This turned out to be our last walk in the Lakes this week, the weather on the Thursday turned to heavy rain and Friday we were leaving. Still this is a fine ending to our week of walks. As many know this is the smallest of the Wainwrights, standing under 300metres it would normally be ignored, but the great man saw something in it and it was included. It is a very popular fell with starting points in Rosthwaite and Grange, making it one of the most trodden of the 214 (Catbells and Helvellyn would vie for that for me!!). The views from the top along Derwent Water are brilliant and are a surprise on such a fell of such short stature. A must for anyone who loves walking in these parts.
Start – Rosthwaite
Route – Cumbria Way – Lingy Bank – Castle Crag – River Derwent – Cumbria Way – Rosthwaite
Distance – 3 miles Start time – 11am Time taken – 2 1/2hrs Highest Point – Castle Crag 290m
Weather – Bit of sunshine, lots of cloud, very warm
Starting out along the Cumbrian Way, Castle Crag is over the wall on the right, ahead is Low ScawdelThe stepping stones across the River DerwentThe stile as we head up to Lingy Bank, behind the boys is Eagle Crag with Rosthwaite Fell to the rightAt the top of Lingy Bank with Great End the dark, cloud topped fell at the backDerwent Water and Skiddaw behind me and my youngestThe same shot with my eldest this time, Castle Crag is up on the right and the path breaks off and up from the Allerdale Ramble hereSteep sided valley, the path below (Allerdale Ramble) leads to GrangeThe final climb up the quarry spoil slopes, it can be tricky in places and in the wetAt points along the way people have built mini cairns from the slate spoil heapsSome are left standing like monumentsOur best smiles for the summit shot!!Views south with Great End in view along with the Glaramara ridge on the leftThe memorial at the top is to the Borrowdale folk who lost their lives in the Great warsIts a fabulous place to view Derwent Water and SkiddawTurning left instead of right at the bottom of the spoil heap path takes you over this stile, and down a steep path towards the River DerwentNearly at the bottom, with Eagle Crag again in view across BorrowdaleWater from the river boiling up for a brew!!Pleased with their days work!! The wooded Castle Crag behind them on the left. Now we headed for Honister Slate Mine, which if you haven’t been is well worth the trip.
treksandtors 