Dartmoor cover 954 Square Miles of space in Devon, South West England and is considered one of the UK's finest National Parks and is not only a popular tourist destination, but also used by the British Army as a firing range for the last 200 years. The area is know for it's "Tors" (Hills Topped with an OutCrops of Bedrock) and in the past we have reviewed our tour of both Yes Tor and Hillways Tor which are considered to be the tallest peaks in area at around 2,000 ft.
Dartmoor Bogs Whilst we could not possibly claim to have walked across the whole area during our trip, we did a three days trip to see some of the famous parts of this area to find out what they are really like. The Dartmoor bogs are famous for two things, Tors with their own Ten Tors Challenge where up to 5,000 people each year take part in a walk of up to 100Km and Bogs, mainly due the fact that more rain falls on this area of the National Park that anywhere else. Our walk started when we headed south from the eastern side of Dart Lake firstly through a conifer plantation and then into the presence of Laughter Hole Farm which looks a lot like it has never been updated since it was first built. The idea was that we were going to walk from Dart Lake down to the beautiful Clapper Bridge in Postbridge which is a medieval-era river-crossing made by laying huge slabs of granite over columns of smaller rock that have been stacked in the water nearly two hundred years ago. This walk is not that long and should really only take us five or six hours, but will give a great opportunity to see both the Bogs and this Neolithic area of Dartmoor that has been freckled with this kind of proof of earlier habitation. Yes Tor – Dartmoor, Devon One of the best walks in the UK right now is the walk to Yes Tor which is the second highest point of Dartmoor in the South West, UK. The highest point is measured at 619 Meters or 2,031 ft above Sea level which makes it second highest to the nearby High WillHays. One point to make right from the beginning, you need to make sure that the British Army is not using this area to shoot on when you're planning a walk as they do tend to use this area as a firing range. Yes Tor For our walk up Yes Tor we had to try it twice as the first time we arrived only to find there were terrible storms battering the area which made walking impossible. On our second try we arrived early in the morning to find dense hill fog which would make the early part of our walk quite dangerous, however we were promised that this fog would quickly burn away with the sun out meaning that we would be able to see the stunning wildness of the location . You have a number of choices on where to start your walk, however we chose to start on the Meldon Reservoirs shore side of the mountain as this was just about to bloom with golden yellowish plants and with the woods lying before us made the first part of our walk very enjoyable. With the Sun now high and the sky and the fog quickly disappearing, it looked like it was going to be a bright blue sky day which seemed perfect for our walk, but also for the group and group of kids that we saw touring about the mountain probably doing their Duke pf Edinburgh award. Once we had reached the top of Yes Tor, we quickly realised that High Will Hays had a better viewing platform as it seem to contact less Radio Masts and more importantly less walkers. Hill Will Hays feels a lot more remote with the scenery extending to the Devon coastline. The walk back down the mountain is quite easy and there are a number of sights you should be keeping a look out for before hitting one of the local bars for a well earning lunch.
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Are you in the mood for something a little risky? A walk that takes in the sights and sounds of the North of England Country side but also offers the opportunity for a decent walk up to levels around 3,000 Ft? If yes, Scafell Pike is the answer. Scafell Pike is located on the Central-West side of the Lake District National Park and is one of the best real mountain walks in the UK at present and offer the ability for climbers to climb from a number of different entrance points. For our climb, we going to spend the day walking up the North-Face of Scafell and experience what it's really like to get to the top.
Scafell North-Face Our route started above Bracken Close meaning that we had to follow the path up to Lingmell Gill and then to Hollow Stones. After about 100m the pathway starts to slants a bit back to the right side between the main Scafell Crag and the Shamrock. On top of that, the faultline of Lords Rake continues after the poised boulder. This emerges on the Scafell’s west ridge. Here, immediately below that boulder, turn up to your left and then onto the ledge way which contours towards that great rock sweep of the Central Buttress. At the very end of the ledge, turn up the movable gully of the Deep Ghyll with a gritty and steep exit onto the plateau of Scafell’s summit. Summit Eiger Another fantastic summit that is close by, is the summit of Eiger at 3,900Ft, however this is even more risky as this area is full up with boulders that easily move around and therefore can be very dangerous. So much so that early in the year, authorities of Bern tried to ban climbers from walking this route to Eiger. In the end, after much discussion, it's been decided that you can still summit Mount Eiger, however their are plenty of signs that have been put up by the National Trust, telling the people to stay away from the Lords Rake region. On the other side of the Eiger Summit there are even more large stones that have the ability to fall down given that there are a selection of old ice fields that mean these boulders are contained and easily pick up speed with devastating effects. The Stonefall has not really been a problem on the North-Side of Scafell as the age-old slants are more stable and therefore other than one occasion back in 2002 when frost comprised a 10 foot long chunk of rock to crack and whilst this has not fallen down yet, it's going to. It’s a real sharp slope, but it is not excessively so. The top of it is only a mere 553m above the mean sea level. So, easily, you can’t regard that as a serious undertaking.
