Join me for a really scenic and enjoyable route around the northern end of Borrowdale, taking in beautiful woodland, a modest Wainwright summit and an ancient neolithic site.
I have designed this route to appeal to those who enjoy taking in the impressive panorama of the northern Lake District without having to scale any lofty peaks. Or, equally, the walk could also serve a taster of what to expect up in the Lakes for people who are less experienced with walking in this area.
Compared to the majority of fell walking treks available in the Lakes, the terrain throughout this activity is quite easy and suitable for anybody with good mobility and a moderate level of hill fitness.
Please read on below to find out more about the route, which is 16km, or 10 miles, and expected to take around 7 hours to complete.
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The walk will begin at the Lake Road car park on Derwentwater, just outside Keswick town centre. We will head south on a network of easy paths past the view point of Friar's Crag and around some of the isolated bays of the lake.
Depending on the weather, the lake can be gently lapping away at the shore or whipping up a fury with dark, surging waves.
The next stages takes us slightly up the hillside through tranquil woodland where there is an abundance of different bird species. Views really start to open up across the glacial valley as we head south beneath Falcon Crag.
We will reach the famous Ashness Bridge, and then begin a steep climb up onto the fellside to "bag" the summit of Walla Crag. Here, there are rtule amazing views available across the north western and northern fells, Derwentwater and down into the dramatic valley of Borrowdale below.
Barrow Beck at Ashness Bridge
Gallery of photographs taken from this exact route at different times of the year.
Once down off the fellside, we will call by Rakefoot and to "The Gallery" café at Castlerigg Hall, which will provide the opportunity to have a little rest. There are toilet facilities here and the café has a nice range of hot and cold drinks and other tasty snacks. There's also beautiful view to enjoy looking west across Derwentwater.
Looking south from Castlerigg stone circle.
The next stage of route then leads northwards over some very different terrain with views to Skiddaw, Blencathra and other mighty fells in the area.
A series of fields and the A591 must be crossed, and we will soon arrive the ancient site of Castlerigg stone circle. A fine location for photography and also a chance to discuss the ceremonial practices of our ancient ancestors.
The return to Keswick will involce retracing our steps to Rakefoot and then descending back to Lakeside via Springs Wood. One the descent into the woodland, there are nice views south across Derwentwater. A stroll through Castlehead wood and Cockshott Wood will bring us back to Lakeside.
A short video showing the highlights that can be expected along this route (from May 2024).
Please bear in mind that I am a Mountain Leader, NOT a videographer!
BOTH DATES ARE NOW AT FULL CAPACITY
Thanks you to all those who have booked a space - I'll look forward to seeing you on the walk!
Important details about this specific activity.
The entire route accrues 16km, or 10 miles, with just over 500m ascent, and is expected to take around 7 hours. This activity is designed to be and informative outing with lots of discussion, time to take in the scenery and enjoy a refreshment stop at The Gallery Cafe, Castlerigg Hall - expect a gentle to moderate pace throughout, especially on some of the uphill slopes and uneven terrain.
It is necessary to have previous hill walking experience and a moderate level of fitness to take part in this activity.
There are some gradual hillside paths, rocky and boggy terrain, uneven terrain and exposed tree roots. If any individual is for any reason unsure of their ability, please email me via moorstomountains@gmail.com and we can discuss things further before making a booking.
If the walk leader observes a concern with fitness levels of an individual participant,
it may be necessary for that person to return the start of the activity for their own safety, where it is safe to do so.
Waterproof trail shoes or more sturdy boots are suitable for this activity.
Please refer to the Moors to Mountains Footwear, Clothing and Equipment Requirements.
This suitable for dogs to attend only by prior arrangement.
Children and young people over the age of 14 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian by prior arrangement.
Please bear in mind that the activity duration is calculated based on average walking speeds over the types of terrain encountered and previous occurrences of this specific route. The activity may be completed in a quicker or longer time than expected based on individual fitness levels within the group.
As mentioned, it is necessary to have previous hill walking experience and a moderate level of fitness to take part in this activity.
