Sun 25 Jan - Long Meg and her daughters

A fairly flat walk in the Eden valley, with lots of interesting sights including sandstone caves, lost villages and one of the largest stone circles in Britain. The circle, named 'Long Meg and her daughters', dates from the early Bronze age and it is surrounded by many myths and legends.

The walk begins alongside the River Eden and continues through fields before joining a country lane, which rises steadily uphill to Glassonby. Soon after, the route takes us onto a track and through the churchyard of St Michael's, the medieval church of the lost village of Addingham. Continuing through fields we eventually reach the stone circle, where we can pause to explore the stones and their megalithic artwork.
Following the track takes us into Little Salkeld and then alongside the Settle-Carlisle railway line, before descending into woodland and back towards the riverside path. After a mile or so, we reach the shelter of Lacy's caves, carved out of the sandstone by the eccentric Colonel Lacy in the 18th century, before rejoining the riverside path and finally arriving back at the car park.

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 4 hours
Total ascent: 150m
Grade: Leisurely
Start: 11 am at the Eden bridge car park in Lazonby (Grid ref NY549402). Directions: From M6 Junction 41, turn onto the B5305 (signposted A6 Carlisle) and then follow the A6 to Plumpton. Turn right onto the B6413 and follow all the way to Lazonby (3 miles). Continue through the village and the road bends left alongside the river. After about 250m, and before reaching the bridge, there is a car park on the right.
Leader: Phil (07958 698905)

Sun 18 Jan - Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag

Start : Roadside parking at the bottom of Newlands Pass (free)
Start Time : 10am Grid Reference : NY 176 171
Description : This is a moderately strenuous walk for a winters day but with splendid views across the valleys in good weather.
Route: Bottom of Newlands Pass - Buttermere - Red Pike - High Stile - High Crag - Buttermere Fell - Return along South West side of Buttermere
Distance : Roughly 6.5 to 7 Miles
Highest Point : 807 metres
Grade : Strenuous - I have given it this grading as it is a mountain walk and in winter daylight hours are short
Time : 5.5 to 6 Hours
I reserve the right to modify the route in bad weather, good winter clothing, footwear and headlamps/torches needed.
Leader: Malcolm Tel: 07918652802 Email: oakwood@tesco.net

Sat 10 Jan - Potter Tarn & Gurnal Dubs

Potter Tarn & Gurnal Dubs - 6.5 miles, 400m ascent, level of difficulty: moderate

Meet in the Mill Yard at Staveley at 11am (SD 486 984). This is a short but beautiful walk offering beautiful views into Lakeland. It is an ideal introductory walk for anyone who is looking to start walking in the Lake District who has a reasonable level of fitness and/or is used to walks of at least 2-3 hours duration in gentler areas.

Leaving the village of Staveley the walk begins with an uphill climb to Littlewood Farm through fields. We will then cross to Birk Field and into more open countryside. Passing Potter Tarn on our left, we then climb to Gurnal Dubs where there is a surprisingly well built boat house. We then retrace our steps to Potter Tarn and descend Potter Fell to Hundhow and Hagg Foot where we cross the River Kent soon after. The walk then follows the Cumbria Way back to Staveley.

Please text Sarah on 07818 366 665 before 0930 on 10.1.2015 if you plan to join this walk or would like more information.

Sun 4 Jan - Birkgrigg Common, Bardsea Village and Conishead Priory

Start Point: Small car park between coast road and shore at Bardsea (grid ref - SD 301 742 on Explorer OL7) @ 11.00.  This is in the Furness area a few miles outside of Ulverston.

Description: Starting from the car park next to the beach, we walk towards Birkrigg Common via Sea Wood.  We will then walk past the stone circle to the trig point where there is a stunning view of the bay, Hoad monument and the Lake District fells.  After a circuit of Birkrigg Common we will walk through the village of Bardsea to Conishead Priory.  See website for further details: http://www.conisheadpriory.org/.  We will look at the architecture and gardens before walking back along the beach to the cars.

Distance: 6 miles

Highest Point: 136 metres

Time: 3-4 hours

Grade: Leisurely

Leader: Suzanne

Tel: 07887 942038 or email summittgoodrambling@gmail.com

Please could you let Suzanne know by 9.00 on the day if you are going.  If nobody contacts Suzanne the walk will be cancelled.