Good work Sanny, and thanks for sharing - Middle Fell added to my list. I don't know anything in the Western Lakes so I've got no intel to pass on unfortunately.
Re the western fells
It was @fergal who wrote about the north spur off of Caw Fell into Ennerdale being 600m of loveliness. I definitely want to try that, whether climbing up from the south or via Black Sail Pass to make it into a nice loop.
Cheers
Sanny
Not sure where to go next. Have a hankering for Scafell via Slight Side then down Green How before carrying up Illgill Head and heading south west along the ridge to Whin Rigg then returning via Miterdale. Green How is the only bit I really know.
Gowbarrow Fell, Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell are appealing as a join the dots exploratory ride in the late autumn too. I also want to do High Street again when it is hard frozen. Decisions. Decisions.
@Sanny , Cairngorms plans have taken a turn a little . So am up to Glentress for something differnt with a stop over in the Lakes on the way back down and an early play from Keswick in the morning Up Skiddaw all being well and from there I cannot say 😉
Weekend is upon us and for the life of me I couldnt find this thread.
Ive a Saturday pass so im thinking either the Bash or as ive never ridden near Place fell does this route sound worth it .
Hartsop and over to Angle tarn to Boredale house and over Placefell and towards the far end of Ullswater then the lake shore path back ?
Angle Tarn is lovely. One of my favourite ride memories this year. Not ridden Place Fell yet but it is on the list of ones to do. I love the Lake Shore path. Very up and down but most enjoyable. I assume you are thinking up Hartsop to just below the Knott then heading to Angle Tarn? I did that in June but did a full loop via Kidsty Pike and back via Selside Pike and Harter Fell. That was a giggle.
My good friend Pete rates Beda Fell south to north. Not tried it yet either but one to consider. Not ridden Boredale Hause in years. One of my earliest Lakes rides.
Hope this helps?
Cheers
Sanny
@stevedoc - probs too late for you but I wouldn't highly recommend routes between Place Fell and eastern shore of Ullswater. The situation is grand but the routes on the ground not hugely inspiring and fairly boggy IME. Boredale Hause to Place Fell straightforward motorway and Ullswater shoreline usually a joy so maybe worth a try if you fancy it. Either way joining the two is not too far. I'd be tempted by Sanny's Beda Fell alternative if in the area - not done this but have both spied it from the surroundings and studied the map I think it might be worth a try.
I ended up with the Bash to be fair with a hike a bike up Maiden moor . really quiet as I guess most were in town shopping .. lets leave them to that !
I has a thought about it and im sure last time I went off High st down towards Barton hill it was a complete bogfest I assumed over Place fell maybe that way this time of year so binned it off until summer.
Thread update time. A snow one for a welcome change.
Try that again. With the massive dump of snow last month, myself, Kev from Ghyllside and his mate James broke out the fat bikes for a planned winter traverse of High Street. Blue skies, minus seven in the Ullswater Valley and not too much wind should have made for perfect conditions. We had planned to he’d up on the bridleway via Troutbeck Park but quickly realised the combination of big sections of sheet ice and massive infills of drifting snow were a recipe for pain. We had left Kev’s van at Pooley Bridge so opted to head up Garburn and take it from there. The going was good but slow with significant drifting. I had a notion that we could drop down and ascend Nan Bield but judging by the level of blown snow, that was a non starter thus we went for route one via Ill Bell and Froswick. I would like to tell you what the trails on the ground were like but they were plastered in snow that was easily several feet deep in places. I’ve crossed the paths in warmer conditions previously and although involving some hike a bike, remembered them being good fun. However, How they have weathered in the intervening period, I cannot tell you. It was basically pick a line through the snow and just go for it.
To add to the fun, the sole on Kev’s shoe fell off as did the pedal on the test Surly Moonlander I lent him for the ride. As such, we did not reach Thornthwaite Beacon until two in the afternoon. Looking towards High Street, the snow was too thick to make for rapid riding progress thus we beat a retreat down the bridleway back to Troutbeck. As a descent, it was a riot. Deep snow and fat bikes make for massive grins. Not the ride we had planned but a cracker nonetheless.
