Nice day on the fells today

An enjoyable morning on the fells, from Buttermere, up to Red Pike then over High Stile and High Crag, followed by an enjoyable afternoon listening to the match on RC. A good Saturday all round.



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The last few posts had me thinking about cycling round Arran again, did it yesterday, probably not as quick as the likes of Laffy or MRF would do it, a strenuous but enjoyable day, the roads very quiet as shops, cafes, etc shut for the funeral of our Queen.

Strictly speaking, not a day on the fells, but 57 miles and 3,150 feet of climbing, according to my GPS, it felt a good day out.

If I remember rightly, it took me a tad longer than that, probably about 7hours plus, in defence though I stopped at the cafe in Lamlash for a breakfast, the cafe in Blackwaterfoot for a late breakfast, Machrie Golf Club for a tea break, the Stags Pavillion in Lochranza for a lunch, combined with a visit to the distillery, and the Corrie Hotel for a pint, Great day out

I’ve tried to do the whole ride around in under 3 hours-best is 3 15 so it’s beyond me.I’ve had some great days there though and the ride back on the ferry after a day in the saddle is something to savour.

Quoted from Laffy on Friday, 26 August 2025

Great place Arran-cycling around the island is a good challenge but in the west side, cycling along the shore, is beautiful.Stop at the distillery at the top end, the ride back to catch the last ferry back and chips on the boat

Magic

That`s a great day out, did it about 10 years ago now, will have to have another go. That road along the west coast is lovely and quiet, in fact once past the Brodick - Whiting Bay stretch there`s not that much traffic.

Goat Fell the highest peak on Arran from Brodick Castle is a superb walk.

Great place Arran-cycling around the island is a good challenge but in the west side, cycling along the shore, is beautiful.Stop at the distillery at the top end, the ride back to catch the last ferry back and chips on the boat

Magic

Another SNP failure sadly…

You`re right there Laffy, not so long since it was only really bad weather that knocked the ferries off, now it`s often mechanical problems, and staffing issues as well. It`s an adventure in itself getting to and from the islands, must be a torment to folk who live out there, not to mention business disruption.

Nice photos-I usually do the Five Ferries cycle ride once a year which is a great trip.Sadly the ferries aren’t that reliable just now

Getting on for a couple of months ago now me `n` me bro were having a few days hillwalking on the Isle of Arran, and walking along the road toward a watering hole, the Paddle Steamer Waverley chugged past, a couple of pics posted earlier on this thread, anyway checked the timetable and route and thought it`d be good to have a bit of a cruise, so we did that today. Though we didn`t walk any of the fells today, it was good to see what we`d walked and climbed from a different prospect and some crackin` views.

‘Borrowdale Banksy’ mystery leaves mark on the fells

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/9d049e3e-16e0-11ed-b4a0-f11f082a3a3c?shareToken=997fcb242055fdb1cef9dc64356ae881

I’ve had 2 contrasting walks in the lakes this week. On Monday I parked at Newlands church to complete “A Newlands round” was cloudy but warm to start with, first peak was due to be “Robinson” got up there and it was misty, then the rain started and I mean started, headed off to “Newlands Hause” conditions were awful, getting slightly concerned about conditions at this point.

Anyway, things clear up a bit as I head down towards Newlands pass and head up “Knott Rigg” then onto “Ards Crags” I’m then supposed to go onto “Scar crags and Causey Pike” but my outdoor activity app sends me a different route back towards Newlands church where my car is, so I call it a day.

Wednesday I head back about 2pm to complete “Coledale Horseshoe” park at the little car park at the foot of “Grisedale pike” and head ho there, glorious weather, then onto “Eel Crag (Crag hill) then Sail” bump into a lovely couple who point out I could do “Scar crags and Causey Pike” if I follow the path straight on, I do this and complete the missing two from Monday.

Head back the way I came then back into the valley (bumped into the skids 😉) where I finished with “Outerside and Barrow” 10 Wainwrights done and 2 very contrasting but enjoyable walks.

Had a quick blast round Whinlatter today, the view towards Keswick and Derwentwater where they had to remove some trees due to disease is too drawer…

Fair play to you Wukkie for hillwalking yesterday in those temperatures. On the subject of appropriate car registrations, perhaps EEJ 1T may be apt for our wonderful owners.

Quoted from Laffy on Monday, 18 July 2025

That will be Patty with his new reg

Could he afford a private reg?

That will be Patty with his new reg

I tried ascending Lads How up Grasmoor but gave up as I was melting and fighting through 5 feet ferns wasn't much fun so cut my losses and did Rannerdale Knotts instead so at least the day wasn't a complete waste of time.

One of the highlights of the day is I passed a car with the registration Boo 4 Lap so I guess they weren't a fan of the failed takeover a few years back!