So I am really baffled here with the fact that walkers are not really present in great numbers up here, so close to the Grasmere. The last time I was up on that Steel Fell, it was no exemption. It was only an idyllic day of the spring with some very little Herdwick lambs keeping very close to their mothers when they grazed in that young green fronds of bracken, in the time of the year when bracken actually looks perfectly benevolent, with absolutely no hint of that stifling monster that is to come. The weather was really warm and comfortable. And there really was not a single cloud in the whole sky. So, it was just me and those sheep and an infrequent sky-lark. After that, I just bounded up that ridge, and started singing away at the very top of my voice with the steep inclination, where the voice grew even louder as I gained more and more height. I somehow thought that I might still have some other way to go to that summit cairn. But after that, I was greeted by the magnificent view of the great north, with the dark blue of the Thirlmere below with the Skiddaw and then Blencathra sitting on either side of that in the near distance.Beyond that beautiful summit is some lonely and wild country, placed at the head of the Greenburn. Maybe it is that what puts the walkers off. On a sunny day, I would reckon that there cannot be a better sight with all the beauty around you.After that, only when I did reach the 537m high Calf Crag, I encountered other humans who went there. The first among them was an enthusiastic Australian woman, who was three days into the Wainwrights following the Coast to Coast route and simply loved it. Then there were three North Americans who actually seemed to be a little lost, but they gracefully declined my offer to help them finding the route. Leaving those back-packers on that high ground, I then dropped into the Far Easedale. I would not walk that entire length of the valley since I came through on the great Coast to Coast route myself almost 20 years ago. It had made some little yet long lasting impression on me at that time. Maybe I had been distracted by the too much weight of my backpack as I had neared the fag end of another pretty hard day’s walking, but on this particular occasion, I took the liberty of taking my time and savoring the little details: those steep ramparts of the Broadstone Head and the Ferngill Crag. These are definitely the finer aspects of those fells: the ones I had paid a little attention to back in that time when I was only in my early 20s. The Isle of Skye is a fantastic place to visit if you're looking a real outdoor adventure then you need to take a look at going to the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is commonly referred to as the "the garden of the Skye" given that forest covered mountains drop quickly and sharply down to the ocean. The Isle of Skye is not only home to some of the best walking in the UK, but also to some fantastic resturants, hotels and beaches with rocky shorelines meaning that if the weather plays it's part then you have a lot of fun.
When visiting Skye, most people expect the usual high-octane adventures that come with the Misty Isle but sometimes what we need isn’t an epic, adrenaline-filled adventure. As people come to learn after some time, factors like weather, company or even energy levels can dictate a much gentler approach to walking. This particular walk is perfect for when you’ve had time to clear steep hills and are now more interested in an easy stroll and rich outdoor experience. If you carry some luxuries in the pack you might persuade a newcomer to try the great outdoors. Our journey started late after we returned from Harris. Having spent a week there, we drove down through the south of the island in the fertile headland, commonly referred to as the Garden of Skye. After the Armadale ferry stop, we left the car and went on to meet the day as that golden hour led to a beautiful coating of honeyed light that is so unique to the western isles. As the day went on and the shadows started to lengthen and the well-defined track rose and fell, giving us a tantalizing glimpse of the sea every now and then- and even across to Knoydart. Beginners shouldn’t find this too challenging; but the descents might prove a bit too exciting what with all the large, loose rocks, so it makes sense to wear good walking boots or at least a shoe that will cover you (we saw a family in willies there on our first morning.) A short distance from there we followed the path toward Camas Daraich, and just below us a rather small settlement nestled in a valley that hosts new holiday homes, a number of ramshackle vehicles and the odd croft. Straight ahead lay the cove, but the sun was now hanging low and the weather had changed, and the shore was chilly in the shadows. Finally, crossing the stream, we turned a corner and found one of the most amazing and wildest campsites I’ve ever walked into. We had continued on over an eroded bank on one side of the bay, but by this time our thoughts were on making camp and making some hot food. Afterwards we descended onto the slippery steps of the beach. When you get to the point where the peninsula narrows and on one side of the beach on the east almost meets the rocks. We pitched on short grasses right on the salt water pools that dot the ground, but there were other options places to pitch further on as long as you’re comfortable in the rocky wonderland. Also, this camp offered the best shelter from the sea breeze and the tons of easy cool rocks make it an interesting place for kids to explore. One advantage of taking such short walks is the luxury of packing the right food and any additional material that can be of use. After the walk, the wild camp and the views, the next thing was to pick out bags and head on home. If travelling up North is not your thing, maybe you could look at a walk around Carneddau Plateau in Snowdonia or Yes Tor in Devon. Coleman Red Canyon 8 Person Tent
This is comfortable suit for camping and it’s made by Coleman. It has got 4.4 rating out of 5 based on 1,057 customer’s review. This tent is available in stock and ready to ship within one-day. Product’s Feature & Details:
Kelty Grand Mesa 2 Person Tent Review The grand mesa is an attractive backpacking tent with various features to make your camping easy, safe and comfortable. The tent is easy to set up within 5-10 minutes. Even a greenhorn can easily set up this just following the instructions. The tent is spacious enough for one to stay with his staff comfortably. There are two doors in two sides to get in or out easily. In comparison with other tents it is cheaper. Different tents may cost usually 100-200$ but it is only nearly 90$. So this will perhaps be the first choice of the budget conscious shopper. The breathability of the tent is very satisfactory. The tent is designed following the ventilation facilities. It has available capacity for two people to stay inside it comfortably. In time of camping one has to care even for an ounce. From this point of view the tent is 2-3 pounds which is lighter enough to carry in your backpack. It is a three-seasonal tents and will serve you in winter, in summer and even in rainy season. One will feel warmer in winter, will get himself protected from rain and will enjoy airy condition in summer. Inner floor of the tent is designed with pockets to keep small things and there are loops to hold lights. There are tents which have problems with floor’s strength. Many have to suffer for this. The floor of those tents may be thick but there is such experience that the floor get punctured easily and consequently one has to suffer in winter days. So as to avoid this kind of situation the Grand Mesa 2 is made with the durability to protect such danger. Though the floor of the tent is thin to look at, it is strong enough to serve you in winter days. ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 Backpacking Tent Tents are very important for any kind of camping at anywhere. To protect yourself from the sudden disruptions of nature you have to take necessary precautions against your odd time while camping. Keep it in mind that you are more likely to fall in danger if you are not well planned before your camping. So as to provide the travelers with high quality tents different kinds of tents are available now but of them I would like to suggest you the Zephyr 2. It is ideal for those warm, humid nights. And best for the time when you want to feel gentle wind in your tent. That means the four sides as well as the roof of this tent is composed entirely of mesh, allowing maximum ventilation and fresh air ingestion. It’s two-pole design serve you more head room to sit up without feeling confined. It’s roof is designed in such a way that help you not feel confined to your tent. You will feel spacious to spend your time with high breathing condition. This is a tent from ALPS Mountaineering which features strong and lightweight aircraft alloy aluminum poles and it has two doors on each side to make it easy to get in and out of the tent. Apart from these two vestibules over each door create a huge place to store extra things. On the whole comparable feeling and safe camping can be done with the Zephyr 2. ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 Backpacking Tent The most wanted features are here for the convenience of the people who want to camp in an outside place or far away from their living.If you want to spent a big portion of your spring, summer, and fall nights in the back country, you will certainly want a reliable, roomy, safe shelter like the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 Tent. By means of its sealed seams and urethane-coated fly and floor, this lightweight three-season tent keeps you and your campmate dry in March humidity and during those fast-melting September snowfalls. The Zephyr 2 sets up quickly two alloy aluminum poles and a simple clip system take to make your bed- ready brain. It’s mesh walls provide essential ventilation when your tent buddy feel a little bit warm . ALPS Mountaineering designed the fly to buckle securely to the tent and has tried to included stakes and guys for enough stability at the time of heinous storms or any other natural hazards. Hoard your mud-caked boots and waterlogged rain gear in the large entrance. And you can keep your books and headlamp in the interlock storage pocket before you are you get ready for sinking into REM circumstances. And these are all about The Zephyr 2. The tents gives you extra advantages that you can use it in three more seasons and thus you can ultimately save your cost. You do not have to buy tents again and again in case you buy this multi seasonal tent. The Zephyr 2 is all in one. Going In Style Adapter Plugs – High quality adapter plugs to keep your electronics safe
If you’re only going to one country or if you’re traveling and really want to know that your converter will work, check out Going In Style’s adapter plugs. Going In Style has an adapter for every country from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and they are a bit more heavy duty than those adapter kits with interchangeable plugs. Available in both grounded and non-grounded types, Going In Style adapter plugs adapt your electronics to fit the different shaped outlets found around the world. When purchasing a Going In Style travel plug, make sure you choose the right plug for your country of origination. Each adapter plug has a country to country specification. For example if you live in the US and want an adapter for Europe, make sure you get a US to Europe adapter instead of a Europe to US adapter. Also keep in mind that adapter plugs are different than converters. Adapter plugs won’t convert the electricity if the country you’re visiting uses a different voltage. Learn more about the difference between travel adapters and converters. The Quick & Dirty
Since Going In Style adapter plugs are great if you’re only traveling to handful of countries. If you’re heading out for a round-the-world trip you might want to take a look at the Eagle Creek Dual Wattage Converter Set so you don’t have to carry around a specific adapter for every country you’re going to visit. The backpack is the single most important gear item for your round-the-world trip. Your backpack will be your home for the next 6 months or how ever long you’ve been lucky enough to score off for travel – so you’re going to want it to be perfect. If your backpack is too small, not padded enough, or poorly designed for your tastes it can seriously put a damper on your trip.
