• A small fell of great character amongst giants
• Good underfoot walking
• Views up and down the Buttermere valley

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mist-buttermere

At only 1,160 foot Rannerdale Knotts is often ignored , particularly as it sits at the foot of bigger and grander fells and driving along the road it simply merges in to its neighbours. However this belies what is an idyllic 1/2 mile ridge and the hidden depths of Rannerdale valley itself (according to Wainwright the scene of a battle between the Anglos and invading Normans but how they came to be in a side valley of Buttermere is a bit of a mystery). The walking is excellent and the views outstanding both up Buttermere and down the Lorton Valley. I took my time, sat on its small rocky summit, my mind wondering back over 35 years to when my parents regularly took us to a little beach at the foot of Rannerdale Knotts where we swam, canoed and skimmed our way through my childhood. Ahhh…

Recommend: Do take the route that goes through Rannerdale valley and not from Buttermere.

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keswick-from-dodd

Up to the age of 7 we holidayed in the idyllic little hamlet of Millbeck staying with my gran so any visit to the area known as Underskiddaw brings back plenty of memories. I do remember never quite understanding why Dodd, of all hills, had to have its coat of trees when all else was bare but I would urge anyone on this walk to take to its steep slopes and climb to the top – the views are superb once you break out of the trees with a few hundred feet of climbing to go although be aware that forestry tracks marked on a map are not always there! We had to take to the steep slopes at one point. Walking in the floodplain between Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater is easy and straightforward to follow as a number of people clearly follow the Allerdale Ramble which links Seathwaite in Borrowdale and the Coast. This is a really good wet weather walk when the clouds are over the high summits, full of interest and adventure.

Recommend: Have a look for the house in Millbeck called Rowling End – what a magnificent place, why did the family ever sell it!

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views-over-keswick-from-barf

The Bishop of Barf always catches my eye on the road from Keswick to Cockermouth; a splash of white washed rock on steep screes and surrounded by what looks like dense forestry. This is a steep climb but the rewards are many as the path breaks out on to the flatter lands near the summit. The walking between Barf and Lord’s Seat is exceptional, as are the panoramic views with an airy feel uplifting the spirits. The path from Thornthwaite is a good pull and in the wet can be a little unpleasant (particularly when it navigates a large uprooted tree) but I climbed it recently with the children and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, particularly messing around in Beckstones Gill. The Bishop itself lies off the main track and is not a recommended route of ascent (a grinding scree slope) but the story behind the whitewashed rock is good: apparently in 1783 the Bishop of Derry killed himself and his horse whilst trying to drunkenly ride direct to the summit….mmm.

Recommend: If time permits carry on from Lords Seat in to Whinlatter Forest and drop slowly down to Braithwaite, if they have not altered the forest roads!

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the-newlands-valley

I have included this circuit of Ard Crags in my Top 100 for two main reasons; the ridge is excellent, a grassy knife edge and Newlands the valley simply deserves some closer exploration. Many will pass Ard Crags by car and never even know it exists; assuming that it is part of the long Eel Crags /Causey Pike ridge as the steep heathery slopes blend in together. Not many therefore climb on to its wonderful ridge of easy walking and outstanding views across Newlands, Derwentwater and the central fells of the Lake District. There is not a better mile of walking in the area, particularly relieving after the steep climb that precedes it. Last time I was up, myself and JP cut across to Braithwaite over the hause of Causey Pike and Scar Crags but this time contented myself with a leisurely stroll back to the car.

Recommend: Follow the ridge till it overlooks Buttermere, beautiful.

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• Remote road end walking
• Undulating ridge with great views
• Look out for the herds of red deer

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over-sandwick-from-martindale

Along with the Duddon Valley the back of Ullswater and, in particular walking the valley and hills of Martindale, reveal the very best of the Lake District. The rolling ridge of Beda Fell stands isolated and graceful between Boardale and Martindale with views looking back over Hallin Fell and the fantastic perspective of the bend of Ullswater. There is no through road here so everyone visiting Martindale is there to appreciate the scenery or make a delivery to one of the isolated farms – this feeling of remoteness is unusual and always very welcome in the Lake District. The ridge of Beda Fell is best joined right at the northern end with 1,100 foot of climbing to the small unobtrusive summit; to the south the ridge stretches on to Angletarn Crags with a major track doubling back towards Dale Head farm and the lovely valley of Martindale. Photographic opportunities abound in the valley with my favourites near the 17th century church and the area near Coombe Heights.

Recommend: It was very tempting to include a full round of Martindale as a Classic Circuit with a final descent off the Nab but I enjoy the valley so much that a more relaxed exploration of Beda Fella and Martindale can be made.

