Rydal to Patterdale via Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Greenhow End & Deepdale

10miles 3000ft 

 

Climbing out of Rydal to Heron Pike

Rydal Water from Nab Scar

The ridge from Nab Scar to Heron Pike, Fairfield on the horizon

Looking down to Grasmere & Helm Crag

Looking back down the ridge from Rydal fell. I met Bob from Edinburgh here who was finishing the Wainwrights today with this walk. He has already completed all the Monroes. Well done Bob!

Good luck with the Dales 30

.....and ahead to Fairfield from Great Rigg

Fairfield summit shelter with Helvellyn on the horizon

Traversing the northern edge of Fairfield looking into Cawk Cove with Greenhow End above

A short diversion to view Cofa Pike & St Sunday 

Cofa pike & Deepdale Hause with the Helvellyn fells on the horizon

Looking back up Deepdale to Greenhow End....

....and ahead with Angle tarn pikes on the horizon

Crossing Arnison beck

Finally approaching Patterdale

A great walk with some amazing mountain & crag scenery, which having to use just my phone for photos, after dropping and ruining my camera on my last walk do not do justice to the views!

 Day 5 the final day of my walk from Bowness on Windermere to Bowness on Solway. 13miles 300ft

After leaving Abbeytown there was nothing of great interest for photos until I arrived here Kirkbride where I rested with a coffee & biscuits....

....before entering one of the South Solway nature reserves

Actually the reserve was a little disappointing but at least afforded some great paths for easy walking

At the highest point but only about 150ft there was this view finder naming the Galloway fells to the north. 

On leaving the reserve I joined the Hadrian's Wall path which crossed from coast to coast, Bowness to Wallsend on Tyneside

Very tempting but I still had my lunch to eat!

My first view of the Solway firth

The path follows the coast the rest of the way into  Bowness

Along the way is a shelter with information about the Hadrian's Wall path 84miles.....

....and again....

....it made a lovely finish to my own walk

....as I climbed away from the coast....

....into Bowness village with St Michael's church

I then just had a little while finishing with a late a lunch sat looking over the Solway where the tide had now gone out.

Today's walk was 13miles and 300ft which together made the total route 69miles & 6650ft ascent.

It had certainly been a great 5 days of 5 weeks walking with an amazing and variety of terrain & interest!

What shall I do next, any suggestions welcome!!!

 Day 4 of my walk Bowness on Windermere to Bowness on Solway

Bothel to Abbeytown 12miles 500ft

Leaving Bothel down one of the many 'Green Lanes' in this part of Cumbria....

....it's a very different landscape from the Lake District

Blennerhassett village green, one of the many little villages on today's walk....

....followed by this unusual styled house and original design of scarecrow in Langrigg village....

....after which my route took me across Bellwater Moss. This covers over a hundred acres of 'common land'

....crossing the 'Moss' to the sound of Curlews, Lapwings and other birds & a proliferation of insect life

....soon after I crossed the West Cumbria coastal railway line as it turns inland for Wigton & Carlisle

Lancashire's not the only place to have converted windmills

Looking south the heavy cloud lifted briefly revealing the northern lakeland fells....

Arriving in Abbeytown at the Wheatsheaf Inn....

....and St Mary's church, one of the few remaining Cistercian abbey churches still used as place of worship....

....with a bench behind to admire the view whilst finishing the coffee and what's left of my lunch!

A very enjoyable day's walking in some lovely countryside with very little climbing. 

Just one day's walking left now before I arrive in Bowness on Solway!

 Day 3 Bowness on Windermere to Bowness on Solway

Keswick to Bothel 14.5m 1150ft

Leaving Keswick along the disused railway line to Cockermouth

Passing the roundabout on the A66 with a view to the Skiddaw fells before.... 

....heading north on the path along the river Derwent

The Skiddaw fells again

Arriving at the Mirehouse estate....

....with a quick look into the private part of the gardens

Next comes St Bega's church on the side of Bassenthwaite lake

....and again

Barf, Lord's Seat & Broom fells across the lake

Bassenthwaite again

Leaving the lakeside I contuniued to Castle Inn....

....where after leaving Skiddaw and Ullock pike behind the fells start to thin out....

.....Leaving Binsey here all on its own

Continuing on good paths and gently undulating ground I passed through Irton Hall....

....and soon found I had just 3.5 miles to go

I knew I was getting close when Bothel wind farm was a couple of  fields away....

....and I arrived back at my car here....

.... in Bothel

I've now sadly left the Lake District National Park behind. Two days to go now until I arrive at my destination on the Solway Firth. 

Looking forward to exploring some new walking territory on these next two days!