Sunday, 10 December 2017

Strenuous 8.1 miles / 13 km

Some of this route is unreccied – description is taken from a walk on WalkHighlands

Meet time: 9.15am

Start time: 9.30am

Start point: Village green in Grasmere (junction of Broadgate and College Street LA22 9SY)

Car parking: There is a variety of parking in and around Grasmere. There are various pay and display car parks in the village as well as some free roadside parking on the A591 south of the Travellers Rest Inn.

Description:  Head along the road towards Allan Bank and continue to the last cottage before the intake wall.  Through the gate, follow the wall and later the track to lead through another gate out onto the fells.

From the gate it is a short but fairly steep climb first of all on grass and then the path has washed out to form a stoney stretch, climbing steadily in a south west direction and heading for Wray Gill.  Crossing the gill and up the slippy bank the other side head south.  A steady gradient and another 550 metres will find you on the summit of Silver How.  The path from Silver How now goes off in a north westerly direction and skirting the edges of Brigstone Moss until passing under the craggy face of Lang How to then come across Swinescar Pike.  Head across to Blea Rigg passing a stone built shelter/bivvy on the way which would just about accommodate two people. Continue on heading for the cairn which is at the head of the path leading down the gulley, passing between Belles Knott and Eagle Crag whilst making its way down, above, and to the south of Codale Tarn. The descent into Grasmere via Easedale Tarn is quite long but is well made.

Distance: Approx 13km/8 miles

Ascent: Approx 600m

Time: 6 – 7 hours

Please contact Mel on number removed by 6pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk.  It is advisable to carry a headtorch and plenty of warm clothing at this time of year.

The leader reserves the right to cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.