Tag: Hike in Cumbria

Trollers Gill and Grimwith Reservoir – A beginner’s gill scramble in the Yorkshire Dales

Trollers Ghyll (or Trollers Gill) is a narrow limestone gorge in the Yorkshire Dales, England, near the village of Appletreewick. The ghyll (a Northern English term for a steep valley or ravine) has a mysterious reputation tied to local folk
The gorge is said to be haunted by trolls, hence its name. According to legend, it is home to a fearsome barghest—a supernatural black dog with glowing red eyes, often associated with death and misfortune. Some stories also link the ghyll to mythical goblins and other eerie creatures, adding to its reputation as a place of mystery.
This walk will take you on a 10.5 miles hike from Grimwith Reservoir with some scrambling in the Ghyll. It is ideal for those who are learning to find their feet on rocky and uneven terrain as well as the most seasoned hikers as the views are maginificient.

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate+
Length	10.7 mi – 17.2 km
Total elevation	1,394 ft – 425m
Highest point	1,211 ft – 369m
Walking time	4h10
Terrain	mostly hiking paths, river, and Footpath
Equipment	Good boots, it can get muddy in Places and you will also be walking on the river’s bed-rock The water may be high in places. Enough water to last you for 4 hours. Plenty of snacks as there are no facilities en route. a good map or gPS

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or other apps.
Click here for Komoot Link

Getting there

Driving: Free car-parking at Grimwith Reservoir – You could also start the walk at Stump Cross Caverns to start and/or finish with their cafes
Public transport:
Unfortunately, this walk is not accessible by public transport

Watering Holes

Cafe at Stumpcross Cavern – c. Mid-way if starting at Grimwith or at start / finish if you opt to start from there
A very cosy licensed cafe with a view .
It produces its own ale and bitter. Also a great place to stop for cake, sandwiches, soup or coffee.
Beer garden for the summer and cosy fireplace in winter.
Open Wed-Sun from 10:00-17:00 (18:00 on Sat & Sun)

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

This walk is ideally placed in a beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales where you will find plenty of other walking routes.
And close to some of the prettiest villages in the Yorkshire Dales: Grassington, Burnsall, Appletreewick etc.

For camping and glamping: Howgill Lodge
It offers 4 luxurious and romantic log-cabins with wood-fired private hot-tubs and magnificent views from their private patio area.
Of course all lodges comes with full ensuite bathroom and kitchen.
47 Grass tent pitches with or without electric hookups.
And 19 gravel pitches for motorhomes and caravans with electric hookup.
An award winning campsite. With outstanding shower facilities,
The farm is also home some alpacas. And close to two excellent pubs

For a romantic experience: Howgill Lodge wood cabins

For self-catering options: 4 Skyreholme Mill Cottage
It accommodates 6 in 3 bedrooms (King, double and twin)
2 nights minimum booking

For a cosy stay: Orchard House B&B – Hebden
A small B&B in the village of Hebden. They have a double with private bathroom and an ensuite twin room.
Reasonably priced for the area. It is a peaceful place where you can escape everyone and everything.
And Hebden has a cracking village pub.

For a luxurious experience: The Devonshire Fell Hotel – Burnsall
A 4 star luxury hotel in the beautiful village of Burnsall.
The restaurant serves exceptional food.

February 1, 2025

Lingmoor Fell – An easy Wainwright with a pint and phenomenal views – Cumbria

Lingmoor Fell, although quite low offers some of the best views in the Lake District. It includes the Coniston range with the distinctive Wetherlam and the iconic Langdale Pikes.
It is an isolated fell, and as we were in Elterwater, we did it as a quick up and down.
But you could use another route to include fat-man squeeze and/or Blea Tarn.
It doesn’t require any technical skills but as there are an array of paths at the start, do not forget your map or GPS. The actual summit is also known as Brown Howe.
The Langdales are at the heart of Lake District and simply paradise for walking, hiking, cycling or climbing. You can easily make a week-end of it. But don’t expect the facilities of Ambleside or Keswick.

