| Walk: | Hawell Monument, Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw, Bakestall, Skiddaw House, Cumbria Way, Whit Beck | ||
| Start Point: | Gale Road | Grid Reference: | NY 280 254 |
| Distance: | 11.5 miles | Ascent: | 3,100 feet |
| Time: | 6 hours | ||
| Weather: | After an early short shower the weather stayed dry to give almost ideal walking conditions. | ||
| Comments: | Nine walkers left the car park to follow the well-worn track to Skiddaw. After about two kilometres the party split into two, three members carrying on to Skiddaw whilst the main group followed the wall to Flag Pots before turning east to ascend Lonscale Fell. Retracing our route to Flag Pots we then follow the fence to Skiddaw Little Man before continuing on to Skiddaw where we rejoined the other three members. United once more we headed north for Bakestall to “bag” the fourth and last Wainwright of the day. Leaving Bakestall we descended Birkett Edge to join the Cumbria Way which we followed back to the start. A wonderful day for views in all directions, especially from Skiddaw Little Man where Snaefell on the Isle of Man was very clear. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
In memory of two Skiddaw shepherds, Edward and Joseph Hawell, who were noted breeders of prize Herdwick sheep
Follow the grey brick road . . .
until a pause at the gate gives us a chance to check out the scenery, including Latrigg on the right
A small contingent takes the direct route, and can just see the rest of the group (the tiny black blobs by the wall) making a detour to Lonscale Fell
A short pause at the cairn . . .
before continuing on to the top of the crags, from where we can see Great Calva to the north . . .
and Thirlmere to the south. Along the line from Great Calva to Windermere runs a geological fault that takes in Windermere, Rydal Water, Grasmere and Thirlmere, through the Vale of St John's and the Glenderaterra Valley to the cone of Great Calva.
Skiddaw in the centre and Little Man to the left, from Flag Pots
Little Man appears above a rather untidy cairn . . .
and four of the group make good time along the maintained path
More 'iron work' decorates the Little Man cairn . . .
from where there are good views of Keswick and Derwent Water with its surrounding fells
Longside Edge parallels Bassenthwaite beneath a brooding sky
Mandy and Phil take a break at the tri point . . .
and the rest of the group gathers for a photo call at the topograph
Heading down the scree slope . . .
a very different picture to when we were here 2 years ago . . .
but there is still a little snow around
Heading down to Bakestall . . .
one of the few Wainwrights that you walk down to
Eric checks out the view of Bassenthwaite . . .
while the ladies are caught in conversation
Making our way to Skiddaw House . . .
as some of the group watch the roofers making simple work of the incline
Heading down the Glenderaterra Valley, Lonscale Crags tower above the path . . .
which winds is way south
As the route turns to the west Latrigg, and the cars, come into view - but there is still a fair way to go