Grasmere to Windermere

Grasmere to Windermere via Jenkyn Crag and Orrest Head 13miles 2350ft

Coniston village had no power or access this morning;  fallen trees and swollen rivers were the legacy of three storms in the last week.

After catching the bus from Windermere to Grasmere village I headed off down the side of the lake with the village now in the distance

Helm Crag and Dunmail Raise 

I then crossed over the River Rothay and followed it to Ambleside

Looking across Rydal Water to the cottages by the main road

Having now collected water from two lakes the river had become

swollen 

It was also very deep as the stepping stones on this path were under 3ft of water

I followed the river around Ambleside and was now looking down on

the open area of Hayes garden centre from the short climb to 

Jenkyn Crag

The view point at Jenkyn Crag

Lunch time looking down on the island in Trout Beck

The view over the Trout Beck Valley to the Bow Fell range while

climbing towards Orrest Head 

Zooming in on the snow topped distant fells

The same view but now a little clearer from Orrest Head view point

above Windermere

Looking into the sun reflecting in Lake Windermere 

Finally a look at the new seating area on Orrest Head 

Devoke Water to Ravenglass

Devoke Water to Ravenglass via Eskdale & Muncaster  11miles 2100ft 

Looking from Birker fell into Upper Eskdale on a cold, grey morning.

Arriving at Devoke Water with Harter Fell & Green Crag now free of cloud on the horizon 

Water Crag and Rough Crag which I'd just come over above 

Devoke Water 

Then the sun came out as I was near the summit of Rowantree How

Zooming in on my next objective Seat How 

above the fisherman's hut

After the climb over Seat How it was a lovely place for a morning

break before leaving Devoke Water

I then started the descent into Eskdale

Looking into Eskdale down Hare Gill

Muncaster Castle was to come later after climbing Muncaster Fell

Crossing the River Esk....

....then up through the woods to.... 

Muncaster Tarn for a late lunch

A public footpath goes through the Muncaster estate 

and passes the castle 

These are the historic remains of Roman Bathhouse 

outside Ravenglass, looks more like a 'mud bath' today 

Bowness on Solway on the west coast & Wallsend on the east coast

were, like Ravenglass, Roman ports and forts and very long way from Rome!  

Finally on Ravenglass seafront with a very wintery, watery sun

 

Semerwater and Wether Hill

Semerwater and Wether Hill - Wensleydale 13miles 2000ft

The last train to arrive at Hawes station. There are no tracks in front or behind and it is now part of the museum and cafe. 

Bainbridge village green where I have just got off the minibus,

which is the service bus from Hawes - I was the only passenger! 

Looking back to Bainbridge from the path to Semerwater 

Raydale with Semerwater just coming into view

Looking down Semerwater

Semerwater is also a nature reserve

The ruined church and graveyard at the hamlet of Stalling Busk

dates from 1772

A last view of Semerwater from the climb to Wether Hill

I followed a section of the Roman road from Ingleton to the 

Roman fort at Bainbridge, known as Cam High Road.

Wether Hill summit, which, at 2014ft just makes it into the

'Yorkshire Dales 30' ie. the summits in the Dales over 2000ft 

Looking down into Sleddale as I left the summit

On the way back to Hawes I passed the village of Burtersett

How to build a dry stone wall

Finally following Gayle Beck back into Hawes 

Into the Dales .........

Into the Dales for a change of scenery! A circular walk from Airton Bridge on the upper River Aire taking in Weets Top, Goredale Scar, Malham Tarn & Malham Cove - 14miles ....2150ft

Leaving the village at first light, I caught the sunrise 

from Calton Moor.

Half an hour later looking back down the moor

First stop at the trig point on Weets Top 1358ft 

Descending to Goredale Scar with typical Dales scenery and Fountains Fell on the horizon

Walking up the good path towards the scar

The scar gradually becomes narrower.... 

.... before the path ends abruptly at the water falls

I then followed a path up the east side of Malham Cove passing the top whilst heading for Malham tarn.... 

....Looking down into the cove as I went past

A couple of miles further took me to Malham Tarn for a second stop

Zooming in on the boat house across the water 

Following the Pennine Way, I returned to Malham Cove arriving at the limestone pavement above the cove.... 

 ....before descending to take a closer look from below

My rather late stopping place for lunch in Malham village  

I then followed the river Aire back to Airton Bridge passing through

Hanlith on the way

A grand day in the Dales on a somewhat breezy day but with much interest and

lovely sunshine.

I'll be back again soon!!