H T Fell Walking Club: March 2012

Thursday, 22 March 2012

April Walks [327] from Hawkshead

Our second walk of the season will be from

Hawkshead

and will be on

Saturday 14th April 2012

Hawkshead....the prettiest village in the lake district

The prettiest village set in the magnificent vale of Estwaite, In the heart of the English Lake District, Hawkshead is a truly historic and wonderfully picturesque village characterised by its cluster of whitewashed houses, archways and alleways, courtyards and squares. A prosperous mediaeval wool town, its rich history includes important connections with the poet William Wordsworth and children's story author Beatrix Potter.

Hawkshead has flourished since its beginnings as a medieval market town. Today, with its car-free village centre, it's the perfect place for the visitor to experience the 'real' Lake District. The cobbled streets, squares and courtyards and the beautiful whitewashed cottages, topped with local Lakeland slate, give this little place a magical feel.

The village is steeped in history and heritage, from the ruins of Hawkshead Hall (built by medieval monks) and the 15th-century St Michael's parish church and court house, to later buildings such as the grammar school (1855) which the poet William Wordsworth attended. There is also a Beatrix Potter gallery – Hawkshead is only 3.2 km from Hill Top at Near Sawrey where the author wrote many of her books. Keen shoppers will find a range of goods for sale, from souvenirs to climbing and walking paraphernalia.

The surrounding scenery is some of the finest in the Lake District with Grizedale Forest to the south, Lake Windermere to the east and Lake Coniston to the west, as well as the fine moorland encircling much of the area around Hawkshead.

There will be three walks as usual;

A Walk led by:- Jenny Matthias
B Walk led by:- Beverley Kelly
C Walk led by:- Norman Jones

Weather forecast for the day

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

A Walk at Hawkshead 2012

Walk Leader: Jenny Matthias

Total Distance: 10 miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 2020/1930 ft

This A walk has WOW factor. You will see lakes , mountains, woods and rivers. It is so great it took us two days to recce!!

approx route only

Although it is not a high walk there are a lot of ups and downs! We start walking up a grassy bank from Pull Wyke through Skelwith fold to Skelwith Bridge where we join the Cumbrian Way toward Low Colwith. There are several stiles on this section of the path. A little road walking brings us to Black Fell which we cross and climb to its highest point Black Crag 1056ft.

Wainwright says it is the best viewpoint in the area with an all round vista (weather permitting!) There is a marked path to the top and column.

We then make a descent following a track which is uneven and care must be taken to rejoin the Cumbrian Way north of Tarn Hows.

Across the road in the valley we follow the path to and around Yew Tree Tarn before climbing up the glen passed the waterfalls up to Tarn Hows.

Our descent to Hawkeshead will be through woods (devastated by felling and high winds) and meadows.

B Walk at Hawkshead 2012

Walk Leader: Beverley Kelly

Total Distance: 8+ miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 1050ft

click to enlarge map

This walk has become a favourite for me combining lakeside walks, wonderful vistas, natural beauty and the thrill of reaching the top with not too much effort. The reccie was on a warm spring day with clear skies and only a gentle breeze and I can only hope that it is like this on our walk as I have never done this walk in bad weather.

As we walk out of the car park we follow the road to the ferry across Windermere as it hugs the side of Esthwaite Water an unspoilt lake used by fishermen. This road is quiet except for every 10 minutes when the ferry comes in and we do need to take care untill it reaches Near Sawrey the home of Beatrix Potter, but the views across the lake and over to the Langdales is spectacular

At Near Sawrey, ( can you spot Mr McGregor?) we take a track leading up Moss Eccles Tarn, which was a favourite walk of Beatrix Potter and her husband, spending many evenings at the picturesque tarn. There is a path round the back of the tarn, but it does not go all the way round

We can make a diversion to Three Dubbs Tarn provided the ground is not too wet, to enjoy a tarn which has been made for fishing with it's own boathouse. We will have to backtrack to the main pathway and make our way to Wise Een Tarn. Just as we reach to top of the hill we get another breathtaking view of the Middle Fells with the tarn in front. This should be an ideal stop for lunch.

We now head for Latterbarrow going through the forest and across a cleared area, when we can see the tall cairn inviting us closer. A final climb, the steepest of the walk yet only short, to reach the summit at 800ft but with superb views for 360. The views from the eastern end overlook Windermere and are well worth a visit.

With Hawkshead in view, it is just a matter of carefull descending Latterbarrow and following tracks back home, but if the blueblls are out, we will make another diversion through a picturesque wood full of natural bluebells which will take your breath away.

The album taken on the walk

C Walk at Hawkshead 2012

Walk Leader: Norman Jones

Total Distance: 6 miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 620ft

A delightful walk with some lovely views

After refreshments it is on the road to Colthouse, then off road towards Crofts Head. Onto footpaths through Crag Wood, fields, another wood with a network of raised tree roots on the path and on to Outgate Village.

A nice pub to visit, but not on today's walk

If you take the bus you will miss the views

Briefly on the road through Outgate and onto a tracj through another wood. The track is a bit stony and becomes occasionally marshy. We have a continious view of Blelham Tarn on this section but it is as well to look front s we cross a small beck on 4 large stepping stones, there is no obvious alternative. It's onward to join a minor road near Wray Castle, then a bridle path down to the shore of Windermere.

Blelham Tarn from the pathway

From the shore it is uphill through a field, a 1 in 5 gradient for about 300 yards leading to a marshy area without any close alternative route. Then into High Wray village on the minor road which takes us back to Colthouse and Hawkshead.