Sun 24 Jan - High Rigg from Castlerigg Stone Circle

Meet Time: 09.15 am
Walk Start Time: 09.30 am
Start Point: Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick, CA12 4RN (grid reference NY 291 237)
Car Parking: On the side of the road at Castlerigg Stone Circle (free)
Description: This walk is predominately on grassy footpaths, although there are a few brief sections on minor roads and a short stretch on the pavement next to A591. The paths are all ok, although in wet weather will be muddy. It is a circular route.
Route: From the stone circle, our route initially heads east using a mix of minor roads and footpaths towards Shundrew Quary. From here, we walk southwards over grassy footpaths, gaining height as we make our way towards Tewet Tarn. At the tarn the views over the Derwent Valley begin to open up, with the bulks of Skiddaw and Blencathra dominating the skyline. Continuing past Low Rigg we descend to St. John’s in the Vale Church. Outside this little church, which was rebuilt in 1845, there is a picnic bench where we may stop for a drink and a jelly baby before the brief, yet moderately steep, pull to the top of High Rigg. The summit is essentially just the top of a broad grassy ridge and is marked by a rocky outcrop and the obligatory Lakeland cairn. The view over to Clough Head and Great Dodd is lovely, and on a clear day the crags and screes are clearly seen. As we continue southwards from the summit, the route zig zags in order to avoid the spongey bits of ground until we meet a dry stone wall at the beginning of Long Band. At this point, we turn to the west and follow the wall down until we reach the bridleway that takes us to Sykes Farm. We now walk through fields of improved pasture to Low Nest, and cross the A591 (care required: road crossing) and follow the footpath north for about a third of a km before crossing back over (care required: road crossing) and take Castle Lane (a minor road) back to Castlerigg Stone Circle and the cars.
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Highest Point: High Rigg summit (355 m) (approx. 390 m height gain)
Grade: Moderate
Time: Approx. 4½ to 5 hrs
Important:
When this walk was recced there was evidence of cows being grazed on sections of this route, for this reason PLEASE DO NOT BRING DOGS ON THIS WALK. Thank you.
As this walk is taking place in January the amount of available daylight is short, please arrive promptly for a 09.30 am start. We intend to be back at the cars before dusk, but please bring a good headtorch and spare batteries just in case we are delayed for any reason.
Notes: If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk. If insufficient interest is shown in the walk it may be cancelled.
Contact: Please let Wayne know by 6 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk (text 07753 121168)