| Walk: | Rusland Pool Hotel, The Causeway, Haverthwaite Heights, Backbarrow, Bigland Allotment, High Gate, Bigland Tarn , Birk Dault Wood, Low Wood, Cumbria Coastal Way, Rusland Pool Hotel | ||
| Start Point: | Rusland Pool Hotel | Grid Reference: | SD 329 843 |
| Distance: | 9 miles | Ascent: | 1,300 feet |
| Time: | 5.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | Bright but cold with a short, light shower | ||
| Comments: | On an unexpectedly fine morning twenty
intrepid souls braved a dubious weather forecast to sally forth from
the Rusland Pool Hotel on this 9 mile hike. It was surprisingly
bright although chilly as we followed the Leven tributary north and
across The Causeway to Haverthwaite Heights. We descended through
the woods and crossed the river, swollen by recent rains. It was a
strange feeling stood on the bridge only a couple of feet away from
the racing waves. The alluring smell of fried bacon was a temptation
to linger awhile in Backbarrow as now began a serious climb out of
the village onto Bigland Allotment, guarded by a lovely, swampy
section even crocodiles avoided. (Well, did you see any?!!) The
removal of rainwear signalled the arrival of a short, light shower.
The difference in temperature over The Allotment was noticeable – a
sharp wind blowing in from the south. Yellow topped markers guided
us through the tussocky grass to the tiny tarn where we had lunch.
Thereafter we passed Bigland Tarn which was by now bathed in winter
sunshine. Here we joined the Cumbria Coastal Way which led us
downhill to the river. Thereafter there was a pleasant riverside
walk which abruptly ended at the A590 where we successfully
negotiated “The Hedgehog Run*” across the road to the end of a most
pleasant day. *No hedgehogs or ramblers were injured in the completion of this walk |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Starting out - on the right track (or should it be the left one?)
'Is this my bed?'
Signs of recent rains - a stream in full spate . . .
and some rather wet fields
Our leader casting off
Crossing the River Leven
Taking in the view at Brow Edge
Naming the fells, as Dorothy takes off through the bracken . . .
which would be waist high in Summer . . .
making our walking more difficult
Unnamed Tarn (A) above Black Beck and . . .
unnamed Tarn (B)
Bigland Tarn basks in the sunshine . . .
but no time to linger . . .
as we pass the rear of Bigland Hall
Descending to the River Leven . . .
we wonder how many we can fit on the bridge
It's dry alongside the River Leven, but Sheila's trousers tell a different tale!
The tidal part of the River Leven . . .
and the estuary in the late afternoon sun