B Walk at Glenridding 2012

Walk Leader:  Beverley Kelly

Total Distance:8 Miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 2100ft

B Linear Walk - click to enlarge

 

We are right in the centre of the mighty peaks of the Helvellyn Range with wonderful views and challenging ascents, yet you do not need to be a mountain goat to be part of this wonderful panorama. Today we are doing an A to B walk gently rising ( see the elevation image over) with great views all the way, even if it is wet as it was on the reccie.

We alight alongside Ullswater by  Yew Crag ( so have your boots on), and ascend through woods below Gowbarrow Park. As we exit the woods we can see Lyulphs Tower, an 18th century castellated Gothic Folly built by the Dukes of Norfolk.

We soon reach Aira Force, a 20m crashing cleft with dainty footbridges above and below. We will descend to the bottom and enjoy the spectacle before climbing the steps back to our route above Glencoyne Park.

 We continue to ascend on a reasonable pathway with wonderful views to Place Fell, up the lake and beyond (weather permiting).

Through the wall and we are on the Miners Path ‘clinging’ to the side of Birkett Fell—narrow but not dangerous and quit peaceful. Watch out for the wildlife.

 Passing the cliffs of Glencoyne Head we meet the path from Sheffield Pike and so the next bit will be familiar to those who joined us last year. We are descending now, past the mines to the weir below.

Crossing the beck our return is via the lower slopes of Birkhouse Moor with views across the valley and into Glenridding, our destination and refreshment venues. 

Addendum from Mark Richards 'Far Eastern Fells';

Birkett Fell was so named in 1963 in memory of Lord Birkett of Ulverston. Norman Birkett was brought up in a strong Methodist family, the bedrock of a man of compassion which underpinned a distinguished legal career. His love of Lakeland made him an impassioned fighter on its behalf. His crowning triumph was to avert the plan to convert Ullswater into a reservoir. The inquiry ended little more than a week before his death. Such threats never really go away and a guarded vigilance is always needed. The summit cairn is composed of stones brought up from the shores of the lake by members of the Outward Bound School. There is a further memorial to Lord Birkett set on Kailpot Crag on the shores of Ullswater, with the simple inscription

‘He loved Ullswater,

He strove to maintain its beauty for all to enjoy.’