SHAP 20th July 2025


 

The Club enjoyed a wonderful day out in Shap exploring the scenic trails and miles of bracken and ferns. The weather was pretty kind considering the forecast with T-shirts and shorts the order of the day. It was only in the late afternoon when the rain came in that the walkers had to quicken the pace and tried in vain to beat the showers. There were seven walks in total that set off.

Darren’s walk started off with an unplanned tour of the housing areas of Shap before continuing past Shap Avenue & onwards to Shap Abbey. Continuing onwards they followed a path to the side of the River Lowther before stopping for lunch next to a waterfall after around 2 hours walking.

The next section of the walk took an eerie turn as bones and skulls adorned the forest trail which served as the starting point of their main ascent up to Hugh's Laithes Pike.

Once they got to the top they found 5ft high bracken in places with wet bogs and heather concealing 2ft holes. Some very aggressive flies who loved Nancy, continued to follow them around the ridge as they searched for some time for Hugh's Pike. Unfortunately by the time they found it, their enthusiasm for continuing to the viewpoint of High Street at High Forest had waned and so they descended through the bracken and altered the route omitting Scalebarrow Knott for a detour to the shores of Haweswater.

Returning via the coast to coast path into Shap where more C2C walkers started to appear as the day continued, they just managed to avoid the worst of the rain as they entered Shap and approached the coach. The walk ended up around 14 miles in length but with slightly less ascent than was originally planned.

Mike B’s walk was described as a ramble amongst the ancient boulders of Shap. Once you spotted one, you’d see them all over the fell side!

From the obvious Goggleby Stone behind Shap village to the Thunderstone at Castlehowe they traced others in and around the area and many so close to the motorway. The group, it turned out, by a most fortuitous coincidence had the most appropriate professionals amongst them: a horse-whisperer,  a bird watcher and a one-legged stripper!!! See if you can spot them in Mike’s photos!!!

But they timed their return to the coach perfectly, just before the heavens opened. A brilliant walk.

After leaving the coach at Huck's Bridge The Oldham’s headed up to Ashstead Fell in what could only be described as perfect walking conditions. The sun was shining with perfect views in all directions. The next 7 peaks along the range were bagged before being rudely halted by the M6. From here it was decided that the planned route was a little too optimistic in the given time, so after a quick change of plan they walked parallel to the train track back to Shap. Docker Force was spotted on the map so they went to take a look. The noise from the waterfall was quite impressive but unfortunately couldn't be seen due to the steep cliff and thick vegetation.  About 3 miles from Shap the heavens opened resulting in 3 very wet walkers arriving back at the coach. Altogether, 18 miles and 3000 ft ascent completed.

Paul’s walk went as planned with fortunately just a few short drizzly showers. And then just as they got back, a huge deluge started. The terrain was difficult with lots of bog, and they all had water over-topping their boots early on so had wet feet for most of the day. Some of the walkers were also troubled by an abundance of biting insects. there was pathless terrain and high, wet bracken to battle through. Lovely views particularly in the latter part of the day.

Ian’s walk was completed as per the original route plan. Some of the paths were difficult to follow as they were obviously under used and not well defined or maintained. It was however a good route if you like yomping over uneven, tufty, muddy or wet ground! Three ladies on their first walk with the Club acquitted themselves very well and seemed to enjoy the day. Ian’s final photo in their section of the album shows the group wading across a ford rather than risking negotiating the wet stepping stones.

Alan, Edwina and Ele on Alan’s walk didn't quite do the route on the card. After starting on footpaths to Keld then on to the Old Corpse Road, they eventually got to a field inhabited by some excitable-looking bullocks and so had to detour. Instead of going directly over White Raise and White Cap to Great Ladstones, they returned on a similar route with a few variations.  Just 7.5 miles and 1,000' ascent, but ok for Ele on her first walk for ages and Edwina with her dodgy knees.

Alan’s three photos show Goggleby Stone, a murky Great Ladstones summit, and lastly the descent.

Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such an enjoyable day. Special thanks to all of the photographers for their contributions (Darren, Nancy, Mike B, Eric, Michelle, Dawn, Pam B, Jason, Anne, Ian and Alan). And to Darren, Pat, Mike B, Keith, Paul, Ian and Alan for leading the walks. Looking forward to the next walk!

Open the album by clicking HERE

Click HERE to see Darren's beautiful video of his walk, to music.

Next Walks:

Sunday 3rd August 2025 – Coniston via Ambleside

5.30 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 past Windermere to Ambleside, A593 to Coniston. Park in Coniston.  Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

Sunday 17th August 2025 - Ilkley

5.30 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, on to the M65, M65 eastbound to junction 7, via A6185/A678 to the A680, A671 to roundabout N of Whalley, A59 to past Skipton, A65 to Ilkley. Park in Ilkley. Morning coffee stop at Darwen services, M65.

Sunday 31st August 2025 – Glenridding via St John’s in the Vale

5.30 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A591 through Windermere and Ambleside to Stanah, B5322 to the A66, A66 east, A5091 south through Dockray to the A592, A592 to Glenridding. Park in Glenridding. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

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