Latterbarrow

For such a low fell (244m) this summit has views out of all proportion with the effort required to reach it, and it carries a most monumental cairn. Directions: Just SE of Hawkshead (B5285) take the road signed to Wray/Wray Castle. After a mile, just after the turning for LA22 0JG, find the footpath on […]

Blencathra

Distance: 4.5miles/7km Ascent: 773 metres Start: Comb Beck bridge, NE of Scales Farm, CA12 4SY Info: wildrunning.net/2111 Directions: Take the path up Comb Beck into Mousthwaite Comb, curving R uphill to the path junction on the col at NY 346278. Turn L and follow the path, staying R above the Glenderamackin River to Scales Beck. […]

Fairfield Horseshoe

Distance: 11miles/17.5km Ascent: 1023metres Start: Rydal Road car park, LA22 9AN Info: wildrunning.net/2106 Directions: Ambleside, turn R onto a footpath shortly after crossing Scandale Bridge. Head alongside Scandale Beck before bearing L away from the beck on a good path across Rydal Park and past Rydal Hall. Turn R, passing Hart Head Farm and climbing […]

Langdale Pikes

Distance: 6miles/9.5km Ascent: 1087m Start: Sticklebarn car park, LA22 9JU Info: wildrunning.net/2103 Directions: Follow the path around the back of the pub and up the Stickle Ghyll valley to a bridge over the new hydroelectric dam. Cross and turn L uphill to the south-east corner of Stickle Tarn. Follow the path around to the R […]

Eskdale

Distance: 5miles/7.5km Ascent: 317 metres Start Info: Dalegarth Station, CA19 1TF Info: wildrunning.net/2100 Directions: Head along the road towards Boot and turn R opposite the pub down a track, past Eskview Farm and the church to the River Esk. Cross and turn L following the riverside path up the valley and slightly south to Low […]

Coniston Fells

Distance: 8.5miles/13.5km Ascent: 1105 metres Start Info: Sun Hotel, Coniston LA21 8HQ Info: wildrunning.net/2102 Directions: Set off on the footpath beside the pub to the bridge over Church Beck. Don’t cross but stay on the path following the beck, which then bears to the L west to the path junction with the Walna Scar route […]

Kailpot Crag, Ullswater

A high, gnarly crag plummets into deep water. Great for jumps and snorkelling. Wood behind, beach alongside. Directions: Take the ferry to Howtown and follow the shore path a mile SW. Or take Howtown turning from Pooley Bridge, N of Ullswater, and follow it 4 miles to Howtown pier (tricky parking) or Sandwick. You’ll pass […]

Overbeck Bridge, Wastwater

England’s deepest lake with white, quartz beaches and clear water. Road access all along the NW shore. Dramatic mountain backdrop. Good pub and NT campsite. Directions: Signed Santon Bridge / Wasdale from the A595 W coast road between Barrow and Whitehaven. Or from Ambleside and Eskdale via the dramatic Hardknott Pass. 21⁄2 miles on from […]

Hodge Close/Parrock Ruins

An exciting flooded quarry in a deep, seemingly inaccessible amphitheatre, reached by an extraordinary descent into a jungle quarry. Truly awe-inspiring as the waterfall cascades down over the double caves. If the sky is blue, the water turns a deep indigo mauve. It’s popular with divers, and you can get to the water’s edge where […]

Scarness Bay, Bassenthwaite Lake

This is the only part of the lake shore with formal public-footpath access. Lakeland’s north-western fells can be seen on the far shore and it’s perfect for sunsets, although you can hear the A66 opposite. The easiest swim is the pebble beach at Scarness landing stage. There’s an interesting boulder-lined beach after the boardwalk; head […]