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate
Length	5.5 mi – 8.8 km
Total elevation	1,460 ft – 445m
Highest point	1,538 ft – 469m
Walking time	3h00
Terrain	mostly hiking paths, footpath and road
Equipment	Good shoes, it can get muddy in places. Enough water to last you for 3 hours. Plenty of snacks as there are no facilities en route. a good map or gPS

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Lingmoor Fell is an isolated fell, and as we were in Elterwater, we did it as a quick up and down.
But you could use another route to include fat-man squeeze and/or Blea Tarn.
It doesn't require any technical skills but as there are an array of paths at the start, do not forget your map or GPS. The actual summit is also known as Brown Howe. — Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

Getting there

Driving: There are a few laybys (Free) outside Elterwater but do get there early
Public transport:
From Preston: Train to Oxenholme then train to Windermere then bus to the Britannia Inn (c. 1h50)
From Lancaster: Train to Oxenholme then train to Windermere then bus to the Britannia Inn (c. 1h40)
From Carlisle: Train to Oxenholme then train to Windermere then bus to the Britannia Inn (c. 2hrs)

Watering Holes

The Britannia Inn – Elterwater – at the end of the walk.
A cosy and traditional Cumbrian pub and Inn. Muddy boots and paws are welcome and there.
Outdoor seating in the summer and roaring fireplace in the winter
The food is rustic and uses fresh local produce, I particularly like the minted South Lakes lamb Henry. They offer no less than 6 kinds of Cumbrian ales.
The kitchen is open from 12:00 to 14:00 for lunch, 14:00-16:00 for soups and sandwiches and 17:30-20:30 for supper every-day.
Lanty Slee – Elterwater
Not technically on the route but a few steps outside the village.
Fuel up with a full English breakfast before the walk (Opens at 10 am).
Or if pub grub and ale are not your thing; you will find a selection of fine wines and spirits as well as a tapas menu as well as American fayre (12:00-21:00)
The Eltermere Inn – Elterwater
For a traditional finer dining experience or a delicious Sunday roast. It also offers some pub classics and everything is made from fresh, local ingredients/
It remains a traditional Cumbrian Inn and welcomes muddy boots and paws.
With outdoor seating in the summer and roaring wood-fire in the winter.

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

Elterwater is a great base to visit the Langdale Valley. Wether you are into walking, hiking, cycling or climbing you won’t be short of activities to do in the area.
The village has a pub and a cocktail bar as well as a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
But do not expect facilities you would find in Ambleside or Keswick. This is the perfect destination for outdoor pursuits; not for shopping or pub crawling.

For self-catering options: There is a range of cottages in Elterwater and Chapel Stile to accommodate various budgets, styles and size. I am happy to make recommendations by email.

For the budget conscious: The YHA has sold its property but the new owners kept it as a hostel.
With private and shared room for 2 to 6 people, it has 38 beds in total.
A self-catering kitchen, cosy lounge, drying room, lockable cycle storage, electric bike charging and bike washing facilities.
You don’t have to self-cater as the hostel also offers: full English breakfast, packed lunches and home-made suppers using fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
The hostel can also be booked as a venue for full use; starting with 10 people in winter.

For a cosy stay: The Britannia Inn – Elterwater
The Inn has ensuite double and twin rooms and rooms with external bathrooms.
Part of the family run pub, this would make a lovely cosy stay in the heart of the Langdales.

For a romantic experience: The Eltermere Inn – Elterwater
Offers a dozen bedrooms all individually furnished and ranging from Super Luxury to cosy rooms.
Starting at just over £150 per double room on a B&B basis, this is not bad value for the area.
But week-end stays are 2 nights minimum.
With a bar and on-site dining room, the menu is a mix of pub-classics and finer dining. All prepared with fresh and local ingredients.

For a luxurious and spa experience:
Elterwater has two 4 star spa hotels.
I have not visited them and will let you do your own research.

For large group and charities: Weirside
This is a large self-catering and self-cleaning cottage.
Accommodates 20 people in 2 dorms.
And works out at £10 to £15 per person per night.
Its goal is to provides a place to focus on personal and social growth, whether as a retreat, working with young people on leadership or team building, or as a place to reflect on our own ability to influence the common good in the communities from which we come.

