Meet time: 9.15am
Start time: 9.30am
Estimated finish time: 1.30pm to 2pm.
Distance: About 5.1 miles (8.21 kilometres).
Ascent: About 2210 feet (674 meters).
Ramblers walk grading: B (Moderate).
Start point: Car-park close to Lanthwaite Green Farm.
Postcode: CA13 9UY
Car parking: Along the Lorton/Buttermere road (B5289) there are lay-bys and flat grassy stretches next to the road for parking. There is also the car-park next to Lanthwaite Green Farm. I would recommend getting their before 9am as this section can fill up quickly with parked cars. For further directions please contact the walk leader.
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: Going at a leisurely pace this is a moderate walk, and not too strenuous given the shorter distance.
We cross the road and briefly walk along the moorland to reach the mouth of Gasgale Gill. To the left is Whiteside and to the right is the mighty Grasmoor. We follow the northern path running parallel to Liza Beck. We gradually ascend through Gasgale Gill with the slope becoming moderate when the gill bends right heading for Coledale Hause.
Upon the grassy Coledale Hause we are surrounded by Sand Hill, Grasmoor, Crag Hill and Grisedale Pike and the next part of the ascent, and a brief steep section, is up Sand Hill (756 meters). Once at the top of Sand Hill it starts really opening up and it is a leisurely stroll to the summit of Hopegill Head (770 meters).
Now Hopegill Head is a brilliant summit as you gaze down at three valleys: Hobcarton Gill, Hope Gill and Gasgale Gill, and there are brilliant views of Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike, the Skiddaw Range and many other tops in the Lake District.
We then head westwards along the brilliant ridgeline of Whiteside itself as bobs up and down slightly, but the path is sturdy and there is no scrambling nor any true exposure. We go past the highest summit of Whiteside, coming in at 719 meters, and aim for the western summit and the Wainwright summit (707 meters). This is a wonderful vantage point of Gasgale Gill, Grasmoor, the Whiteside ridgeline and of course Loweswater and the Solway Firth.
We then began a steep descent which has two stages: the first drops 300 meters and comes to a halt at the knobbly White Ben (413 meters), we then drop another 200 or so meters before returning to the moorland. From there it’s a quick and easy walk back to the start point.
Afterwards we can to Buttermere to the Sykes Farm Tea Room.
There is also a Summit Good dinner, to celebrate the ending of winter, at the Piri Fresco, a Portuguese restaurant. The dinner starts at 5pm and I have booked a table of 12. If you wish to join please message me on 07842 783319.
Please fill out the Registration Form to join by 10pm on Friday 27 February if you are coming on this walk. If this doesn’t work then please contact the walk leader, Miles, on 07842 783319 (text or phone, WhatsApp, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). When you register online, I will reply within 24 hours.
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 may be 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.
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