Cheers
Sanny
Next update. A glorious February day around Ambleside. My latest adventure saw me and my good chum Dave the Bastard hit the fells around Ambleside on another perfect blue sky day. We started with Loughrigg. Straight up the steep tarmac bridleway then broke off towards the summit on one of the many tracks that litter the fell. For a small top, the views are bob on and the descent we found down to the caves was a real giggle with some lovely switchbacks to keep us on our toes.
From there, we headed up Jenkin’s Crag - still a technical climbing challenge - and just before the farm, followed the track up Hundreds Road to join the Nanny Lane path. As expected, a bit of hike a bike followed over some stone pitched tracks before reaching the summit in the com -any of all manner of cheerful and chatty walkers. For me, the best decent is west off the top but we headed back down Nanny lane. The first section had some lovely sections of tech but the latter section was a wide farm track. Not exciting but the scenery was lovely.
From there, we headed across and up Garburn Pass for a new to me couple of fells - Sallows and Sour Howes. The short push up from the saddle is over in a few minutes and is definitely worth the effort. There are clear, albeit wet, double track trails to follow from Sallows to Sour Howes. We stayed on the eastern side of the wall for too long so had to clamber over it at one point. On a dry or hard frozen winter’s day, it would be tremendous. The view in every direction was mightily impressive. The descent down to rejoin Garburn Pass via Backstone Barrow was steep, grassy and a bit slippery but it was also terrific fun. One to return to for sure.
So @stevedoc @fergal @mark88 @thegeneralist @justinbieber @lowey
What adventures in the Lakes do you have to report then?
Cheers
Sanny
Nice one Sanny, will hopefully be posting more adventures soon!
Not lot to report of late . I low level play around the Langdales and Kentmere over the last few weeks . I did do the Bash Saturday over Walla and hiked up High Spy around the other side and tried my hand at the steps above Grange off that side of Cat Bell. I failed on the switchbacks at the top as I was on the Evergiven Megatower .. things longer than the Threlkeld trail !
Not been riding properly in the lakes for ages Sanny. Retiring soon so hope to remedy that.
While I am on, has anyone ridden any of the Outlying Fells? I have been poring over the book and there seems to be some really interesting options to explore. The likes of Whitbarrow, Black Combe and the stuff in the Far Eastern fells intrigue me. Not super high in general but looks like you could link up some for a bit of XC exploration in areas that you would perhaps normally bypass?
Cheers
Sanny
Whitbarrow is superb. You can easily make a day out of criss crossing the various tracks over it.
What adventures in the Lakes do you have to report then?
Well, this weekend I was supposed to be in the lakes with family, but I have COVID instead.
Does that count?
@Sanny Never done it but apparently the fp descent off whitecoombe is excellent, the long loop around the base of blackcooombe and up the west side is shite. Pointless heathery slog. The N-S out and back from whitbeck church is 45 mins of suffering for 6 mins of whoop whoop, quite enjoy it on a summer's evening before the pub.
@thestabiliser Thanks for the local advice.
@lowey That is great to read. I saw pics of it in the Rough Stuff Fellowship book and thought that it looked fun. As always, I ask and you always answer. Is there any part of the Lakes you don’t know?
@stevedoc. Are those the stone pitch steps down the bridleway?
@thegeneralist Get well soon!
Any advice on Gowbarrow Fell? Looks like I could make it into a fun loop with Little Mell Fell and Great Mell Fell thrown into the mix.
What about Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass? Quite fancy riding up the Struggle to try it.
Has anyone done all or parts of Lingmoor Fell from Elterwater, Holme Fell and Black Fell? Reckon there is potential for an easier lower fell riding loop in there.
I should add Illgill Fell and Whin Rigg above Ullswater. That look like an interesting ridge ride. I want to combine it with Scafell to make a bigger day out loop in the Spring.
This thread has been an absolute gem for me. It has encouraged me to explore and ride parts of the Lakes that I had not properly explored before.
Whicham not whitbeck
What about Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass? Quite fancy riding up the Struggle to try it.
