Meeting Time/Location 09:45 at Rosthwaite NT Car Park, Borrowdale, CA12 5XB (Grid Ref: NY257148)
Start Time: 10:00
Finish Time: By 15:00
Car Parking / Public Transport: National Trust £7.50 all day, limited space. Bus Service 78 Keswick – Seatoller. Check Winter Sunday Timetable. Car sharing may be available, please contact the walk leader.
Miles – 7.5 – 8.5 (depending on route of descent).
Ascent – 2200 ft
Grading – Moderate – including a short steep climb at the start of the ascent up Great Crag.
Terrain – Mix of rough tracks and fell paths – in places intermittent. Nothing technical or especially exposed.
Route Description:
A fine outing to two great summits between the upper reaches of the Borrowdale Valley and Watendlath Valley. Leaving the car park we head south along a level path by the side of Stonethwaite Beck, and ascend steeply to the summit of Great Crag through fellside woods, bypassing Dock Tarn on the way. Finding the top can be confusing in low cloud as the paths are sketchy. The ground is boggy in places. From the summit we descend to Watendlath Tarn where we will have lunch. We then head to the highest part of Grange Fell – named ‘Brund Fell’ via intermittent grassy paths followed by a short rocky climb to the top. From the summit we head to King’s How – a secondary summit with an excellent view of Borrowdale and Derwent Water. We then have the option of either double backing on ourselves and taking the path back to Rosthwaite via the Watendlath-Rosthwaite path, or drop steeply off the summit and head back via roadside walking (no footway). Depending on time we have the option of descending via the north path to Grange in Borrowdale, followed by a 2 mile walk back to the car park via woodland and riverside paths.
Health and Safety: Please dress for the weather conditions. Hat, gloves and waterproof/windproof clothing essential. Good sturdy footwear also essential, the ground is rocky in places and boggy in parts – careful footing is needed.. A spare pair of clothes may come in handy especially if forecast is wet/showery. Light levels drop significantly in November and it is advisable you bring a headtorch. Note mobile reception is not reliable in the Borrowdale Valley. The walk leader may choose an alternative route should conditions dictate. The ground is likely to be very wet and quite slippy, and possibly icy if it is particularly cold – please be prepared.
Food and Drink: Please bring plenty of food and drink (water). A hot drink may help to warm you up.
Contact: If you would like to join this walk, please contact Damian on number removed by no later than 10pm on Saturday 13 November.