A visit to the Northern Fells are of the Lake District is always very pleasant and rewarding. While the area is possibly more known for the huge mountain massif of Skiddaw and neighbouring Blencathra, there are a number of lesser frequented fells that offer a chance to get away from the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful walking experience.
I have spent many days walking and wild camping in this area and feel myself drawn back often to enjoy the quieter fells, the unique landscape and the interesting history that the Northern Fells have to offer.
This activity will take in multiple summits and the route is adaptable to allow for different options depending on the overall group ability. There will be visits to Bannerdale Crags and Bowscale Fell, with the addition of Souther Fell if time and weather conditions on the day allow for a third top.
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The overall distance is 16 kilometres, or around 10 miles, and the walk is expected to take up to 8 hours at a steady pace. This outing does involve some steep hillside paths, previous hill walking experience and a moderate level of fitness is required to take part in this activity.
Please take some time to let the photo galleries run through scenes from different times of year that nicely showcase the area.
You will see that the Northern Fells is a place where visitors are able to become immersed in the natural beauty of the Lake District.
The hills that are encountered throughout this walk are less in stature than neighbouring peaks but are all brilliant vantage points to offer spectacular views of the post-glacial landscape that was shaped by the last and other previous ice ages.
There are lots of opportunities to to take in the nearby mountain summits with glacial horned peaks and narrow aretes, with dramatic crags and deep valleys cut out by the movement of ice in the immediate vicinity.
Another note of geological interest, a subject that we will crop up in discussion many times over the course of the day, is that we will be walking across terrain that is made up of the oldest rocks in the Lake District. The "Skiddaw Slates" group was formed almost half a billion years ago when this region was at the bottom of a prehistoric ocean.
There is also so much history to learn about. Lead and slate mining in the Northern Fells dates back to Neolithic times, although it became more prevalent in recent centuries. It is possible to see evidence of workings at various locations in the area.
And for those who have an interest in the supernatural, we will also have a spooky and unexplained story that details several well documented accounts of a ghost army of Jacobite soldiers marching over Souther Fell back in more turbulent times.
Participants can also look forward to a refreshment stop at Lorraine's Tea Garden in Mungrisdale village, where there are toilet faciltities.
​Important details about this specific activity.
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The entire route accrues 16km, or 10 miles, with just under 900m ascent, and includes some steep hillside paths. Our outing is expected to take up to 8 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 Lorraine's Tea Garden in Mungrisdale - expect a gentle to moderate pace throughout, especially on some of the more challenging uphill slopes.
It is necessary to have previous hill walking experience and a moderate level of fitness to take part in this activity.
There are a number of steep hillside slopes on grass, heather and boggy terrain. If an 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.
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This activity requires sturdy boots or trail shoes with stiff soles. NOT trainers, approach or trail shoes with soft soles.
Please refer to the Moors to Mountains Footwear, Clothing and Equipment Requirements.
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Certain breeds of dog are welcome to attend by prior arrangement only.
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 participate.
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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.
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Please see the Moors to Mountains Terms and Conditions before booking.
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Meeting point and transport information.
​The activity meeting point is The White Horse Inn at Scales (CA12 4SY), where there is parking available.
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Participants should meet at the time advertised on the booking page. You will be contacted if there are any changes.
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There are frequent, reliable buses from Penrith, Keswick and other neighbouring villages. Lots of various accommodation is available in the vicinity of Scales, Mungrisdale and Keswick, including camping, hostels, B&B's. It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment. Please ask me if you need advice on where to stay or transport links.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 that are at a moderate or even gentle pace.
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I am qualified, insured and 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.
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​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.
Participants are advised to take out their own travel insurance for any booked activity, accommodation, travel costs and any other expenses involved in attending the booked activity in the event of cancellation or unforeseen personal circumstances preventing attendance.
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Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on the activity.
COLIN - MOORS TO MOUNTAINS.