Saturday 12th July - Glenridding

A Walk Lead by John Gobin

10 miles,  3000ft

Helvellyn via

 Keppal

We leave the coach and head west along Greenside Road and pass the Travellers Rest on the right then start a steady climb along a gravel road following the Glenridding Beck. We pass by the Helvellyn YHA and outdoor pursuits centre where we start along a stony track still shadowing the Beck.

Once we hit the 2 mile point we turn NW and zig zag uphill we should see the summit from this point. We carry on with a more steady climb towards Whiteside (2832ft) and down the other side then up Lower Man (3035ft) then a gentle ascent to Helvellyn (3117ft) where wind/rain/crowds permitting we can have lunch.

The peaks are very exposed and if it’s windy it may get quite cold, so I recommend extra layers, Hat and Gloves.  

As you can see from the stats, it’s quite an ascent, so not for the faint hearted, however the views and sense of satisfaction should make up from a pair of achy legs on Sunday morning!

B Walk Lead by Andrew Phillips

6.5 miles,  1400ft

 Leaving the main car park in the village, the route initially follows the Ullswater Way alongside the lake. A short part of the route takes us along the road, with no pavement, so that great care will be needed. Leaving the Ullswater Way, we cross the road and join a footpath leading to Glencoyne, where we join a track heading to a cottage known as “Seldom Seen”. We then join a path leading up the side of the valley, following the shoulder of Sheffield Pike. This is a lengthy climb, and fairly strenuous, the path being rough in places. On reaching the watershed between Glencoyne and Glenridding, the route descends into the old mine workings, which should be a suitable lunch stop.

The route then follows a steep and rather loose stony path down to Glenridding Beck. Crossing the Beck, the path descends gradually to Gillside, and down into Glenridding. If time permits, we might consider a diversion to Lanty’s Tarn, which would involve some climbing, although not “recce’d”.

The starting altitude is 500ft, and the maximum altitude on the walk is 1,900ft, over a total distance of 6.5 miles, with the opportunity of good views over Ullswater and up to Helvellyn and the surrounding fells.

C Walk Lead by Mike & Helen

5-6 miles

The C walk starts in Glenridding at the Lake view cafe where we will enjoy our coffee. We then make our way through Patterdale where we have a very short section along the roadside. We progress into the countryside and some spectacular views. The terrain is rocky and uneven in parts but not particularly difficult. There are some short but not steep inclines along the way but a lot of flat ground.

At one point there is a fork in the path where we took the right side which leads down to the stream/river and a small bridge. After crossing a couple of fields with a path, we come to the main road. We cross here and go along the grass verge for a very short time before going up a few steps and over the only low stile into the woods. The woodland path is quite long and undulating with uneven ground which makes it feel a little arduous.

For this reason and depending on weather and what people want to do we may split at the fork with those that prefer taking the left-hand easier path up to the waterfall. This will mean this group returning the way they came but it is still a beautiful walk with fantastic scenery. The other group will meet us here for lunch at the waterfall. We will then all walk back together. The full route is about 6 miles, the shorter version nearer 5 miles. Again, a beautiful walk with gorgeous scenery and a very nice cafe by the Lake.

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