Ooh. I can play again.,. Did that a few years back with golfchick and Dave. Despite the free lift to 1500ft ( we picked the one van up again on the drive south at the end of the day) it was a bit meh. The HaB up was short but damn steep and we descended down the ridge to Ambleside. Duno really... it was slightly damp and very grassy, nothing techie and interesting, but equally not able to just let go and speed.
Much preferred Fairfield, which we did in the afternoon. But enough has been said about Fairfield on these pages 😉
I'm constantly trying to work out how to best use that 1500ft Kirkstone elevation to best effect, but haven't yet succeeded. I'm vaguely thinking of heading east next time onto High Street etc, then south to Garburn
I'm not sure how to post pics on this version of the forum, but I'll give it a go....
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ihAySFfDFHheARxG9
Whitbarrow summit....
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NEK71Z7vZLfA9MZw9
Brilliant bit of bedrock trail just at the foot of Whitbarrow.
I should add Illgill Fell and Whin Rigg above Ullswater.
I'm thinking you mean above Was****er ? The ridgeline is brilliant from north to south... steep carry up Illgill from the Burnmore corpse track, but the long descent over Whin Rigg skirting to the top of the escarpment is superb.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/421ZHCvUjXiQweyFA
Thats taken from Whin Rigg looking back up to Illgill Head.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tF1pUeQZqgo7wiNK7
Lingmoor is great. The popular route up from Elterwater, over the gate and down to Little Langdale scratches the surface, but the full traverse is interesting too, but a long carry from Side Pike. There is a great descent along this path....
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ATBWMHLDa8PHffZK6
Down to Blea Tarn House. Path is to your immediate left on the pic.
Superb descent from Black Crag down through Pullscar plantation that has the advantage of finishing very near the Drunken Duck. Lovely riding around those fells.
Hopefully the above will work... if not... well i cant be arsed trying again. Suffice to say that there is literally miles of tracks and peaks to be discovered and ridden in all parts of Cumbria. Its all good and I do miss it. My new home soon will be Eryri, so spending the next few years exploring there... but the lakes will always have a special hold over me.
Sanny Tounge gill up from almost Rosthwaite to High Spy and back down via Hause gate from CatBell
That is superb local knowledge. I cannot wait to explore those trails. Look like gems hidden in plain sight and yes I did mean Was****er. Sorry!
Sounds like I need a frozen day or a hard pack dry summer day for Red Screes then.
I looked at Tongue Gill on my first ride of Spring in 2023 when I had a big day out on Skiddaw taking in all the summits including Dodd. I got to the Co-op in Keswick at tea time and with the clocks having just gone forward, I ended up doing Castle Crag from Seatoller. I looked up the valley to the climbing hut and wondered if it would go as a descent. What do you reckon? Worth a punt?
Any experience of Hartsop above How or Little Hart Crag dropping off to the north. Part of me fancies a crack at Hartsop Dodd in that iconic fell, worth a punt despite looking stupidly steep, way. Has anyone tried any of them? I rode the footpath that’s drops down Kirkstone on the west side of the road a number of years ago when doing Helvellyn one December. It made for a nice alternative to the road.
Since I am asking, Grey Crag above Hayswater starting at Thornthwaite Beacon. Any takers? I love how it goes into the slightly rude pun sounding Pasture Bottom. The contour lines look rather appealing.
Sanny Tounge gill up from almost Rosthwaite to High Spy and back down via Hause gate from CatBell
I was thinking of descending tongue gill today, so that's a coincidence! I've not done it in ages. It probably makes for a great carry up onto the tops, might remember that for the future. We usually climb up past the waterfalls on the other side to dalehead tarn and then up high spy.
I am guessing it goes then?
It's been a while since I've ridden it, but from memory it goes well, very technical in places. There's a set of steps with a shear drop on one side and a wall on the other, it's tight to avoid bar clash but not fall off.
I didn't make it today, went up scar crags above causey pike, then outerside and stile end. Was tempted with barrow, but it was very busy out in the lakes today.
Surprisingly warm today,
@Nab As I was carrying up the thought crossed my mind to turn back round and have a go )
Tongue Gill (or Rigg Head) works as an entension to the bash up onto High Spy and down Maiden moor, buts its a long brutal carry. Descent wise its a cracker, albeit at my upper tech level. Certainly one which every lakes rider should have a go at in thier career...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FWsXhvQ6yUSEsxkX7
Pic from the top of the staircase looking down it.... the staircase bit is not one you want to get wrong to be honest.
