Thelkeld Knotts, Clough Head & Calfhow Pike from the Vale of St John. Return via the the Old Coach Road

8.5miles 2500ft

High Rigg in the Vale of St John as I set off for Threlkeld Knotts

I passed above Spion Kop quarry.....

....with views also across the vale

My original plan was to climb Clough Head via the Fisher Wife Rake path, however when I saw the steepness of the route seen here in the centre top I change my plans and headed for Threlkeld Knotts instead!!

Arriving at Threlkeld Knotts summit cairn just as the sun came over Clough Head

Looking north as I continued over the Knotts

Looking down on Wanthwaite where I had parked the car

Looking down into the Vale of St John from the ridge to Clough Head

Arriving at Clough Head summit cairn & shelter 2328ft

Blencathra from the summit

Looking down to Thirlmere as I continued to Calf How Pike

Looking back to Clough Head from Calf How Pike....

....and looking west to the Newland & Coledale fells on the horizon....

....and down to Thirlmere again

The southern horizon....

....before stopping for lunch as I descended to....

....the Old Coach Road where the hounds which I seen several times on the descent were following the quadbike back  to their kennels

The Old Coach Road afforded good views to Blencathra....

....and the Skiddaw fells ahead

Zooming in on Skiddaw again before....

....the last few hundred yards of the road back to the car

Another great day's walking in the wonderful Lakeland fells. It had not been quite the route of my original plan but non the worse for that.