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wastwater-from-yewbarrow

Yewbarrow may be surrounded by many of the Lakeland giants but in my opinion a walk up its steep slopes outshines them all. I think it is a waste to leave it as the concluding peak on a typical Pillar round as tiredness will remove the enjoyment of its craggy flanks, entertaining scrambling, spectacular views of Great Gable, Pillar and the tumbling screes of Wastwater. Its profile is often described as an upturned boat and it makes a striking site on the drive down the shores of Wastwater. As with all walks in Wasdale the initial climb is steep but I prefer gaining height quickly and having a more leisurely finish. The path disappears before the main ridge is reached but the route should never be more than a scramble (if it looks that way turn back) and is one of the most enjoyable scrambles in the Lakes – popping out on the high ridge just shy of the south top. After a pleasant 1/2 a mile of easy walking between the two summits there is another short scramble down to the col at Dore Head and a pleasant stroll above the stream back to your start point. There is not a finer walk in the Lake District.

Recommend: I like to take my time on Yewbarrow and spend more time with the camera trying to get that perfect shot!

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red-tarn-the-crinkles

Climbing Cold Pike from the high pass at Wrynose Pass may feel a bit like cheating but in reality it is an excellent way of visiting a high Lakeland fell with a minimum of effort. For a child that struggles with both fitness or boredom on a normal 2,000 foot pull or an older couple who’s knees may be shot this is an excellent way of experiencing a craggy peak in the central belt of Lakeland mountains that lie above Langdale. The views from the summit offer a supreme panorama with Crinkle Crags and Pike o’Blisco showing to great effect. Throw in Red Tarn which nestles between Cold Pike and Pike O ‘Blisco and some pleasant scrambling opportunities just off the return path and this short climb offers much more than a look on the map would suggest. Cold Pike is 2,260′ feet high but only a 1,000 foot climb from Wrynose Pass. For information Wrynose refers to ‘a stallion’ which would be needed to drag any object up its steep sides.

Recommend: The perspective of the entire Duddon Valley all the way to the sea is superbly laid out from the summit of Cold Pike.

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looking-east-on-gowbarrow

In the past I had always resented paying the car parking fees to climb Gowbarrow (1425′) via Aira Force and had scuttled up from the parking near Dockray but last week I put my hand in my pocket and ‘discovered’ Aira Force. It is without a shadow of a doubt the finest way to climb Gowbarrow (which I have always enjoyed anyway) and would now recommend it to anyone. The woods of Aira Force were planted in the 1780′s by the Howard family as a landscaped playground themed around the 70 foot main waterfall. Walking past the falls soon brought me on to the open, heather clad, fell side of Gowbarrow and a steep climb along the wall to its summit. Much of the joy of Gowbarrow is missed on this climb because it tends to wend its way on the lower ground between the mounds and rocky outcrops which so characterise the fell. However following the higher ground towards the lake does offer a full appreciation of the fell and in particular the superb view both ways of Ullswater. The Victorians loved this spot but it is not now as popular partly at least because, for those tight fisted amongst us, access to the fell is not that straightforward.  This National Trust land and they do a fine job but the car parking charges……

Recommend: 300 below from the terminus of the high ground to the south of the actual summit lies a pile of boulders which offer one of the finest picnic spot in the Lake District. The views are picture perfect.

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the-real-lion-the-lamb

Many walkers look back on their childhood and name the Lion & the Lamb (or Helm Crag as it is officially named) as their first memory of the Lake District fells. It is not high, easy to climb, easily accessible from Grasmere but it is the summit area which makes it memorable. The highest point is exceptionally tricky to reach (Wainwright himself never made it) as it is atop a 20 foot slab of rock which requires some careful scrambling and airily situated overlooking the A591 1,000 foot below. The view from below offers one of the most iconic images of any Lake District fell, although I struggle to see any resemblance to a Lion or a lamb, just a sharp blade of rock. In fact the original Lion and the Lamb from where the fell was originally named is not the summit but lies a few hundred yards to the south but hey ho, why ruin a good story. Away from the summit area this is a lovely climb on an excellent path with great views over Far Easedale to Easedale Tarn and back over the village of Grasmere and Loughrigg Fell (another little beauty).

Recommend: Keep to the woods on the return from the fell and head through the grounds of Lancrigg.

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latterbarrow-monument

Walking from Hawkshead always struck me as very limited with the hills a little distant and Esthwaite Water difficult to get at. Not so, as the ascent to Latterbarrow Monument is a very worthy short walk. Throw in some forestry and delightful views opening up down Esthwaite Water and this 4 mile walk takes on a satisfying purpose. Latterbarrow itself may only be 800 foot high but it does stand proud and isolated from any other high ground which makes it an interesting viewpoint in all directions. Rather than return directly to Hawkshead from the summit I headed into the forest that leads to Claiffe Heights and Beatrix Potter Country – finding my way rather better than I did on Claiffe Heights. Breaking out from the forest there are some great views of Esthwaite Water and across to the Coniston Fells before the track landed me back at pretty Colthouse and the short walk back to Hawkshead. Latterbarrow is another of Wainwright’s outlying fells which really should be included in his main guide books….despite its rather meagre height.

Recommend: Spend time on the summit of Latterbarrow and start counting the number of summits that you can see, if not recognise. In particular wander over to the Lake Windermere slopes with excellent views over the Fairfield Horseshoe.

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