Walking in the Lake Disctrict

[spikeyhead]

I'm planning on taking a trip with the Wench to the Lake district soon, have narrowed it down to two hotels, one south of Keswick near Derwent Water and the other on Ullswater. I'm familiar enough with the walking in the vicinity of Derwent Water and Keswick but have never done much around Ullswater.

Anyone have any good insights or suggestions to walk near Ullswater without having a long drive beforehand?

[Oily Nails]

Having lived in the Lake District area my entire Life let me pas along this sage wisdom.....


...Don't go out in woolie jumpers on dark nights

[Pigeon]

Up Helvellyn the back way is the first thing that springs to mind.

[Jazoli]

spikeyhead said:

Anyone have any good insights or suggestions to walk near Ullswater without having a long drive beforehand?

As someone else who has lived in the Lakes all my life, may I suggest you don't go for a walk on any of the roads and stick to the footpaths/hills and valleys

Silly season has begun round here, I am constantly amazed by the chances people take walking on very busy 'b' and 'c' roads, complete with double buggy and small children, its madness ffs

I'm sure you don't do this though

Edited by Jazoli on Tuesday 13th April 20:39

[Oily Nails]

Pigeon said:

Up the back way is the first thing that springs to mind.

Typical PH!

[Roman]

Aira force, Caiston beck and the Chapel at St John in the Vale are all worth taking in.

[timbob]

Walking up Cat Bells is a family tradition of mine.

We also used to do a walk from Rosthwaite over the top to Watendlath, tea and chaffinches at the tea room there, then North up the river following the little road, and all the way back around again.

[plg]

Ullswater is very nice. Quiet and good walks in every direction.

[ewenm]

plg said:

Ullswater is very nice. Quiet and good walks in every direction.

Exactly. Loads of good walks around Ullswater. The obvious ones are based around the Helvellyn ridge or taking the boat from Glenridding (can't remember where to, but it has a vaguely amusing name I think) and walking back along the south shore of the lake. More adventurous but recommended is the classic Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Swirral Edge horseshoe, or the various scrambles on St Sunday Crag.

Get hold of the relevant OS 1:25000 scale map(s) and just explore.

[ali_kat]

Drop a line to Headonistah

[Wacky Racer]

If staying near Ullswater the obvious trek is Helvellyn, from Glenridding, via Striding edge and Castycam...(on the way down)..allow three hours up, two down.

Otherwise Blencathra, (otherwise known as Saddleback), or Skiddaw, at Keswick, (reached via Troutbeck Head in the car) an easy two hours up the tourist path, with fabulous views of Derwent Water......

If it's misty on top, give all a miss, especially Helvellyn, lives have been lost on Striding Edge........

In bad weather, a walk around Ullswater is nice.....

(all imho)