When choosing a backpack for a RTW trip, you’re going to want to consider four things: size, weight, comfort, and design.
Here are some recommendations for great round-the-world trip bags: GoLite Odyssey 78 The GoLite Odyssey 78 gets my vote for best RTW trip bag of the year. At less than 4 pounds, it is one of the lightest bags out there. Eight pockets offer plenty of organization for your gear and padded straps and an airmesh back panel keeps things comfy and breezy. GoLite is stoked on creating environmentally sustainable products and this pack is made from 50% recycled ripstock nylon so it is easy on the conscience as it is on your back. If you like what you see with the Odyssey, but would like a smaller pack – check out the 67-liter GoLite Pinnacle. Torso Size – 15.5 – 19.5 inches Average weight – 3 lbs 2 oz/ 3 lbs 8 oz Volume – 78/98 Liters Price – $200 at REI Men’s and Women’s Number of pockets – 6 + 2 main compartments Gregory Baltoro 65 The Gregory Baltoro 65 is an updated version of the Gregory Baltoro 70. If you like a lot of pockets, you will love this pack. Eight plus pockets keep your gear well organized and easily accessible. You can get at your main compartment from the top, side, and bottom – a feature you’ll surely appreciate when you get sick to death of packing and unpacking your backpack. Only downside is the pack weighs nearly 6 pounds, which is definitely not lightweight. Torso Size – 18 – 20.5 inches Average weight – 5 lbs 10 oz Volume – 65 Liters Price – $269 at REI Number of pockets – 8 + main compartment Osprey Aether 70 The Osprey Aether gets high rankings for its good suspension system and adjustability. An IsoForm hipbelt can be custom molded to fit your hips perfectly and the shoulder harness is easy to adjust. This pack is a great choice if you’re planning on doing a lot of trekking during your trip. It is a bit heavier than others, but is extremely durable and supports heavier loads without sagging or shifting about with its stellar internal suspension system. Torso Size – 18 – 20.5 inches Average weight – 5 lbs Volume – 70 Liters Price – $259 at REI Number of pockets – 4 + main compartment REI Flash 65 The REI Flash 65 is a pretty lightweight pack with all the essentials and a not so steep price tag. The bag has a nice mix of features with plenty of pockets and lash points to secure gear to the outside of the bag along with a comfortable suspension and lots of padding on the straps. Just remember when you’re choosing a lightweight bag you may be giving up some durability since lightweight materials tend to be not as tough.
Gregory Jade 60 Love, love my Gregory Jade 50, which is also available in the 60-liter size. This women’s specific pack gets high marks for adjustability and comfort. The harness and hipbelt are designed to fit a woman’s shape and the harness is narrower than a unisex pack. Love the cush shoulder straps, the breathable back panel, hipbelt pockets, and the slim fit.
Deuter Futura Pro 42 The smallest of the bunch, the Deuter Futura Pro 42 is fabulous if you’re some place hot and humid or if you just tend to sweat a lot. Deuter’s patented Aircomfort suspension design keeps the bulk of the bag off your back so fresh air can circulate between the pack and your body. I’ve been using the Deuter Futura Pro 34 for years and can vouch for its superior breathability. At 42-liters this pack is for the uber light traveler and it has a built-in rain cover – gotta love that.
