Little Walks

Mountain Sounds Little Walks in the Lake District

The Lake District can be enjoyed in many different ways and I often think about the epic days out I’ve had climbing up in the high fells where the views are magnificent but the walking is hard. Not everyone in the group has the drive or the ability to complete those tough walks.  As I’ve grown older I have started to appreciate those places that are not so hard to reach where you can get the biggest view for the smallest effort.  Here are three Little Walks that I want to share.  Maybe you know them already.  I hope you won’t mind me revealing the secret.

Above Grange, Borrowdale

There are quite a few little walks from Grange that deliver wonderful views but this is a little one which gives easy rewards.  Parking is not easy in Grange, there are a few spaces just by the bridge and a few more on the main road to Keswick.  You should consider catching the bus as there are a couple that pass through Grange and will drop you at the bridge.

Walk through the village, up the road that leads to Manesty and Catbells.  As you go round the bend you will pass the old school and just before you get to the hotel there is a path on the left which heads up towards Hollows Farm.  In spring, the field is usually full of spring lambs and you are immediately rewarded by being able to observe them fully enjoying their new life.  If the weather is good they bask in the sun, happy to show their good sides to the passing tourists, but don’t get too close and make sure your dog is on a lead.  They are easily spooked and they will just as easily scurry away to the far corners of the field.

Carry on up the hill to the gate.  To the left is the path to the farm and to the right is a small copse.  Follow the path straight ahead with the copse on your right and you go up and over a small hill and then down the other side towards another gate.  On the other side is the path up through Nitting Haws to the top of Maiden Moor.  If you are able then it is a great alternative route to the summit of Maiden Moor.  For this walk we are only going part of the way up so follow the path up to the foot of the waterfall where you will find a handy knoll just off the side of the path.  Beyond this point it does get a lot steeper and much harder work, but we are not going any further. Our destination has always been the waterfall and the knoll.  Just spread out your coat or blanket and sit and look at the view over Derwent Water ahead and further down Borrowdale to your right.  You have walked for no more than 15 minutes (depending on how long you have spent admiring the lambs) and the vista has opened up. Take out your flask or cold beverage and piece of cake and relax.  This route up to Maiden Moor isn’t well travelled so you will only see a few souls on their way up or down. 

When you have drunk in the views and watched a few walkers struggle up the steep path above, then it is up to you how you proceed.  You can follow the path up to Maiden Moor or back down the way you came.  A pleasant option to follow the path to Hollows Farm, and then down the lane to the campsite before returning to Grange. 

It is only a few miles to walk and you barely reach higher than 150m, but there is a lot to see and enjoy.

Bluebells on Loughrigg Terrace

This is a popular walk and you should be prepared to meet many other walkers on this route, but you will still be able to find a spot to stop and relay and enjoy the view.  The terrace on Loughrigg Fell can be reached in a number of ways.  We have often parked at Elterwater and walked up the road that passes High Close Youth Hostel and onto the path through the woods that leads to the top of the terrace path.  You also get the extra treat by walking through the gardens of the Youth Hostel which are filled with Rhododendrons which put on a colourful show in the spring.  

Once onto the terrace the view is immediately before you.  Grasmere and the village lie ahead with Helm Crag and Dunmail Raise beyond.  To the right are the slopes of the Hellvellyn fells and to the left the fells surrounding Grasmere Common. You can sit on one of the many benches and pass the time of day.  If you are there in early May you are also treated to the site of the bluebells which cover the lower slopes of the terrace.  The smell, oh the smell is heavenly.

Below you is the little beach beside the water where you can watch the dog walkers attempt to stop their pets diving into the lake and then splashing everyone in sight.  You will occasionally see swimmers bobbing along with their safety floats following behind.  I always wish I was brave enough to try wild swimming, but am afraid of the cold.

A treat is when the jets fly through.  You may wonder at this, they really are spectacularly loud and disrupt the tranquility but they are so majestic and elegant as they swoop through the gap at Dunmail Raise as they practice their low level flying.  I am never quick enough to grab my camera or phone to get a picture or video.  

When you have had your fill of looking towards Grasmere you can try to spot the line of the Coffin Route along the slopes of Nab Scar and Heron Pike.  The path runs from Rydal to the church at Grasmere and as the name suggests was a route used to carry coffins.  

It is never truly quiet on Loughrigg Terrace, there is the strange juxtaposition of the sounds on nature and modern life.  You can always hear the traffic on the A591, but the hum of the road is balanced by the water running over the weir and the constant singing of the skylarks that soar over the hill.

If you don’t fancy the walk from Elterwater you also have the option of parking in Grasmere.  The walk along the side of the road is not as pleasant (the A591 can be very busy) but you soon find yourselves at Penny Rock Wood and following the path to the edge of the lake.  Most people will choose to park at White Moss Car Park and to follow the delightful walk through the trees following the river between Rydal Water and Grasmere.

Whichever way you choose to arrive, Loughrigg Terrace is a view to be admired and shared.

Holme Fell, a hidden gem

You can drive a long way up to this fell using the road to High Tilbertwaite and Hodge Close.  It is a narrow road, shaded in spring by the many trees that grow beside Tilbertwaite Beck. You need to drive slowly and look for the passing places because you will always meet one car coming the other way.  

Parking is found at Hodge Close Quarry and from the car park you already have some splendid view up towards Birk Fell and Weatherlam and between the trees you can catch a glimpse of the Langdale Pikes.

Before you start your walk, take the opportunity to peer into Parrock quarry.  Be warned the drops into the quarry are steep and even though there is rudimentary fence around the quarry you can walk right up to the edge.  On most days you will be able to see the famous skull, a trick of the light created by the reflection of the rocks in the water.  

There are quite a few paths up to Holme Fell. You can walk back down to the road to High Tilberthwaite Farm where a track leads up the fell or you follow the path to the right of the quarry, they are two ends of the same path that winds around the side of the fell.  

Halfway along you will find the turn that leads up the fell.  So start walking upwards and you will soon find that this is one of the fells with lots of little high points and many easy paths criss-crossing the high ground.  The summit isn’t easy to find but if you generally follow paths in a southerly direction, you should eventually find your way to the top.  

It is up to you how far you want to ascend.  Be sure to stop and turn to look behind you as often as you can, you will begin to appreciate the location of the fell as a viewing point;  Weatherlam rises to the West, to the North West you can see the Pike O Blisco and glimpses of Crinkle Crags and the Langdale Pikes and to the North there is Fairfield Horseshoe. 

If you are feeling adventurous you carry further along the top of the fell to stand on Raven Crag which is the magnificent buttress you will have passed as you entered the Tilbertwaite Valley.  You may see or hear the peregrines that nest on the crags below and you can look down to Coniston Water.  

You may be lucky enough to see the Belted Galloway cows which roam freely on the fell at some times of the year.  They seem to like standing on the steepest slopes, slowly munching away on the vegetation and enjoying their freedom.   Maybe they are also enjoying the views.

This is a wonderful walk for an evening, you can spend a happy hour or so wandering around, listening to the bird life and enjoying the views.

Final Thoughts

There is much joy in sitting and appreciating a view and you shouldn't have to hike for hours to be able to do this.  I hope you take the opportunity to try some of these Little Walks.  Have a wonderful time.