miles approx.
Parking: Whicham church car park (grid reference: SD 134 826.)
At the end of the Whicham valley road (A595), before the T-junction joining the coast road, take a sharp turn down a gravel lane (on right hand side from Broughton direction, on your left if you’re coming from the coast road) to the car park (*note, this isn’t well signed) and you will see the church on the left as you drive in.
Description:
We will follow the footpath from the church car park and take the lane leading out of the valley to the start of the Black Combe bridle path. The next section above the valley follows a grassy slope – this stretch of path becomes steep very quickly as it winds its way around the lower crags. After this point, the beautiful coastal views to our left will come into view. The path takes us around the side of the Combe until we reach the first cairn, where a further section of the coastline is exposed.
Continuing our ascent to the summit, we will stop for a break to enjoy the panoramic views of mountains and coast. From the top of Black Combe, we will descend for a short while, crossing the ridge to the next summit of White Combe. (Please note: the summits of Black Combe and White Combe offer little shelter from the wind, so if it is a wild, cold and blustery day, it may be necessary to take a lunch-break stop at a lower, more sheltered part of the route).
On reaching White Coombe, we will (in good weather!) have a clearer view of the Coniston fells and the summits of Scafell and Scafell Pike. Following the path back to the side of Black Combe, we will take the lower route just below the summit and descend to our start point in the Whicham valley at a leisurely pace.
On our return to the car park, we will be within easy distance of The Miner’s Arms pub for refreshments, where we can warm up if it’s a cold or wet day. Herdwicks café is also a short drive away and serves snacks, in addition to hot and cold drinks, if this option is preferred by the group.
The weather can be very changeable in late September and visibility is sometimes poor on the Combe – please bring waterproofs and lots of layers!
Please contact Naomi on number removed by 6pm on Friday 20 September if you’d like to join this walk.