343 October walks from Grasmere

Our next walking will be from a charming village right in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, and was once the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth. Famous for Gingerbread and William Wordsworth, it has been a regular venue for the club because of its wonderful views, variety of walks shops and refreshment venues. It is

Grasmere

and will take place on

Saturday 12th October 2013

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park in the village

Helm Crag in Autumn

The village is on the river Rothay which flows into the lake Grasmere about 0.5 km to the south. The village is overlooked from the NW by the rocky hill of Helm Crag, popularly known as The Lion and the Lamb or the Old Lady at the Piano. These names are derived from the shape of rock formations on its summit, depending on which side you view it from.[2]

A number of popular walks begin near the centre of the village, including the ascent of Helm Crag and a longer route up to Fairfield. The village is also on the route of Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk.[3]

Grasmere Village

The A591 connects Grasmere to the Vale of Keswick over Dunmail Raise to the north, and Ambleside to the south. In other directions, Grasmere is surrounded by high ground. To the west, a long ridge comes down from High Raise and contains the lesser heights of Blea Rigg and Silver How. To the east, Grasmere is bordered by the western ridge of the Fairfield horseshoe.

There will be three walks:

• A Walk led by: Peter Hitchcock
• B Walk led by:Shirley and Joan
• C Walk led by: Heather Sissons

For more details about Grasmere click here

5 day Weather Forecast for Grasmere here.

A Walk Grasmere 2013

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Distance: 9 miles
Total Ascent/descent: 2300ft

click to enlarge

elevation profile

If the weather is good, this walk will present the very best the area has to offer: beautiful views of Grasmere and Windemere—from a height—the archetypal valley view of Langdale Fell plus several tarns and waterfalls.

We leave Grasmere to the west for a reasonably easy but steady climb up along the flank of Silver How which eventually offers great views of both Grasmere and Windemere lakes.  We then strike north on a gradual climb to the Lang and Castle Hows via Raw Pike.  This section is easy going but could be quite bleak yet at one point there is an outstanding vantage point of the whole length of Langdale Fell towards Scafell Pike.  The path along Blea Rigg is a little ill-defined in places but, time permitting as we need to uphold a good pace, we shall divert westwards down to Stickle Tarn for lunch [halfway]. 

Retracing steps to Blea Rigg, possibly via a roughish climb, we then join a main artery down past Belles Knot, the beautiful Easedale tarn and the spectacular Sour Milk Gill waterfall.  If wet on this stony path, sticks will be invaluable.  The final section into Grasmere is easy-going and very scenic.

The 9-ish mile walk profile lives up to the ‘A’ standard and if a good pace is maintained there will be time to admire the outstanding scenery as well as enjoy the taste of a relaxing drink at the end.

An elevation profile from a min of 67m to 581m will provide you with a good leg-stretch!!!

B Walk Grasmere 2013

Walk Leader: Shirley & Joan
Total Distance: 7+ miles
Total ascent/Descent: 1350ft

Route anticlockwise, click to enlarge

Elevation Profile

A  beautiful walk to Alcock Tarn and then round Lake Grasmere.  Starting from the car and coach park in Grasmere we will walk up the minor road past Dove Cottage and then follow a well defined path to Alcock Tarn – unfortunately from Dove Cottage to the Tarn it is uphill all the way, so a steady climb for the first hour, but taken at your own pace, and with many stops along the way to admire the wonderful view down to Lake Grasmere which is the reason for the climb because, unfortunately, the view of the Tarn itself is not inspiring! 

Lake Grasmere

Alcock Tarn

  After climbing up of course we have to walk down, again at your own pace, and this time soaking up the sights of Grasmere valley.  Once back in Grasmere we will continue with a very picturesque walk round Lake Grasmere firstly on the road, then by the lakeshore. 

 From the head of the lake we continue to White Moss Common and then an undulating minor road back into Grasmere.

C Walk Grasmere 2013

Walk Leader: Heather Sissons
Total distance: 5.5 miles
Total Ascent/descent: 730 ft

click to enlarge

 This is a low level fell walk around Grasmere and Rydale Water. we start with coffee at the garden centre opposite to the church, then we take the path along Grasmere and the lower path by rydale Water.

After crossing the road we walk up to Rydale Mount but take a short detour through Rydal Hall grounds
The 'Coffin Trail' leads us back to Grasmere, passing Dove Cottage on the way.