Ullswater : A circuit of Beda Fell & Angle Tarn Pikes  from Martindale, returning along the Ullswater Way - 10.5 miles 2950ft

Parking up by the side of Howegrain beck in Martindale

A bench with a view of Ullswater soon after the start  of the climb up Beda fell, but bit too soon to sit down yet 

A little higher and more of Ullswater can be seen 

Looking back down the route of the walk so far, Hallin fell beyond the end of the ridge 

Arriving at the cosy little wind shelter on Beda fell summit 1670ft

Some of the views from the summit.... Fairfield and St Sunday Crag with Boredale Hause in the foreground.....

.....High Street on the horizon with The Nab and Rest Dodd in foreground.....

....The flat summit of Helvellyn with Striding & Swirral Edges leading to its summit.

A mile and half and some futher climbing and I arrive at the summit cairn on Angle Tarn Pikes.  

Zooming in on the tarn of the same name

The descent to Ullswater follows the Coast to Coast path with views down to Brotherswater and Kirkstone Pass.....

.....and the village of Patterdale.....

.....Zooming in on Ullswater with Glenridding village

.....still following the Coast to Coast path.... 

.....until joining the Ullswater Way at lunch time looking across the lake to Glenridding

One of the lake steamers at Glenridding landings on the far side of the lake 

Continuing on the Ullswater  Way for the walk back to Martindale

Glencoyne across the lake with Stybarrow Dodd at its head

My path continued along the lake before turning in to return to Martindale at Sandwick Bay. 

Some tough climbing today but a great walk on a lovely day

A circuit in Wharfedale: The Dales Way, Simon's Seat, Lord's Seat, & the Valley of Desolation - 11.5miles 1600ft  

My route this week would start and finish with  walking sections of the Dales Way long distance path. 

After parking by the river at Barden bridge I headed north up Wharfedale

The early morning mist was just rising out of the dale

On reaching Skyreholme I started the fairly short climb through the heatherclad hillside to Simon's Seat  

Looking back down what was now an excellent path to the summit 

The summit trig point on top of the rocky outcrop of Simon's Seat - 1591ft.

Time for a coffee and flapjack sat on the rocks

I was being keenly watched by a Red Grouse!

Looking back after the short walk across summit to Lord's Seat. 

Lord's Seat provides a great view east to RAF Menwith Hill which provides communications and intellingence support services to the United Kingdom and United States.

While then descending to the Valley of Desolation I noticed I was being closely watched by a pair of Red Kites. When mature their wingspan is 5ft and they were certainly an amazing sight circling above me.  

Crossing the bridge into the Valley of Desolation!

......with it's dramatic waterfall

The valley leads back down to the river Wharfe close to Bolton Abbey with the Cavendish Pavillion's cafe and other facilities.....

It's accessed on the other side of the river by this footbridge

It's then a lovely walk following the river upstream through Strid Woods....

.....to The Strid.

The Strid is a 'pinch point' that forces the whole river into a very narrow gap 

Care is needed on the rocky edges which can get very slippy 

Finally a mile or so further upstream is Barden bridge the starting point of today's walk 

A Return to the Dales: 

A circuit  of Great Shunner fell from Appersett taking in Mossdale, Cotterdale & part of the Pennine Way:

13miles 2200ft

Leaving the car in Appersett my path followed the route of the disused railway from Hawes to Garsdale Head. This is part of the Mossdale Head viaduct over Mossdale Gill

Mossdale beck after yesterday's heavy rain

Climbing out of Mossdale over High Rigg with a view towards Garsdale Head 

Baugh fell behind Garsdale Head....

....and again

A patchwork of dry stone walls across the dale

Descending High Rigg into Cotterdale

The tiny hamlet of Cotterdale at the head of the dale 

Climbing out of the dale the path continued through several thick plantations 

Looking down on the plantations  from the long climb to Great Shunner fell summit 

Arriving at the summit (2349ft) I met Bob from Boston Massachusetts. He had come to England to walk the Pennine Way which crosses the summit of the fell. Good luck with the rest of your walk Bob  

From the summit you get some idea of the vast extent of the Pennines. Here looking north to Birkdale tarn....  

....and east to Rogan's Seat....

....and my route south now following the Pennine Way

I don't think I'd like to try cycling up here!

Zooming in on the unmistakeable flat summit of Ingleborough

Finally arriving back at the car in the village of Appersett