Sun 27th November - Wild Ennerdale

Car Parking: Forestry Commission car park, Bowness Knott, Ennerdale (grid reference NY 109 153, postcode CA23 3AU). This is a free car park with ample space.

Meet Time: 9.30 am at the car park

Walk Start: 9.45 am

Description: This walk follows a mixture of forestry tracks and footpaths. The tracks and paths are all good, although in wet weather they will be muddy in places. It is a circular route.

Route: This route takes us from the end of the public road eastwards into the Ennerdale valley. We follow the lakeside track for a couple of kilometres before turning right and heading over the River Liza. Once on the south side of the valley we continue our journey eastwards into the forest. After a short while in the Ling Mell plantation we leave the forestry track and follow the footpath to Moss Dub. From here, our route takes us deeper into the Ennerdale valley, past a homestead and over several little tributaries that feed the R. Liza, before we reach the main bridge over it. At this point we cross over the river, and amble back along the north side of the valley back to the cars. Throughout the walk we are rewarded with stunning views of well-known hills, such as Great Gable, Pillar and Red Pike from aspects not frequently seen.

Wild Ennerdale: Although a natural lake, for years Ennerdale has been used as an industrial asset, principally as a reservoir for drinking water but also as a source of quick growing wood from the conifer trees (used in the construction of aircraft in the Second World War). With this as a backdrop, the Wild Ennerdale project was set up in 2003 to allow the evolution of Ennerdale as a wild valley for the benefit of people, relying more on natural processes to shape its landscape and ecology. Using a strategy of “managed retreat”, the project is making great strides in reverting this area back into wild land, and is now home to red squirrels, deer and several semi-wild herds of cattle.

Distance: Approx. 8 miles

Highest Point: It’s a fairly flat route, no real height gain to speak of

Grade: Easy end of moderate

Time: Approx. 4 – 5 hours

Notes: If the conditions are bad the leader reserves 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 Katie know by 6 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk (mobile 07709 318 941)

Sun 20th November - Helm Crag and Easedale

Description: Helm Crag is an instantly recognisable fell in its prominent position overlooking Grasmere. This walk will take in this well known fell as well as two other Wainwrights that make up the northern side of Easedale Valley.

Route: From the starting point our route takes us out of Grasmere to the foot of Helm Crag (355m) where we begin our steep, although thankfully short, ascent. From the summit we carry on  north west along the ridge to Gibson Knott (375m) and then finally to Calf Crag (537m). We then  begin the descent back to Grasmere via Far Easedale Gill, following the route of the Coat to Coast.

Grade: Strenuous (although to experienced walkers this will definitely seem more of a moderate walk)

High Point: Calf Crag summit (537m)

Height Gain: Approx. 560m (1835ft)

Distance: Approx 7.8 miles (12.5km)

Meet Time: 9.15am

Start Time: 9.30am

Time: Approx 5-6 hours

Start Finish: The village car park on Stock Lane in Grasmere (grid reference NY339 072, postcode LA22 9SJ).

Car Parking: There is a variety of parking in and around Grasmere. There are various pay and display car parks in the village as well as some free roadside parking on the A591 south of the Travellers Rest Inn.

Buses: Public transport is available from Keswick and Ambleside and also from Lancaster and Kendal to Ambleside. Both directions use the Stagecoach 555.

Please Note: By mid-November the number of hours of daylight with be reduced with sunset being around 4pm. Although I plan for us to be back in daylight please bring with you a good torch along with spare batteries, warm clothes and food. As we'll be well into autumn, an orange 'bivvy bag' or similar should be in your rucksack just in case (they only cost a few quid and take up minimal space, but can provide essential shelter if necessary).

Leader: Tom

Please let Tom know by 6.00pm on Saturday the 19th if you are coming on this walk - text 07760 660113. I will be in an area with no mobile signal Saturday night so there is no guarantee I will get any late messages.

If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk.

