WYTHBURN TO GRASMERE - 19th July 2026
This was yet another fabulous
walk - a real scorcher, but with a slightly cool northerly breeze which was a
Godsend for those who climbed high. There was a bit of mind changing on the
journey up, with Martin abandoning his walk with just Jason opting to accompany
him, then Mike James also abandoning his private walk with Gerry.
All four of them decided to team
up with Mike Birkby, so all worked out in the end after Stuart had crossed out
and amended the transport sheet (twice)!!
Everyone had a fantastic day and
there were no signs of heat exhaustion.
Mike B’s joined up group which
comprised Mike J’s, Martin’s and Gerry’s groups - decided that just one group
made sense, and so all set off together for Helm Crag via Green Burn
Waterfalls. After a quick visit to the Falls they climbed Bracken Hause
to the col and then up Helm Crag. They then descended by a perilously steep
path through waist high bracken down to Stythwaite Step waterfalls in Easedale.
By then it was time to return, and they were finally rewarded with a drink in
Lancrigg Hotel’s tree shaded gardens. A brilliant day’s walking.
Keith's group left the
coach just before the Travellers Rest Inn at Grasmere and headed up towards
Easedale Tarn. It was lovely to see so many family groups having a lovely day
out whilst enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful tarn. As the group continued
towards Sergeant Man the crowds disappeared and the views of the surrounding
peaks opened up in all directions. The group continued across High Raise,
Sargeant's Crag and Eagle Grag where they met up with Geoff's group. It was
decided there wasn't enough time to drop down to the valley floor so a quick
change of plan led to the two groups walking back together to Greenup Edge. Due
to the change of plan, the group now had plenty of time to spare so they made
their way back to Grasmere via Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. Overall a
very pleasant day was had with 15 miles and 4300 ft of ascent completed.
Stu’s group set off up the
notoriously boggy Wythburn Valley which, due to the recent spell of dry
weather, was not boggy at all!
The cool northerly breeze made
the long climb up to 'Wythburn Tarns' more bearable. When you reach the
so-called tarns, what you find is a wide area of very wet ground, a little
drier in the current weather but still impossible to cross.
Turning south westerly at the
aptly named 'The Bog', a faint track took them up to Brownrigg Moss, another
famous quagmire, recently made easy to traverse after large granite stones have
been laid down.
Here they met an Australian
couple from Canberra, on their third day of the 'Coast to Coast Wainwright
walk'.
Another steep half hour climb,
brought them to Codale Head, another area which has at one time been a tarn,
but is now a series of grassy pools.
Sergeant Man, their first
Wainwright of the day, allowed them to pause for photographs of the mountains
all around them along with several of the lakes and tarns below.
Descending to cross Blea Rigg,
Wainwright number two, the long and twisting ridge with many ups and downs,
brought them to the final climb to the top of Silver How, Wainwright number
three.
Fabulous aerial views of Grasmere
and the valley below, meant more photos were a must.
The combination of sunshine and
blue skies gave the mountains all around a perfect setting, with rock shadows
and slopes clearly defined.
The final descent into Grasmere
village is steep, especially for tired leg muscles, but after passing Wray Gill
Waterfalls, with barely a trickle of water falling, they soon reached Allan
Bank and level ground.
A quick stop at the Gingerbread
shop (a long queue forming outside!) and a change of footwear at the coach, they
then off to the pub for welcome cold drinks.
A perfect day on the Fells - 10
miles and 2,750 feet of ascent.
Alan’s did a solo walk,
starting at the Swan Inn, going up to Alcock Tarn and then on to Nab Scar.
Dense bracken everywhere! From Nab Scar he went on to Heron Pike and then to
Great Rigg. He'd considered going on to Fairfield but it was getting ever
hotter and he was low on water so he skipped that. He went down from Great Rigg
to Stone Arthur, and descended from there (lots more bracken!) to Greenhead
Gill and on into Grasmere. So 4 Wainwrights, and in the end about 8 miles and
2,600' ascent.
Edwina did a short
private walk for knee rehab after an injury in early April. Starting in
Grasmere she set off for Easedale Tarn at a slow and steady pace as it was her
first "off road " walk since March. A glorious day with
Sourmilk Gill drier than she could ever ever remember, although a few folks
took advantage of the low-level pool for a dip. She didn't quite make it
to the tarn but thoroughly enjoyed testing out the knee and feeling more
confident for next time!
Paul C’s group found that it
was not too warm in the morning for the first climb to Steel Fell, and whilst
lunch on the top was in sunshine, with wonderful views, there was a cool
breeze and it was very pleasant. The next stretch to Calf Crag which is
notoriously boggy, they found no problem getting across due to the recent dry
weather. By the time the group started descending into Far Easedale, where
there was little wind, the heat of the sun was making itself felt. Part way
down, the path across to Easedale Tarn appeared quite short on the map, but
uphill in the heat it seemed to take forever! A pleasant break by the tarn and
then an easy descent to Grasmere in time for some well-earned refreshment. 10.7
miles and a little over 3,000 feet of ascent.
Pat G and Lorna were a
very select group of 2 on this walk starting from Ambleside. They started
by taking the Loughrigg path but didn't go over the fell. Instead they went
round it passing Loughrigg Tarn on the way. After a short rest at the Tarn
taking in the lovely view over to the Langdales they continued along the Tarn
to a minor road for a short way to Loughrigg Terrace and managed to get a nice
seat to eat lunch. They had one of the best views In the Lake District looking
down on Grasmere Lake and up to Dunmail Raise. After lunch they continued
along the terrace, then took a sharp left turn to walk along Grasmere Lake
which in one-part resembled Blackpool with so many people enjoying themselves
both in and out of the water. A nice sight. They continued along the lake and
the minor road into Grasmere. A very good day lovely scenery and perfect
weather.
Geoff’s planned route was
completed with no alterations with the 9 of then visiting Ullscarf, Sergeants
Crag & Eagle Crag. Darren lost his glasses early on in the walk with him
descending about 300 ft to search for them. Eventually a blurry walk was chosen
to be the better option, and the group reformed with Ullscarf followed by the 2
crags. They barely saw anyone bar the Oldham's who they synced up with for the
visit to Eagle Crag before separating again near Greenup Edge. Their return to
Grasmere at 4.40pm just allowed time for 2 quick pints!
Next Walks:
Sunday 2nd August 2026 – Keswick via A66
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 40, A66 to Keswick. Because of new parking constraints in Keswick, the coach will drop off in Keswick if required (but not in a car park) then park outside the town, returning to park in the usual Booth’s car park around 3pm. Morning coffee stop at Tebay services.
Sunday 16th August 2026 - Langdale
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 through Windermere to Ambleside, A593 to Skelwith Bridge, B5343 to Langdale. Park near the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
Sunday 30th August 2026 – Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes
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 Gisburn, A682/A65/B6480/B6479 to Settle, B6479
through Horton in Ribblesdale to the B6255, B6255 to Hawes. The coach will park by the craft centre in Hawes, a wide area off the
A684 in the eastern end of the village, beside the disused railway station. Morning coffee stop at Darwen services, M65.
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