The Remote North

• Remote and lonely walking
• Great views north and west
• Easy walking on the tracks

Chris Bonnington may have climbed Everest and taken on many of the great peaks in the world but he made his home in Caldbeck under the fells of the far northern Lakes. He loves walking on to High Pike and beyond and takes as much satisfaction and pleasure out  of a 4 hour tramp in this remote (relatively in his case!) but enchanting landscape. I enjoy these fells as well, the rolling landscape offers a feel of space and emptiness that differs to the rest of the Lakes. I have always found the walking easy (as long as the main ridges are broadly kept to, otherwise it can be very wet), enjoyed the logistical challenge of stringing the fells together and on my last visit discovered how good the views actually are to the north and west over the Solway Furth and the Scottish hills of Galloway. My favourite walk here is a circular over High Pike and the Knott before it makes a leisurely and thoroughly enjoyable descent over Brae Fell to Fellside; well worth the trek round to Caldbeck.

Recommend: Read the inscription on the bench on the summit of High Pike. The love of a 16 year old for the Lakeland fells is movingly written and induces an almost melancholy mood which epitomises the pleasures of this area. No wonder it was the first place Bonnington visits after his epic expeditions.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL5 The English Lakes North-eastern section
Start Point:	323399. Head for the farm at Nether Row from Caldbeck found on the lane from the west end of the village
Terrain:	Tracks are clear throughout although they can become quite wet and muddy. I prefer finishing along the roads from Fellside.
Eating & Drinking:	Caldbeck is a large village with the Oddfellows Arms dominating the eating and drinking options. No need to go any further
Similar Walks Nearby:	Bowscale Tarn & Bannerdale Crags Skiddaw via Ullock Pike Climbing Blencathra from Threlkeld
Places to Stay:	Old Rectory B & B, Caldbeck Pottery Cottage, near Caldbeck Glebe Cottage, Caldbeck