Lake District 31st July 2011

Lake District 31st July 2011
Angle Tarn & Hayeswater (The Knott)
(Pathfinder Guide Eastern Lakeland Walk#21) 10.4 Miles

 

We set off from the Patterdale hotel after breakfast at our digs near Carlisle  so arrived at the Patterdale hotel around 10:30.  We were booked for 2 nights at the hotel (Sunday/Monday).

The day was warm but cloudy and looked like it could rain.

The route in the guidebook suggested starting at Cow Bridge car park a few miles up the road from the hotel. Having wanted to check in for our evening meal time we remained parked at the hotel, and we knew the route up to Boredale Hause as we had trod this a couple of times previously.

Following the road through the village, past the pub,  and left at the bridge over the beck, we continued along the lane, taking a left at the end, and then right to zig-zag back up the steeply ascending track to Boredale Hause.

Once at the top of Boredale Hause we rested a while, having taken around 40 mins or so to complete the ascent up this interchange of paths and tracks.

Above can be seen the track up to Place Fell that we had ascended on a previous trip. Today we were heading in the opposite direction for Angle Tarn/Pike.

The path we followed to the right is a part of the Northern section of the Coast to Coast path and is well trodden despite its twists and turns. After a mile or so, the view opened up down to Brotherswater as well as Angle Tarn Pikes.

We decided here to ascend one of the Angle Tarn Pikes (Wainwright) , via a steeply ascending grassy slope (with footholes). this then joined a narrow path, and a short scramble over rocks took us to the summit at 1857ft.

Once safely down the other side, we rejoined the path and before long could see Angle Tarn itself in the distance. Angle Tarn has been described as the prettiest Tarn in Lakeland, and whilst we have not in our exeprience seen that many tarns, we had to agree it is the best we have seen. Though today it was a little dull and windy.

Having stopped for lunch here, we then pressed on past the tarn and along the path you  can see in the picture above.

The route became a little boggier at Prison and Sulphury Gills, but not too bad, and a great grass flanked hollow ahead revealed Hayeswater surrounded by a ring of fells - Magnificent!!

The path from here begins a slow but fairly steep and rocky ascent towards The Knott and High Street. (Though today we would only visit the Knott and turn back).

After around 30 mins we diverted right off the path and a steep but short ascent to the summit cairn of The Knott (2423ft - Wainwright). The view was limited by the surrounding fells, though you could see down to Hayeswater from one edge. We touched the cairn and headed down as it was very windy.

Heading back down the way we came, you can see the path we ascended then descended in the pictures below.

Diverting left from our original route, we descended very steeply down to Hayeswater itself and then after a short break followed a lower path along Hayeswater Gill and the valley for about 2 miles to Hartsop village.

Once through the small hamlet of Hartsop we arrived at Cow Bridge car park and the main road to Patterdale (what would have been the original start point in the guide book).

Going through the car park entrance there is a sign in the corner indicating a National Trust path back to Patterdale via woodland. We followed this for about a mile and came back out on the main road following an adjacent path for about 1/3 of a mile to Deepdale Bridge.

Here the path ended, so consulting the map we decided to follow the path across the road to Boredale Hause, but rather than ascending all the way up to the Hause we followed the low level path back to Patterdale avoiding a lengthy ascent and descent of Boredale Hause.

We arrived back at the Patterdale hotel around 17:00, having taklen abour 6.5 hours and just over 10 miles. A great day in the heart of the fells, and it didn`t rain after all.

Our Walk Score: 7.5/10

Lake District 30th July 2011

Lake District 30th July 2011

Aira Force & Gowbarrow Park
(Pathfinder Guide Eastern Lakeland, Walk #7, 4.5 Miles)

We arrived at Aira Force National Trust Car park just before 12:30, having driven staight there from home. Parking was around £5 for 4 hours.

The walk begins by following the crowds along the National Trust path to Aira Force waterfall. This path slowly ascends through woodland, and there are many paths off in different directions to explore the streams and waterfalls. Aira force is the lower waterfall and High Force the higher one.

From the top fall, we followed the path through a wall gap signed for Dockray and Ulcat row.

This led out onto bracken and heathland, and just before a wall stilel we took a right turn to begin the ascent via a stony track up to Gowbarrow Fell.

The day was very warm and humid, and it was a slow ascent up this small Wainwright fell (1579ft). Eventually the summit cairn came into view and we rested for a while with sandwiches and snacks/drinks.

The view was pleasant, but did not reveal much of Ullswater.

We continued on down the other side following the track to the right and passed by the ruins of a shooting lodge. The path then revealed stunning views across Ullswater, as it hugs the side of the fell with open views (and drops!) in the other direction. This fantastic path continues in a similar manner for about a mile and a half, enjoy and savour on such a nice day.

The Stunning path showing fantastic views down to the head of Ullswater.

Before long we found ourselves back to the perimiter of the National Trust Aira Force grounds, and a short descent via stone steps and a bridge back to the car park around 16:00.

Summary: A short walk, which would be a good starting point ofr anyone interested in climbing their first fell. For anyone that has not visited Aira Force before, there is added interest with the falls, a Wainwright fell, and a fantastic path overlooking Ullswater.

Our Walk Score: 8/10 

From Aira Force we drove to Carlisle and our accomodation for the night.

Lynebank House Hotel

Located a few miles from the M6 just north of Carlisle, and about half an hour drive form the North of the Lake District Park. We booked via laterooms as it was cheap at £55 for the room incl breakfast.
We were pleasantly surprised.
Whilst the downstairs facilities such as the lounge, bar area and restaurant could do with a revamp, the room and warm welcome/service more than made up for these small points. As you can see the room was large and spacious, and depspite the location next to a busy main road the traffic noise was not too instrusive. We chose to dine there in the evening, and the restaurant may be in need of a makeover, the food was superb and very reasonably priced.
The breakfast in the morning was taken in the conservatory, and was more than adequate.
We left feeling happy with both the price we had paid and the very warm welcome and service received.
Recommended, but bear in mind the points regarding the bar (limited choice of draught beers - 1 lager, 1 bitter), and the look of the restaurant does not tie in with the very high quality of the food served.