Quoted from Reopen The St Nich on Saturday, 02 July 2025

Thanks Yorkie Blue, I totally agree, I’ve found myself with some amazing views and scenery on my walks, I’m quite a quick walker and the walk I mention above in the newlands valley which was 9:8 miles, I completed in 3 hours and 20 minutes, I always take time to stop and take it in, so good for the soul in my opinion, I’m often amazed how few people I see on the fells, even in really good weather, on my last walk I saw two fell runners and a guy setting up to wild camp, that’s it.

Breathe in the solitary and enjoy it, that's what you want. I hate it when the spot you go to is swamped (usually by extremely loud southerners in the Summer).

And a walk I haven't done but have heard lots of good thins about is the high level route above Eskdale starting from near the Hardknott Pass at Brotherkield, I think. Looks like a fabulous long walk up the valley and then across the tops - Esk Pike, Great End etc - before walking back down the valley again. A long walk though by all accounts.

There' also Skiddaw starting from Bassenthwaite, not Keswick, so you can go up by Ullock Pike and then come back down into the Dash Valley. Lovely walk and a bit off the beaten track.

Thanks NCF

I know the owner of the pub at Wasdale-Nigel Burton.He’s a decent fella.I’ve done that route across the screes on the far side-the dog didn’t like it much but it was a good long walk

Quoted from Laffy on Saturday, 02 July 2025

Looking at doing a Lakes walk next week-max 10 miles loop.Any recommendations?Nothing too hairy

Few ideas form walks I've enjoyed, Laffy.

Bowfell and Crinkle Crags from Langdale is an absolute beauty.
Walked it a few times and has many good things going for it.
You start at the head of Langdale which is beautiful.
The Old Dungeon Ghyll pub is a lovely spot for a pint at the end.
The walk between Crinkle Crags and Bowfell is gorgeous.
The views down into all the valleys - Eskdale, Borrowdale, Langdale are lovely.
Walking back down the Band is a really nice way to finish the walk

The Fairfield Horseshoe is also a cracker.
Because it's so central the views across the district are fabulous

The round from High Street.
Did this last year for the first time and was fantastic.
Right out in the Eastern Lakes.
If it's been hot you'll see the remains of the flooded village at Mardale.
Two mountain tarns to enjoy.
Fantastic views of the whole of the central lakes.

As others have mentioned the Coledale Horseshoe is absolutely wonderful as is the Newlands Horseshoe.
Newlands especially is such a pretty, tranquil place.

Helvellyn as well is a nice circular walk if you go up by Helvellyn and down by Swirral Edge.

There's also the Mosedale Horseshoe if you are out further West. Starting off at Wasdale Head you can do a round including Pillar which is a very dramatic walk.
The only downside to that for me is that I've never really liked the Wasdale Head Inn. For such an iconic location I've always found it to be a bit disappointing.

Haven't been walking on the fells for ages. Really miss it. Take some photos so we can all enjoy!

You're spoilt for choice!

Thanks Yorkie Blue, I totally agree, I’ve found myself with some amazing views and scenery on my walks, I’m quite a quick walker and the walk I mention above in the newlands valley which was 9:8 miles, I completed in 3 hours and 20 minutes, I always take time to stop and take it in, so good for the soul in my opinion, I’m often amazed how few people I see on the fells, even in really good weather, on my last walk I saw two fell runners and a guy setting up to wild camp, that’s it.

Quoted from Reopen The St Nich on Saturday, 02 July 2025

I know it’s frowned upon by some on here, but I’m still cracking on with wainwright bagging, my daughters bought me “definitive guide to wainwright bagging” it’s written by a couple of locals, Karen and Dan Parker, they helped create the route which Steve Birkinshaw used when he broke Joss Naylors record.

It breaks the fells down into areas and groups, tells you where to start, where you park even, then detailed map and route, it’s been a great help to me.

Last week I did, Bakestall, that completed “northern skiddaw horseshoe” section, couple of nights later I did Graystones and Whinlatter how, this completed “Wythorp wandering” section.

Then on Thursday I did “Dale head horseshoe” which included, hindscarth, Dale head,high spy, maiden moor and cat bells.Newlands valley is amazing for views.

Parked at Newlands church near little town and started from there, just under 10 miles, covered a lot of ground this ground but so worth it.

I know Wainwright, Munros, etc "bagging" is looked upon with disdain in some quarters, but on the positive side it gets you into parts of the country that may never be visited, I`ve done the Wainwrights and I`m well on doing the Scottish Munros and Corbetts plus the occasional Marilyn and I`ve been fortunate to have been in some absolutely stunning, quiet and remote areas of the Lakes and Scotland, and taking on board Wukkies comments, also working through Wainwrights Outlying Fells, some real little gems there. Keep up the good work.