Weather:
Dry with sunny spells with a slight haze for most of the day
Distance
9.5 miles.
Started at:
Skelgill
We arrived slightly later than planned
due to a vintage car holding us up for most of the way between Ambleside and
Keswick. Consequently we found it difficult to get a car parking space, but
eventually we did. We set off taking the path from Skelgill up to Skelgill Bank,
which is at a better gradient than the path from Hawes End. Soon we were on
the ridge and heading for the summit. It was warm and sunny and it was nice
not to have to wear jackets/kagools etc. After a brief rest and taking in the
views from the summit we headed for Maiden Moor. After Hause Gate we stopped
and had haf an hour for lunch, something we haven't done for a while, and settled
down to enjoy the views way below us and across Derwentwater to Bleaberry Fell
It had been quiet busy but beyond
Maiden Moor there were few people. We made our way to High Spy which we had
to ourselves for a time them made our way down through Rigghead quarries and
on to Castle Crag. From there we went to Grange and had a well needed cup of
tea before heading off to the landing stage at Brandelhow Bay where we caught
the launch to Hawes End. Wearily, we walked the last mile back to the car.
Twenty minutes later we were in the
Swinside Inn quaffing a well earned mead or two.
A great walk with great views - brilliant!!
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The western
slope of Cat Bells from the start of the walk
Looking
across to Causey Pike
Derwentwater
and Blencathra beyond
The
path on to the main ridge of Cat Bells - the main summit is far left
On the section were a little
scrambling is required there is a plaque dedicated to Thomas Arthur Leonard.
We saw three plaques on today's walk.
This
is the view on reaching the main ridge - Cat Bells with Maiden Moor beyond
And
this view is looking back along the ridge. Skiddaw is in the distance
Paul
and Susan on the steep section to the summit
..and
here descending Cat Bells on the way to Maiden Moor
Looking
South and the path to Maiden Moor is clearly visible
This is the house on Brandelhow
Point way below our picnic spot near Hause Gate
Looking
back to Cat Bells
Looking
down the steep western slope of Maiden Moor
Susan
and Paul on Eel Crags with the ravine of Far Tongue Gill beyond then
Zooming
in on them
Susan
and Paul on High Spy summit
Descending
through Rigghead Quarries
The
descent route down Tongue Gill
The
view from Castle Crag
The
plaque to the left is on the summit of Castle Crag and the one on the
right is on the western descent path of the Crag
Looking
across to Grange Fell
The
crag on the western side of Castle Crag
Paul and I at the cafe in
Grange.
Castle
Crag from the path to Brandelhow landing stage
