A circuit from Hartsop (Patterdale)

Including Kirkstone pass, St Ravens's edge, John Bell's Banner & Caudale moor, descending via Hartsop Dodd. 

9.5miles 2250ft

Setting off from the hamlet of Hartsop at the southern end of the Patterdale valley

Crossing Caiston beck to the west side of Brotherswater

Looking south up Brotherswater, is this the smallest lake or the largest tarn....?

....and again

Approaching the back of Hartsop hall. It's reknowned for having an usual design of a priest's hiding hole. Also not so far away from here, high on Dove crag is a small cave known as Priest's Hole!

....now at the front of the hall

 

Leaving Brotherswater behind I continued up the valley passing the 'Kirkstone' after which the pass is named.

Arriving at the Kirkstone Inn, the highest in Cumbria and 2nd highest in England at 1489ft. (The highest in England being the Tan Hill Inn 1732ft on the Coast to Coast path in North Yorkshire)

Climbing above the inn to St Raven's edge 1946ft with a view to lake Windermere....

....and  down to Troutbeck valley

I continued across John Bell's Banner looking across the Western Kentmere fells...

....and ahead to Stony Cove pike & Caudale Moor....

....with a hazy view to Morecambe bay....

....and southern end of  lake Windermere before....

....arriving at the summit cairn of Caudale Moor 2503ft today's highest point

I then began the steep descent down Hartsop Dodd...

....looking west to the ridges leading up to Fairfield

I stopped for lunch with a great view down to Brotherswater and the Patterdale valley...

....with the campsite....

....and Brotherswater inn directly below

The final part of my route was along the east side of Brotherswater....

....and again...

....finishing back in the hamlet of Hartsop

A great day out on the fells in not the best of fell walking weather but with only one short rain shower whilst climbing to Kirkstone pass, so no complaints given the forecast!