The ‘Other’ Borrowdale is situated near Tebay just off the M6. However the walk goes through a unspoilt valley and returns via the rolling countryside on its north side. Amongst other things there are interesting views of the M6.
There is a sizeable clutch of beautiful unspoilt land to the north of Kendal. The best is sandwiched between the M6 near Tebay and the A6. It is dominated by the ‘other’ Borrowdale which cuts a deep (but wide) swathe through rolling fells that are more reminiscent of the neighbouring Howgills than the Lakes to the west. I have looked at these fells year in year out as I sped up the M6 but never bothered to stop and investigate them more closely.
On my first visit in 2010 I explored the valley without really knowing what to expect. I walked up the valley from the east expecting to make a long loop to the south. However on arrival at the stepping stones near the A6 I changed plans and headed up to the rolling hills to the north which cling closely to the Borrowdale Valley. It was good choice. The walking on the ridge is excellent (there is a path) and the views interesting with the M6 to be seen but surprisingly not heard. Try it.
A political one. I am delighted this walk is now protected by the new boundaries of the Lake District National Park. Well deserved.
There are no real paths on the grassy ridge to the north of the valley. Therefore pick your way from rounded lump to rounded lump. If in cloud take a bearing between them.
I hope you have a Silva compass and the area’s OS map – learn to use them, don’t rely on your phone’s GPS – Granite, etc, can hinder your signal, you can loose signal. And battery power! Take Snickers bars – peanuts have a lot of energy or take Mars bars or high energy bars. Take small Satsumas – energy within about half an hour! Always take water and water cleansing tablets, etc, we only survive about 3 days without water or less if you’ve not kept your fluids up. DON’T FORGET YOUR DOG NEEDS WARM CLOTHING, FOOD (dried biscuits) AND WATER, TOO! Take extra warm clothing for yourself: long trousers (not jeans they hold the cold and stay wet if it rains) (tight trousers aren’t good either as warm body air can’t circulate to keep you warmer). Wear 3 to 4 thinner layers on upper body and tuck a couple of layers into your trousers to keep body warmth in. Then wear a fleece and a waterproof jacket with a hood, from your rucksack – it’s colder higher up you walk and windier, if it rains it shall get much colder. Always wear proper walking boots and always wear socks as they fill out the gaps between your feet and inner boots – less blisters (warmer feet) buy walking boots with wiggle room for wearing walking socks – don’t wear tight socks (tight socks can act as tight boots/shoes) they will keep your feet colder as the warmth from your feet can’t circulate inside your socks. Cold feet can become numb. Take plasters, safety pins, small spray of antiseptic for wounds and paracetamol. Take with you any of your own medication too. Take hat, scarf, gloves – if your hands get cold you can’t operate your phone properly, etc. Wear a mountain head torch this keeps your hands free – carry spare batteries and possibly a spare head torch, too, with batteries. Look for cover away from the wind and rain if possible. IMPORTANT: Have a Hi-Visability vest or jacket in your rucksack – stay alive and be seen. Always have a fully charged phone, don’t waste too much battery on photos! Always check the weather in high areas like mountains, hills and moorlands the weather is different in these areas. Rivers are also dangerous places if you fall in it only takes 4 seconds to get water into your lungs when breathed in, and you can drown of ‘Secondary Drowning’ – a couple of days later. If you are in any sort of difficulty: weather wise, health wise, you’re lost, phone 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue don’t hang about in phoning them. Take a Panoramic view of the area and a photo of where you are, and a photo of yourself with your Hi-Visabiliy vest or jacket on, and send them to Police/Mountain Rescue. You’ll be easier to find with your Hi-Visability on. I hope this helps to keep the less knowledgeable person safer, and sensible. Always walk with other people.
I walked that area today, and came back on the north side of Borrow Beck through head high bracken. When you get to NY 60217 01901 / 54.411,-2.614, beware of using an OS map – it takes you to a steep ravine with tall trees on the other side and buzzards shouting from the tree tops. You’d need to head north at least 100m through bracken to the fence line where you’ll then find a track which will safely take you along and down to the gate. Is that a deliberate OS map error or something that’s disappeared over time?
We walked up from Huck’s Bridge via Ashtead Fell to Whinfell Beacon and then back up the Borrowdale Valley. The best part was that we hardly saw anybody on the high part, and only a few when we came down to the stream side track. Magnificent windless, sunny weather although the visibility was not very good. All those poor souls driving up the M6 without any idea of the nearby beauty. I would let the masses stay round Ambleside and keep places such as this for the few!! The stepping stones at Huck’s Bridge end were not passable when we visited.
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