A circuit of a selection of fells & valleys of central & northern Lakeland

Day 7 the last day. Pooley Bridge to Hartsop via Howtown, Hallin fell, & Boredale Hause

 12 miles, 2000ft  

Alighting from the bus in Pooley Bridge having take two trains and one bus ride to get there due to an Ullswater main road closure

I joined the Ullswater Way lower route following the path along the Lakeside towards Howtown

Passing through one of the campsites which were all busy due to half term holidays.

Looking across Ullswater to Gowbarrow fell from last weeks walk

The Howtown hotel as I passed through the village.....

....and started the climb up Hallin fell with the village behind me.

Looking up Martindale as I gained height....

....and again to the northern end of Ullswater 

Arriving at the summit, only 1273ft but affording some great views.....

.....including down to the west side of the lake....

.....and Martindale and Beda fell as I descended heading for Boredale.....

.....looking up the length of Boredale 

Zooming in on Boredale head my next climb....

.....but not until I had eaten my lunch and lightened my rucksack a bit sat here!

Replete with lunch consumed I continued the climb to Boredale Hause

Now arriving on the hause 1309ft and looking to the Helvellyn range on the horizon

Zooming in on the lower section of Striding edge with Helvellyn summit behind

Now descending towards Hartsop and looking down to Patterdale.....

....and Glenridding on the lakeside

Two of the lake ferries moored at Glenridding

Crossing Angletarn beck before.... 

.....arriving in the village of Hartsop

One of the cottages in this ancient village....

....and finally passing one of the few remaining 17th century cottages with its spinning gallery accessed by the steps

Sadly I'd now completed 7 days walking this circular route through some of the loveliest valleys and fells in the magnificent Lake District.  I'd completed 74 miles and climbed over 19,000 ft.

What shall I do next week????? 

 A circuit of a selection of fells & valleys of central & northern Lakeland

Day 6 Threlkeld to Pooley Bridge via the Old Coach Road, Gowbarrow fell, & the Ullswater Way

13.5miles, 2350ft 

Leaving the bus in Threlkeld just before first light

Looking back to Latrigg fell from last week's walk as I climbed to the Old Coach Road

Looking back down to Threlkeld with Blencathra behind

Leaving Lonscale Pike behind from last week's walk 

Doddick fell ridge leading down from the summit of Blencathra

Great Mell fell & Little Mell fell

Rainbow from Threlkeld Common

Now descending to Dockray

It was a day of rapidly changing weather as this mist started to fill the valleys

Passing through the village of Dockray.....

....before starting the climb to Gowbarrow fell

Ullswater came into view as I gained height

Nearing the summit I could see back to Blencathra

Looking back to Dockray village before....

....arriving at Gowbarrow summit 1578ft.....

....from where I could see the pointed Cat Stye Cam with Helvellyn in cloud behind

Looking over Ullswater to Martindale and the Eastern fells

The Ullswater Way passes above Watermillock church

Looking over Ullswater again to the Eastern fells before....

.....I descended to the lakeside near Pooley Bridge where.....

....the lake ferry was just leaving

Crossing the 'Pooley Bridge' over the river Eamont where it leaves the lake as I finally entered....

....the village centre

This had been yet another great day's walking. The changeable weather produced some interesting conditions for photography.

I now have just one day left to return to Hartsop village where I started this circuit of some central & northern fells.

  A circuit of a selection of fells & valleys of central & northern Lakeland

Day 5 Keswick to Threlkeld via Latrigg, Lonscale Pike & Burnt Horse Edge.

9miles, 2550ft

Crossing the River Greta as I left Keswick....

.....and the A66 bypass round Keswick

There were lots of these cobwebs as I climbed the woodland to Latrigg fell summit

Leaving the woods I found myself above the cloud inversion

Derwent water lies under the cloud and Castle Head hill on it's shoreline is poking through!

Looking to the Western fells on the far side of Derwentwater....

Zooming in on the same view

Leaving Latrigg I joined the main path up Skiddaw where it shares part of the route to Lonscale Pike

Looking back towards Keswick....

.....and again

Dodd fell on the side of Bassenthwaite lake under the cloud

Skiddaw in the sunlight...

Another layer of cloud was gathering around Skiddaw and the surrounding fells....

.....and the valley to the east 

Stopping for a break on the climb to Lonscale Pike  before I was soon engulfed in cloud myself....

.....until I emerged on to the summit 2306 with a view to Blencathra to the east....

.....and the back 'o' Skiddaw fells to the north

....and Burnt Horse edge below me where I was heading next

High Rigg in the Vale of St John from Burnt Horse edge with Glendelaterra valley down to the left

I descended into the valley emerging to the south with Cat Bells and the Newland fells of last week's walk behind

It was a pleasant finish down the track to Threlkeld....

....where I had left my car earlier in the morning.

Cloud inversions are not all that unusal in Lakeland.  When they do occur it adds an enjoyable new look to the landscape which was certainly the case today. 

Today's walk, day 5, whilst relatively short was fabulous outing in the fells leaving just 2 longer day's before I arrive back in Hartsop