Fell top cafe on Latrigg

Latrigg is a lovely little family friendly fell and it is easily accessible from most of our self catering Lake District cottages in the area. The great thing about Latrigg is that you can easily walk to the top in less than an hour.

We decided we needed to work for our bacon sandwiches and took the steep path that starts on Spooney Green Lane. The path starts steadily from an area of Keswick known as Briar Rigg, crossing a bridge over the A66. You will come to a gate where you will often see hens strutting around. You can buy their free range eggs at the house on the left just before the gate.

After the gate the climb begins in earnest and rises sharply for the next quarter of a mile. You are however rewarded with lovely views over the vale of Keswick between Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite.

As the steep sections levels off, the views really start to open out all around. The woods on the lower Latrigg slopes have recently been felled and this has revealed a magnificent view that has not been seen for years.

There are two choices of route to the top at the end of the felled wood. We continued to the small carpark on Gale Road to stay out of the biting wind. From the car park there is a small climb to join the main path to the top. The beauty of going this way is that you stay out of the wind and although you have turned your back on the view, when the Coledale fells finally appear over the crest of the hill, they look even more splendid than they did at the start of the walk.

After a cup of tea and a few photos, we made our way down the back of Latrigg towards Threlkeld. The fellside eventually meets with a road that leads down to the old railway line from where there is a straightforward walk back to Keswick.

Walking at night in the Lake District

Why not try something different and head out after dark. The Lakeland fells take on a whole different character once the sun has set and look utterly spellbinding in moonlight.

Choose a fell you are familiar with and one that does not have sheer edges you can walk off! Latrigg, Barrow, Binsey and Dodd are excellent starter hills and easily accessible from our Bassenthwaite and Keswick Cottages.

With the right conditions you could even attempt Skiddaw or the smooth western flanks of Helvellyn, both of which have summit shelters to enjoy a hot drink in!

For a moonlit walk you will need your usual hill walking kit plus extra warm layers, a hot flask and some yummy chocolate. A map, compass and first aid kit are essential as is your head torch and spare batteries. On a clear night you should be able to walk with the light of the moon - however it is imperative to still take a head torch for emergencies or if the weather changes. Use the red light function for map reading or anything else that requires extra light. This will not affect your night vision when you start walking again.

Familiarise yourself with the route in daylight and make a note of any key features to be aware of. Leave a route plan with someone responsible and, where possible, notify the local mountain rescue team of your plans. It is not uncommon for well meaning folk to report lights on the fells leading to the rescue teams being scrambled, only to find the lights belong to people who don’t need rescuing!

Glenderaterra Valley Walk

This is a lovely walk that takes in a hidden valley and some stunning craggy scenery, covering about 10 miles. It is perfect for guests at our Lake District cottages in Threlkeld or Keswick. The inclines are all very gentle and gradual, the miles just fly by on this walk!

The best place to start from is Threlkeld, where you can decide whether to walk clockwise or anticlockwise. It is also possible to walk from Keswick, adding an extra couple of flat miles to your route.

Start by heading along the railway line until you reach the halfway hut, where you will find a magnificent view of Blencathra, and a gate, signposted for Latrigg. Turn left to walk uphill until you reach the gate onto Latrigg (signed Skiddaw 4 miles). You can choose to walk to the summit for fine views over Keswick and Derwentwater or keep to your right and follow the lower track.

On reaching the Latrigg carpark, bear to your right and follow the path along the wall, as if to walk up Skiddaw. When the path forks, follow it to the right and down hill slightly, reaching a bend where water cascades across the path. Now it is just a simple case of walking uphill and turning along the side of Lonscale Fell and into the Glenderaterra Valley.

As you cross through the final gate, the path narrows and crosses several natural rock steps. If you are walking with children, be warned that the path has a very steep drop to the valley floor.

Along this scenic terrace you can see your return route on the opposite side of the valley beneath Blease Fell, the western extension of Blencathra. All that is needed is to walk along the sides of Lonscale Fell until the path forks right. Cross the valley and return along the other side, on a wider path where you can take in the glorious view of Lonscale Fell.

Follow the path to its end where you will find yourself at the Blencathra Centre. From here, it is just a simple stroll down the road into Threlkeld. The final part of the walk passes one of our Lake District cottages, Blencathra Cottage, and then continues into the village where you can find refreshments at The Horse and Farrier or The Salutation Inn.

A Walk from Whinlatter

This is a great walk from Keswick going through forests to Broom Fell and it is perfect for groups of mixed abilities. The forest tracks go gently uphill and the entire walk is no more than 5 miles.

Set out on the forest track, crossing Aitkin Beck and work your way gently uphill into the Darling How plantation. Soon you will be on the edge of the forest above the tree line.

Leave the shelter of the wood and you will find a pile of slates balanced precariously, perfect for crossing the fence. Now it is just a little further uphill following a path in the grass to the top of Broom Fell. There is a small stone shelter for lunch.

Carry on a short distance to Lord’s Seat. You can then make uour way back along the forest tracks from Lord's Seat. On the way home you will find the Whinlatter visitor centre which has a lovely cafe serving amazing homemade cake.

A favourite walk up Walla Crag

Walla Crag is not very big, and it doesn't take more than an hour to walk to the top and back.

My favourite way up Walla Crag is via Cat Gill, a slightly longer walk of around 5 miles. To get there you need to walk alongside the lake towards Friars Crag and carry on skirting the edge of the lake till you reach Calfclose Bay. At this point cross the road into the Great wood and bear right through the carpark. Carry on through the wood till you reach a narrow wooden bridge. Turn left up hill in front of the bridge to walk alongside Cat Gill, a narrow wooded gill. This is a steep but beautiful climb and you reach the top in no time at all.

At the top of the falls, follow the path to the left. Don't forget to pause and take in the snapshot view of the lake between the trees. It doesn't really matter which side of the wall you walk on, but the path on the left of the wall takes you directly to the top of Walla Crag. This is one of the finest viewpoints for the least amount of effort. It is only 379 metres high but the views go on for miles and miles.

Now it is a simple walk downhill back to Keswick. Leave the summit and carry on in the direction of Keswick, keeping the lake to your left. Walk down to Rakefoot and through Springs Wood. I like to do this as a circular walk, not least so I can call into Annie's Pantry, the cafe on Springs Farm, home to three of our self catering Lake District Cottages.

www.sallyscottages.co.uk

Sally’s Cottages 7 St John’s Street Keswick Cumbria CA12 5AP Tel: 01768 780 571 Email: [email protected]