Just got back for a round-the-world trip, what pack did you use? The iPhone may just replace the Leatherman as the most valuable travel-sized multi-tool. Sure it can’t whittle some kindling wood for your campfire or open a can of soup, but it can make airline reservations, help you find a campsite, tell you which way is North, and help you keep your travel documents organized.
If you’re trying to pack light, the iPhone can cut down on the number of gadgets and dodads you bring along on your trip. There are travel organizer apps that keep all your travel documents together and guidebook and National Parks apps that cut down on your need for heavy books and maps. Only downside of relying on your iPhone while traveling is that it is pretty darn fragile. What is worse than losing your hotel confirmation documents, but watching your unprotected iPhone fly out of your pocket, smashing onto the concrete, and obliterating all your travel documents at once. I personally want a phone that I can toss around a bit, so I am not a good candidate for an iPhone. If you’re going to travel with your iPhone, a protective case is a necessity. It seems like everyone is making an iPhone case these days so you will find no shortage of options. A search on Amazon comes up with over 50,000 items, so sheesh how do you decide? First consider how rough you tend to be on electronics. How long did your last phone last? If less than a year, I would highly recommend an ultra-tough case. Cases offer everything from minimal protection to highly impact resistant, waterproof and shock-absorbent protection. Second, do you want your case to be anything more than just a case. There are cases that hold extra power and boost your phone’s GPS capabilities. Lastly, consider style and color. This can be a tough thing to consider last because I am betting you want to keep your iPhone as sleek and sexy as it looks out of the box. Unfortunately cases that protect the most tend to look bulky and less attractive. Here are some of the best iPhone cases for travel listed from minimal protection to hardcore: Speck Products Pixel Skin Case - If you have slippy fingers the Speck PixelSkin Case for iPhone may be perfect for you. The lightweight PixelSkin helps protect your iPhone from bumps and scrapes while providing a nice grip to prevent dropping. Featuring openings for all the iPhone’s ports and things, you easily access all phone features. Only downsides are lack of a screen cover and not so good of protection from significant falls. Otterbox Impact Case for iPhone - The Otterbox Impact Case for iPhone provides all access to your phone’s features while encasing it in a durable silicone skin with a shock absorbing inner core. The case is plenty grippy to protect against drops and it also comes with a self-adhering film to protect the screen and a cleaning cloth. This case adds quite a bit of protection without a whole lot of bulk. It will protect from bumps and dings, but it is not recommended for water protection. Magellan Tough Case - The Magellan Tough Case not only protects your iPhone from the elements but enhances its GPS capabilities and transfers power to your iPhone or iPod to increase the battery life of the device. Totally waterproof and shock resistant, this case is perfect for the outdoor adventurer who wants to enjoy their iPhone in the great outdoors without having to worry about damaging it from the elements. The Tough Case offers excellent protection while also offering full access to the touch screen, hard buttons, and audio jack so you can fully interact with the device. The current Magellan Tough Case is only compatible with the iPhone3G, 3GS, and iPod Touch (2nd generation). Pelican i1015 Case - The Pelican i1015 Case is designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but it also fits a laundry list of Blackberry smartphones. Although you can’t actually make calls or interact with the touch screen, the Pelican case is a safe place to store you iPhone while you’re not using it if you’re say on a river trip or beside a pool – though you can listen to tunes via the external audio jack. Pelican Cases are water-resistant, crush-proof, and dust-proof with a lifetime guarantee of excellence. I’ve been using the Pelican 1010 Micro Case for my digital camera so I can vouch for Pelican’s ultra-toughness. Too bad they don’t make a fully functional case. Otterbox iPhone Defender Case - Often described as the tank of all iPhone cases, the Otterbox iPhone Defender Case offers some hardcore protection for your iPhone. The high quality polycarbonate shell is combined with a shock-absorbent skin and a clear protective membrane over the touch screen. The case provides full access to all iPhone functions, plus you can take a photo and charge the phone with the case still on. Only downside is that the case is a bit bulky, but that is what you’re going to get with rugged protection. The case is available in yellow, black, pink, and white. Caution, the Defender looks waterproof but it is not. Harter Fell is situated in the quiet Duddon Valley. The fell is flanked by the beautiful Eskdale and Duddon Valleys. It sits on its own at the head of these valleys giving a unique panoramic view to the Southern Fells. The summit area has three rocky tors that provide a playground for those who love scrambling around on rocks. There is plenty of wildlife to be seen and a unique aerial view down to the huge roman fort of Mediobogdum on the Hardknott Pass. This is a moderate walk, short in distance but does involve a few fairly steep and loose paths at times.