Grey Crag above Hayswater starting at Thornthwaite Beacon. Any takers? I love how it goes into the slightly rude pun sounding Pasture Bottom.
I asked about this one earlier in the thread. I don't think anyone said they'd done it. I've done it on foot and from memory, it would be very steep and loose, but not impossible.
Off the front of Gray Crag would be a fun option.
So another lovely day, another explore of the Wainwright Fells. Parking on the shore of Ullswater after a stop at Tim Horton’s in Penrith for breakfast, we took the backroad climb on road up to the Hause. Not a part I am really familiar with but the scenery on the back road was lovely. First up was Little Mell Fell. It is a short but steep carry up on grass track that takes no time at all. The views from the top are fantastic for such a rapid ascent. We’re headed off west following sheep tracks. We ended up on a wide doubletrack down the the road although there is an option to stay above the gorse and head north west to come out near Nab End. A simple grassy descent that goes on for longer than you would expect and much better than doing an out and back.
Next up was Great Mell Fell. This starts on a tree lined land before turning north for a carry up on initially grassy open fell before hitting the forest. There is no doubt where the prevailing wind comes from judging by the bent over trees. Clearing the woods, the track is easy to follow but quite boggy in places. As with Little Mell Fell, the views are tremendous. The descent back down is a proper giggle with a nice swooping open section on hard packed track. It looks like there is another option off through the trees by heading more easterly. Not a big fella but very pleasing and would be great for a short blast on a summer’s evening.
Fell three was Gowbarrow Fell. We had planned to do the footpath that is part of the Ullswater Way beneath Priest’s Crag but the old quarry track at the Hause looked promising and it took us almost the entire way to the Shooting Lodge with only a very short carry through clear fell. The forest work has rendered it a bit of a monoculture desert but it was an efficient means to an end. I would be tempted to stick to our original plan next time as I think it would be more picturesque.
The ride and push up to Gowbarrow Fell summit took no time at all. It is boggy in sections but there are bags of rock indicating that the boggy bits are about to be stone pitched. To be fair, they will probably improve things. The summit is another 360 degree view classic. We met a young mountain biker with a puncture who declined our offer of help which was a shame as I am sure walking down was no fun.
The descent to Aira Force is, quite simply, a joy. It starts off a little bit disjointed because of the boggy sections but very quickly transforms into a good three and a half kilometres of bench cut and at times properly exposed joy. Falling left at some points could have potentially fatal consequences so not one for those of a nervous disposition. I have to admit that I was so focused on enjoying the trail that the exposure didn’t bother me while Dave was having pedal issues and took a sensible approach on the more exposed sections. It is a popular trail so I would say leave it for a summer’s evening when it is quiet and you can have a clear run at it. All the walkers we met were lovely. Amazing how stopping for a chat does wonders for trail harmony. One lady was a little bit grumpy when I stopped for her and said it was a footpath and asked why she had to step aside. I pointed out with a big smile that I had stopped for her and her companions to get past which seemed to completely take the wind out of her sails. To be fair, she changed her tune pretty quickly. Politeness always wins!
The final section is rocky but a proper hoot. We missed them track back above Lyulph’s Tower which would potentially extend the descent by the best part of another kilometre. One to return to.
With it still sunny and dry, we hot footed it to Glenridding where we won car park bingo as a kind chap gave us his ticket. What a total legend! £8.50 saved!
Soooooooo the afternoon session. Glenridding Dodd was calling us and we chose to answer. Ascending via Greensside Road, it is a carry and push all the way to the summit. There has been some stone pitched meaning work down by the cottages while the rest of the trail up remains untouched. Cresting the saddle by the dry stone wall, the final section of the ascent is less hard going. The fell is one you need to work for. The top is curiously muddy given that it occupies a position that is exposed to the prevailing wind. Gorgeous views though and a descent back down would be a steep plummet over in only a few minutes.