Sun 13th November - Seat Sandal and Grasmere Social

Description: On the southern tip of the Helvellyn range, Seat Sandal stands alone from its nearest neighbours, separated from them by a deep col. This hill, though, is a fine vantage point from which to admire Grasmere, Greenburn and the Wythburn Fells

Route: From the start point, our route follows the direct route up the long, broad ridge that take you directly to Seat Sandal summit. Although every step is upwards until the summit is reached, it does mean that the views become increasingly impressive as you turn around to enjoy the scenery of the central lakes.

From the summit, we’ll wander to the north, descending to the col with Dollywagon Pike. We then contour around to Grisedale Hause, enjoying the close-up view of Grisedale Tarn as we go.

As we begin our descent we pass a waterfall, before following the path next to Tongue Gill. Soon we will pass Tonguegill Force and arrive back at the start, ready to find a café or pub for a drink and slice of cake.

Grade: Moderate

High Point: Seat Sandal summit (736 m)
Height gain: Approx. 675 m (2,250 ft)
Distance: Approx. 5.3 miles (8.6 km)

Meet Time: 9.45 am
Start Time: 10.00 am
Time: Approx. 4.5 hours
Start / Finish: Outside the Travellers Rest Inn on the A591, just to the north of Grasmere village (postcode LA22 9RR, grid reference NY 336 089).

Car Parking: There is a long layby on the side of the A591 just south of the Travellers Rest Inn, before the turning to Grasmere village. If this is full there are various pay and display car parks in Grasmere village itself (approx. 10 minute walk away)

Buses: Public transport is available from Keswick to Ambleside and also from Lancaster & Kendal to Ambleside. Both directions use the Stagecoach 555.

Late Afternoon Social & Evening Meal: Following the walk we will hold a meetup for us all to chill out, relax and enjoy each others' company after a day in the fells. We'll meet around 4 pm at a pub (TBA) in Grasmere, and then find somewhere for a meal about 5 pm-ish. It's a very informal get-together, so feel free to bring friends, relatives, pets and other random people you might think that will enjoy it!

Please Note: By mid-November the number of hours of daylight will be reduced with sunset being around 4 pm. Although I plan for us to be back to start in daylight, please bring with you a good torch (and spare batteries), spare warm clothes and food. As we’ll be well into autumn, an “orange bivvy bag” (or similar) should be in your rucksack, just in case (they only cost a few quid and take up minimal space, but can provide essential shelter if necessary).

Leader: Tom

Please let Tom know in advance by 6.00 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk (text 07760 660113)

If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk.

Sun 6th November - Beda Fell and Place Fell

Description: A less trodden felltop round on the quiet side of Ullswater. Place Fell is a fine vantage point on a clear day of Ullswater and the Helvellyn range.

Car Parking: By the green at Martindale Old Church on the lane leading to Howe Grain (approached on a lane down the east side of Ullswater from Pooley Bridge, approx 5 miles), NY 434184.

Start / Finish: Martindale Old Church

Meet Time: 9.15am

Start Time: 9.30am

Route: From Martindale Old Church follow the lane over the bridge and head uphill on a grassy path at Winter Crag Farm to reach the skyline at Howsteadbrow. At the iron bench looking over Ullswater turn left to ascend the ridge on a grassy path with occasional rocky steps. Gaining height steadily to Beda Head (509m) and drop into the broad saddle, before climbing again to Beda Fell Knott. Just south of the knott, turn right on the bridlepath leading towards Patterdale and drop down to Boredale Hause. From here an engineered footpath leads to Place Fell (657m) with its rocky knoll topped by a trig point.  Descending NE from the summit to the knobble of Hart Crag, before continuing down (steeply at first) to an abandoned sheep fold at Low Moss.  Fork right on the path contouring the eastern shoulder of High Dodd before descending into Boredale and crossing the footbridge over the beck (the fields surrounding the bridge can be very wet!). Join the farm track and head straight across the lane over a stile to ascend to the iron bench before retracing outward route back to the cars.

Distance: 6.8miles

Time: 5.5 - 6 hours

Grade: Moderate

Please let Mel know in advance by 5.00pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk - text 07584303975.

I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk dependent on weather conditions.