Grisedale Tarn, Fairfield and

Located in the stunning Grisedale Valley, Cruck Barn and Elm How really are on the doorstep of a walker’s paradise. They are two of our new Cottages and being over a mile from the nearest public road with no TV signal means the best thing to do from here is walk!

Set off from either property and head deeper into the valley towards what is known as Grisedale Forest despite the very apparent lack of trees. You will pass Ruthwaite Lodge, a climbing hut on your right as you make your way through rocky scenery towards Grisedale Tarn. The imposing craggy face of Dollywagon Pike looms above but wait for your photo opportunity, it is even better further on.

Just off the path before the tarn is Brother’s Parting Stone and much easier to spot from this direction. A poem is inscribed into the stone though it is weatherworn and largely unintelligible. The stone is said to mark the spot where William Wordsworth and his brother John last saw each other before John drowned at sea.

As you reach Grisedale Tarn cross the stepping stones to the left and walk clockwise around the tarn towards Hause Gap and follow the clear path alongside the wall to the summit of Fairfield. Due to the rocky nature of the summit and various piles of stones, shelters and paths in many directions, a map and compass are essential to get off the summit safely in poor conditions.

There are many shelters on Fairfield for a lunch stop and are perfect to survey the view. The next leg of the walk heads downwards over Cofa Pike a rocky pinnacle between Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. From here don’t forget to look back to Dollywagon Pike across the valley for the impressive view of the craggy face. he descent from St Sunday Crag offers several choices, a straight down descent from to Elm How Plantation, which gets you back to your accommodation quickly and directly. However my preference is to walk down over Birks towards Trough Head and through the interesting rocky tops of Arnison Crags. This route takes you straight down into the garden and carpark of the Hotel, which is a perfect place to stop for a well deserved pint or cup of tea in the welcoming bar.

It is possible to return home by retracing your steps to the wall at the foot of Oxford Crags and then keep the wall on your right all the way back to Elm How Plantation.

Aira Force walk

You can walk from the carpark up a reasonably smooth path that follows the course of the beck, all the way to the top of the falls. If you are planning a longer walk, bear in mind that there is a minimum cost of £4 to park and this is only for 2 hours. On this occasion we decided to park elsewhere and go for a longer walk.

We parked up at Dockray near the Royal Hotel. The walk took us down the farm lane from the village and along the side of . Upstream of , there is another dramatic but less visited waterfall called High Force. I think it is much more dramatic than Aira Force, but I it not as beautiful as the main attraction so not many people venture as far as this one.

There is a path on either side of the falls, and a dramatic hump back bridge spanning the very top of the falls. You can walk down the steps to a further bridge, a magnificent viewing point to see the falls crashing over the rocks and into a clear pool.

The path continues downhill all the way to the original car park so we decided to keep going uphill, through the woods and climbed up onto Gowbarrow Fell, a simple little climb. There is a triangulation at the highest point, a great place to eat your lunch on a sunny day, and a lovely view of and Ullswater.

To make your way back down to Dockray, simply follow the wall, keeping it on your right, along the side of the fell to rejoin the farm track to the village. There is a pub called the Royal Hotel in the village, serving bar meals at lunch time and meals during the evening.

A Walk Up Mell Fell

From miles around, Mell Fell looks enticing, a mountain drawn by children with a definite starting point and end point. It’s dead easy to climb and it takes you through a variety of interesting landscapes – woodland, grassland, gnarly pines, windswept trees and an amazing view from the top.

Mell Fell is near Ullswater (between Keswick and Penrith). From Keswick take the A66 towards Penrith and after eight miles turn right (signed Troutbeck). Carry on through Troutbeck, out the other side and keep going for two and a half miles. At End turn left (signed Penruddock 3½ and Penrith 10). Drive for one mile and then park on the road, just by a track that leads left up Mell Fell.

Walk up the track and don’t make the mistake we made which was to take the first path right which had a big sign saying ‘Mell Fell’. This is pretty but steep and you will find you are making up the path as you go along.

Instead, take the second right over a stile (or through a gate). The path goes left through the gate and just follow it up the hill and to the top for some breathtaking views.

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