However, we had bigger fish to fry and opted to carry up Sheffield Pike via Heron Crag. This is a carry for the entire way until you reach the final summit levelling. I wanted to scope out the trail as a possible descent and while lots of sections would go, I think it would be a bit of an exercise in frustration as there are a few bits you would need to clamber down. @justinbieber ‘s pal Bezza reckons I am wrong in this but for me, it is a thanks but no thanks. I will be interested to hear how they get on when they ride it. It didn’t have me planning a return trip which is pretty unusual. After chatting with a couple of walkers and their cool little dog Pippi, we headed west to the saddle where Seldom Seen starts. Again, quite a lot of peaty slop to make our way round and through to get there although at least we had gravity on our side.
This was my first go on Seldom Seen and I loved it. There is a bit of exposure at the start and some potentially slippery stone pitching but for me, it flowed really nicely. There was nothing that gave me reason to have to stop other than for taking photos. It is a lovely bit of trail. The combination of scenery, flow and the rockier stuff toward the bottom with a bit of riding through mature woodland thrown in for good measure put it on my must do again list. I can see why folk enjoy it. The smart move would be to ride up Keppel Cove and drop down onto it via the top section of Sticks Pass.
All in all, another great day out in the Lakes.
@lowey @mark88 @fergal @the generalist @stevedoc @neb @TomB @fergal @justinbieber
Is there a trail down from the Seldom Seen saddle on the other side of the valley via the quarries, Scot Crag, Taylor Ford and Watermillock Common. I can see it on the map so was wondering if it exists on the ground?
Cheers
Sanny
Looking at this. Anyone ridden it?
http://sharkeysdream.co.uk/PAGES/WALKS/20180519.html
Appears here too and it looks right up my street. Looks like I may have to explore it!
Yeah, I’ve done that trail - contours along nicely then eventually makes its way down to the road near aira force which you can cross to head up gowbarrow from the west
Another banging weekend, another Wainwright’s adventure. With an amazing forecast for Sunday, it was a pre dawn start for me as I jumped in the car at 5.20 am aka at the crack of a sparrow’s fart. An easy drive down got me to Glenridding and riding before 8am with a trip to Tim Horton’s squeezed in. My trip up the western Ullswater fells the previous week whet my appetite so I decided to explore some new ones to me. Climbing up to Hayeswater, I was surprised by just how washed out the steep track had gotten over the winter. It felt far looser than when I last rode it last June. The bridge is still down but and easy crossing yesterday as it has been so dry. A push up towards the Knott saw me join the track down to Angle Tarn. Met a guy and his dog who had camped out overnight and were heading back to Kentmere. Unsurprisingly, he said quite a few had camped out overnight at the Tarn. It is a real honeypot.
The descent down is lovely with a nice section of exposed bedrock to pick your way through. Spying a rising grassy trod just above the tarn, I took that to get to the summit of Angle Tarn Pikes. After hitting the eastern top, I mooched across to the western crag summit proper. Looking down to the trail from Angle Tarn, I could have saved time and carried up for about five minutes to get to the top. Doh! Looking north, Beda fell was calling. It looked further than it was. The recent dry spell made for a thoroughly enjoyable out and back to the summit. The trail only has one steep but short rocky section and the rest is a very enjoyable spin on grass trail and singletrack. I met quite a few walkers who were all in fine spirits while at the summit, I met a staffie and a retriever who clearly thought my salty sweaty face was designed for being licked. I could see the trail snaking down past the cairn and was very tempted to ride it but Place Fell was calling. The trail was just as enjoyable in reverse with only a short push up Bedafell Knott to join the bridleway down to the Hause. That was a bit of an unexpected gem. It gets a bit vague towards the levelling but the top section was a realm pleasure.
More to come…..
So Place Fell
I was not sure what to expect as @bajsyckel had advised it was a bit boggy and dull in response to @stevedoc asking about it.