The walk starts from the Birks Bridge car park. This isn't the easiest start to get too and for most people involves tackling either the Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass or a lengthy drive round the Lake District Peninsulas. This remote location makes it a peaceful and tranquil place though so it is well worth the effort. On your way home you can enjoy great food and drinks at the Newfield Inn in Seathwaite. Route Directions This walk starts at the Birks Bridge car park in the Duddon Valley. The car park is on the minor road just south of Cockley Bridge and north of Seathwaite at grid reference SD 235 995. You can get there by heading through Langdale or Little Langdale and over the Wrynose Pass or alternatively you can head round the Lake District Peninsulas on the trunk roads until you reach Duddon Bridge and head north along Smithy Lane to Ulpha and eventually Seathwaite. From the Birks Bridge car park cross the new wooden bridge then turn immediately left heading along a grassy path with the forest on your right and the River Duddon on your left. The path crosses a small stream after two hundred metres then splits as it passes an old stone wall. Take the path that ascends right into Great Wood away from the River Duddon. At the other side of Great Wood the track heads across a field to the old farm buildings at Birks. The farm here was sold off to the forestry many years ago and is now a privately owned outdoor education centre. When you reach the buildings go through the gate and turn right keeping the buildings on your left at all times. At the back of the buildings you pass through their small car park and head through a gate on a track ascending away from Birks. After less than a hundred metres the track reaches a junction with another track, here turn left and then after thirty metres turn right off the track on to a path that passes some old stone walls of a ruin. This path now leads to a boggy deforested area. The deforested area is being replanted with deciduous trees so by the time you head through here hopefully these will be well established and may have created a more established less boggy affair. The path is not at all clear at times and simply disappears into the boggy mess. Basically head towards the crags at the back of the deforested area on a fairly direct and straight forward trajectory. Eventually you will reach a more obvious path which starts a steep and loose ascent of the rocky crags. On you right as you ascend you will see the twin peaks of Buck Crag and the views behind to the Coniston Fells will start to open up. Mart Crag is rounded and then the path flattens out and passes over a vibrant area of heather and bilberry bushes. As the path crosses this area, straight ahead you will begin to see a fence ahead below the huge and isolated Maiden Crag. At the fence by Maiden Crag you can pass through a gate or stile to reach much wilder and open land. Keep ascending in a north westerly direction with Maiden Crag on your left. After ascending in a north west direction for just over half a kilometre you will reach the summit of Harter Fell. You can either head left to round an easy ascent or go to the right behind the summit and take one of a few fun scrambling routes to reach the summit. The summit of Harter Fell has a lovely stone trig pillar and three rocky tors. To bag the highest tor which is the highest point of the mountain requires a tricky scramble. Harter Fell sits in a perfect position flanked on each side by two of the Lakes quietest valleys, the valleys provide impressive views, especially down to Eskdale and the Roman Fort of Mediobogdum on the Hardknott Pass. There are also an impressive panorama to the back of the Coniston Fells and a unique panoramic view of the Scafell Fells. There are also views seaward to the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man on a clear day and to the south the lesser trodden Black Combe and the Dunnerdale Fells with the pointy Stickle Pike prominent. After enjoying one of the best viewpoints in the Lake District trace your footsteps back the way you came and head south east from the summit area on the same path and after half a kilometre you will be back at the fence with stile and gate by Maiden Castle. Head back through the gate or over the stile and walk across the heather and bilberry area to reach the steep descent round Mart Crag back to the deforested area. The descent here is very loose and rocky so take care. Head across the deforested area to reach the ruins above Birks then head back down the track to Birks and pass through its gates to reach the path crossing the fields to the left of Birks to Great Wood. Look out for birds while passing through Great Wood, I have seen Buzzards and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers here before now. Follow the path back to Birks Bridge where you can stand on the bridge and spot many Trout and Salmon jumping at the end of a summers day. Large Salmon make their way up here during the spawning months from the Duddon Estuary. There is no better way to end this walk than a visit to the Newfield Inn in Seathwaite, it is a very friendly and cosy pub with excellent food and drink and a place to stay if you don't feel like rushing home from this stunning and peaceful part of the world. |
AuthorThe UK Walks are some of the best walks across the UK that any one can do with limited resources. You dont need to have specailist equipment or even be very fit. You must, however, want to be outside in the countryside. |