Day 3 continuing a circuit of some of Lakeland's central fells & valleys 

Ambleside to Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale

via Loughrigg fell & Lingmoor fell

9.5miles 3150ft

Setting off at first light up Loughrigg fell from Ambleside 

Windermere as I gained height.... 

....and Ambleside with.... 

....an opportunity to sit down by Lily tarn....

.....continuing on the path towards Elterwater

A first sight (of many) of the Langdale pikes....

.....here they are again as I passed Loughrigg tarn....

.....as a rainbow appeared

Approaching Elterwater village....

.....with those pikes again!!

Elterwater village centre with the Britannia inn

Little Langdale tarn as I made progress up Lingmoor fell

Lingmoor fell summit today's highest point 1539ft. Lingmoor fell has several summits which account for today's 3000ft plus total climb

Looking down on Chapel Stile village in Langdale as I  continued along the ridge....

.....Lingmoor tarn, 

.....and Blea tarn in Little Langdale

At the northern end of the ridge is Side pike which requires a rucksack removal to pass through this gap known as 'The Squeeze'

Finally the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel comes into view from the descent.

The recent poor forecasts and continuing wet weather didn't augur well for this week's walk. However as it turned out I'd very little rain and some quite attractive atmospheric conditions. The Langdale valley has a fantastic variety of terrain and views which always provide a great day's walking.

 Day 2 continuing a circuit of some of Lakeland's central fells & valleys

Wythburn (Thirlmere) to Ambleside, 14miles 2150ft

Setting off from Ambleside on the bus to Wythburn

I left the bus here at Wythburn on the north side of Dunmail Raise with Steel fell ahead

Passing through Steel End farm....

....to climb the north ridge of Steel fell with Thirlmere reservoir behind

Thirlmere again....

....and again

Looking across the valley I had a great view of Birkside Gill descending from Helvellyn....

....before arriving at Steel fell summit 1814ft sadly now in cloud with no views....

....until I started my descent towards Grasmere....

.....down the south ridge

Looking back to the South ridge....

....and across the valley to Greenhead Gill

Zooming in on the upper falls

With rain now falling I had my lunch (with permission) inside St Oswald's church Grasmere where.... 

....William Wordsworth is buried

The renowned Grasmere Gingerbread shop!

After lunch I continued south along the side of Grasmere.... 

....looking back to Dunmail Raise (R) Helm Crag (L) with Steel fell still in cloud behind

Leaving Grasmere to follow....

....the river Rothay....

.....to Rydal water....

....and then continuing by the river until Ambleside came into view across the fields....

....and where I crossed the river Rothay.....

....into Rothay park and back to my car.

Today I briefly experienced on Steel fell summit the contrast to last week's winter walking on Helvellyn. The cloud was down with a strong bitter wind with hailstone and sleet. Never-the-less this was still a very enjoyable walk given the variety of terrain and scenery