Heading up the steep initial pull on the motorway path, I was glad of the test e bike as it despatched it with ease. At the left hand switchback, I got chatting to a regular forum lurker and his missus. He was also of the opinion that High Street is a geographical oddity that seems to climb for almost its’ entire length. I cannot disagree. At the switchback, I got off to push and carry - initially on well placed stone step staircase then a brief clamber up a gully. In my head, I still had a long ascent remaining but at the crest, I realised that I had reached the summit. What a win! The top has a proper trig point and affords excellent views in every direction.
https://www.sota.org.uk I saw an amateur radio chap who had set up near the top doing this. Never heard of it but thought it was really cool. A procession of folk came and went as I inhaled my Tuna Sweetcorn sandwich. It was nice to have a break of a few minutes and reflect on the many skylarks I had heard thus far on the ride. In the distance, the trail snakes really clearly as far as the eye can see. The initial section is a little rocky but soon becomes hard packed grassy trail and singletrack. The expected bogginess did not appear. Reaching the sheepfold just below High Dodd, I branched right to follow what turned into a fantastic float section of singletrack down to the valley. Pure joy. I chatted with a couple of walkers who were sitting beside the trail eating their lunch. He was a biker and asked me if I was heading back along Ullswater, commenting that it is always harder than you remember and occasionally catches you out. Skirting along the wall, I dropped onto the Singletrack road before taking the bridleway along Howegreen Beck. A quick stop at the church saw me taking the footpath up to Nettlehowe Crag. This starts steep so is a carry but eases further up. I was sweating for Scotland as I carried up. Reaching a gate in the drystone wall, I cut right for a steep carry onto the summit of Steel Knotts. I had contemplated an ascent from the north but it looked pretty steep and when I passed it later, I made the right call. The descent retracing my steps was lovely although I had to carry down the steep section. Next time, I would bear left before it to rejoin the track higher up. Again another lovely descent which I extended to drop me right at the church at The Coombs. This is a lovely spot and felt particularly pleasant in the warming spring sunshine. Just gone three and wanting to get back to the car for half four as I had a comedy gig in Glasgow to go to, I charged up Hallin Fell in jig time. It is a tiny hill and was up in down in about twenty minutes, if that. It is small but the views are lovely and the descent open grassy goodness.
I returned along the Ullswater shore and it was as good as I remembered it although there seems to be a bit more stone pitching and erosion than previous visits. Still terrific fun though.
All in all, another great day out.
So @Neb @lowey @justinbieber @mark88 @thegeneralist @fergal @scuttler @mrlinderley @thenorthwind @munrobiker @neilthewheel
Any adventures to report or suggestions of where to explore next?
Cheers
Sanny
Hi Sanny, sorry I haven’t contributed for ages but I am always glad to see your posts and get some vicarious adventures .
The good news is…me and Mrs Wheel have moved to Penrith! Still settling in and trying to get the new place into shape but already exploring the area by bike and on foot. Interesting to read about your visits to the various-sized Mell Fells.as my local road rides are tending in that direction and I fancy a poke around on the mtb. Where’s a good spot to access it?
The other development is I turn 60 next week and therefore have to join CTC and give up mountain biking 😆
I can see Loadpot and Arthur’s Pike from our living room window so my suggestion for you would be those but you probably bagged them ages ago?
Hi Sanny, sorry I haven’t contributed for ages but I am always glad to see your posts and get some vicarious adventures .
The good news is…me and Mrs Wheel have moved to Penrith! Still settling in and trying to get the new place into shape but already exploring the area by bike and on foot. Interesting to read about your visits to the various-sized Mell Fells.as my local road rides are tending in that direction and I fancy a poke around on the mtb. Where’s a good spot to access it?
The other development is I turn 60 next week and therefore have to join CTC and give up mountain biking 😆
I can see Loadpot and Arthur’s Pike from our living room window so my suggestion for you would be those but you probably bagged them ages ago?
Totally agree that Place Fell is a great viewpoint and very easily gained (short scramble excepted). But down to the soggy saddle immediately S of High Dodd definitely counts as soggy in my book. Definitely. You just caught the end of a good dry spell by the sounds of things, or I've always been unlucky, or have a terrible memory 😉 . You then went NE that brings you out to the N of Sleet Fell then before picking up the Ullswater shore? That's definitely better than following Scalehow Beck down IMO. Sounds like you had a good day for it all so pleased you weren't put off.