30th April 2012 - Lake District (Latrigg)

30th April 2012 - Lakes - Latrigg (1207ft)
(Pathfinder North/West Lake District  Walk #7)
2hrs,45mins   6.2 miles

We had arrived in the Lakes on Sunday 29th April, but chose not to walk that day due to bad weather. However, things had brightened by the Monday, and so we left the Patterdale Hotel to travel to Keswick as we had decided to try Latrigg 1207ft (A short, low level Wainwright fell).

We found parking for free, near to the river, close to the Choice Keswick Country House Hotel. There is some roadside parking with no restrictions.

The walk initially follows the old Keswick railway trackbed, joining this, up some steps next to the time- share park entrance. Once up on this track it's easy to follow and a beautiful start to the walk, gradually leaving Keswick behind. The track is very wide and popular with cyclists, dog -walkers etc but this did not detract from enjoying the surroundings. There are many bridges across the river Greta and a board-walked section. Even passing under the concrete bridge of the A66 did not spoil it too much!

A Concrete "Picture Frame"

  

  

This path was followed for around two miles to an old railway building/information point. Here we went through a gate on the left onto a narrow back lane. The track started to climb fairly steeply, but it was a good, well used track, leading to other routes such as the higher fells of Skiddaw.

Just after a plantation we diverted left onto the grassy ridge running onto the top of Latrigg.

From there a short walk to the top, revealing views down into Keswick and Derwent Water.

There was even a bench at the end to sit a while and enjoy the views.

The way down, we followed the track down the other side, and a zig-zag track to meet the main path and the Gale Road car park. From there a long, clear, descending track took us down to Spooney Green Lane (nice name), and then back into Keswick.

 Above is the view back to Latrigg from where we came.

All in all a very pleasant, easy, walk with good views and is highly recommended as a short half-day walk.

Our Walk Score: 8/10

We walked into Keswick town and rewarded ourselves with a slice of apple pie in Bryson's tea rooms and a welcome drink.
Later in the week we returned to Bryson's for 'afternoon tea' and can definitely recommend it but be warned - it is substantial. The staff will box up any uneaten cakes for you to take home if you can't quite manage to polish it off!

(Apple Pie Score: 9/10)