It should be mentioned that weather in the Lake District can be unpredictable at all times of the year and so it isn't possible to guarantee excellent views on every walk. It may be necessary for the walk leader to change the itinerary of the route for safety or other reasons, meaning that is is not possible to included certain advertised objectives.
Unless there is a safety concern posed by the weather forecast, activities will go ahead regardless of conditions.
Please see the Moors to Mountains Terms and Conditions before booking.
Meeting point and transport information.
Our meeting point is Keswick Launch(CA12 5DJ or NY264228 or W3W blockage.destroyer.stuck), where there is Pay and Display parking available at Lakeside Car Park, which is adjacent. It is also possible to park at Keswick Rugby Club for significantly less cost, which is a ten minute walk away.
Participants should meet at the time advertised on the booking page. You will be contacted if there are any changes.
There are LOTS of bus services to and from Keswick from Penrith, Windermere, Cockermouth and surrounding villages.
There is accommodation available in the vicinity of Keswick and Borrowdale, including camping, hostels and B&B's.
Please ask me if you need any advice on where to stay or transport links.
What to expect when booking a professionally
guided activity with Colin from Moors to Mountains.
A friendly and supportive group ethic is promoted on all activities.
It is normal for participants to feel anxious or nervous about joining a guided walk for the first time, meeting new people or just stepping out of their usual comfort zone. This is normal. Please try to remember that other people in the group will likely be feeling the same, and I can assure all participants that they will be making new friends and feeling comfortable in the surroundings in no time.
Knowledge and enthusiasm is shared throughout the activity.
Not only am I here to keep you safe and lead the group, I like to engage all participants in interesting conversation. Whether we are visiting a site with interesting geology and natural features or perhaps somewhere of historic significance, I like to make sure participants go away having learned something new. And as an environmentalist and lover of the outdoors, it is my mission to try and pass on my passion and knowledge to all who sign up to a Moors to Mountains activity.
Safety, motivation and attentiveness is guaranteed.
All Moors to Mountains activities are designed for smaller parties. The number of participants that is allowed will depend on the terrain of each specific activity. Suitable group sizes allow me to give each individual client the maximum attention throughout an activity, whether this is to answer questions, provide some guidance or physical assistance.
My promise is to deliver a high level of care and individual attentiveness to each member of the group.
It is not a race, everybody is here to enjoy the activity!
The benefit of booking onto my activities for small groups for many participants is that the reasonable pricing makes joining a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Leader to be more affordable. However, participants in each group are likely to be of mixed abilities. All participants will move together as a group and support each other throughout the activity. If you are a very fit and fast hill walker and would like to experience more of a physical challenge, I am available for private bookings that may be more enjoyable for you than my usual group activities.
I am qualified and insured, but also experienced in the mountains and hills of the UK.
As your guide, I am a qualified and insured Mountain Leader registered with the British Mountaineering Council and Mountain Training Association. I will only ever operate in areas where I have experience of the terrain and local knowledge. I have also volunteered with my community walking group for since 2011, where I have organised and led innumerable walks and expeditions across the whole of northern England, many areas of Scotland and Eryri/Snowdonia in North Wales. I also have a lot of personal experience in walking, wild camping and completing solo expeditions in these areas.
In that time, I have been lucky enough to spend time out on the hills and mountains with many people of different backgrounds and abilities. This experience has enabled me to develop an extensive knowledge of particular outdoor areas, and a penchant for designing routes that are both scenic and interesting. There are often places of historical or geological interest along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the landscape, history, industry, wildlife and geology.
Once a place has been booked on any activity.
I will personally contact each participant by email with any relevant information to the specific activity. The booking system will email participants a ticket but there is no need to present this when attending an activity. Participants will be sent thorough information and a Participation Consent Form that should be completed in good time before any activity takes place. This will ask for important medical information, important contact details and also request consent for me to give first aid where necessary, take any photographs (or not) and anything else relevant.
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on the activity.
COLIN - MOORS TO MOUNTAINS.