January 18, 2025

Great Asby Scar, Rutter Force and Appleby – 11 miles with a mill and a pint – Cumbria

This is a fairly flat walk with no hills to climb or dramatic ups and downs but still takes 1,600 ft of total elevation. Starting at Orton Scar and ending in Appleby; it takes in part of the Dales Way.
A little more than half way through; you will find Rutter Force – this is an ideal spot to stop for your packed lunch or a break.
Rutter Force is a man-made waterfall that feeds a water wheel.
It dates back from 1579! The original wheel has been replaced since then; and the mill has been converted to an AirBnB.
But it was initially set-up as a corn mill and later converted to a bobbin mill in 1832.
Eventually turned into a saw mill and later used to power the local church and residents with electricity. The National Grid did reach the area in 1952 and the wheel has been used a decorative feature ever since.
There are no technical skills required for this route and it can be completed year-round. But make sure you have good boots or shoes as it can get muddy in places. And ensure you take enough water and snacks to sustain you for the 11 miles as there are no facilities en-route.

Westmorland. Fairly flat, yet undulating, it takes in Rutter Force waterfall and more of the beauty of the Eden Valley. Mostly footpath and bridleways; this is ideal as a winter-walk. Note that as a linear; you will need a two cars. — Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate
Length	11 mi – 17.6 km
Total elevation	1,165 ft – 355m
Highest point	1,246 ft – 380m
Walking time	4h00
Terrain	mostly footpath and bridleways
Equipment	Good shoes, it can get muddy in places. Enough water to last you for 4 hours. Plenty of snacks as there are no facilities en route

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

Getting there

Driving: This is a linear walk – you will need to cars. One at the start point and the other in Appleby in Westmorland.
The start car-park is after the village of Orton and Orton Quarry (if coming from the south / west) on the B6260
Public transport: Unfortunately, this is not an easy to walk to access by public transport.

Watering Holes

The Crown and Cushion Inn – Appleby in Westmorland – at the end of the walk.
A cosy and traditional Cumbrian pub with rooms.
Muddy boots and paws are welcome and there is a beer garden for the Summer.
The food is home-cooked. Expect traditional pub fayre and it is open from breakfast.
I really enjoyed my traditional minted lamb hot-pot.
The kitchen is open from 08:00 to 20:30 every-day.

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

Appleby in Westmorland is a very nice town to spend the week-end. But avoid during the Appleby Fair, usually on the first week of June .
There are plenty of walking and cycling routes around in the superb Eden Valley.
And is a good spot for foodies. Appleby Creamery makes Appleby brie cheese. And if the weather is too bad to walk; the castle has an interesting centre of Norman History
There are several pubs, cafes and restaurants as the main economy in town remains the tourism industry.

For a cosy stay that doesn’t break the bank: The Crown and Cushion – Appleby in Westmorland
This Robinson Brewery owned inn offers 5 comfortable rooms, including a one bedroom self-contained cottage.

For a unique and romantic experience: Appleby Castle – Appleby in Westmorland
The Castle offers a dozen bedrooms and self-contained cottages.
All decorated in individual and traditional style, many of the bedrooms in the castle have 4 poster beds.
Those most striking rooms do not come cheap but are perfect for a week-end celebrating special occasions.
For the more budget conscious, there are more affordable rooms in the old servant’s quarter.
Dinner is served in the 15th Century dining room. And offers both tasting menu and a la carte.

For a unique family experience: The cottage at Rutter Force – Great Asby
With a balcony over-looking the force and just above the water wheel; this is a unique place.
And a chance to spot red squirrels during your morning coffee.
The cosy cottage can be rented via AirBnB and has 2 bedrooms.
But you can only check-in on Mondays and Fridays.
As the place is quite quirky the owner does not accept children under 12 years old. This is purely for safety reasons.
Both rooms have double beds (no twins) and one of the bedroom is behind a curtain on the mezzanine.
As any quirky places; love it or hate it. But for wild-life lovers or any one seeking a different experience, this is an ideal place to spend a couple of nights.

November 14, 2024

The Howgills and Cautley Spout – The highest waterfall in England

This hike takes in the Calf (highest point in the Howgill Fells) and Cautley Spout (The highest waterfall in England). The Howgills are in Cumbria, but they are part of the Yorkshire Dale National Park.
The calf is not part of the 214 Wainwright but Alfred Wainwright enjoyed this route and described it as “The classic high-level walk on the Howgill Fells”

This 10 miles hike takes in the Calf (highest point in the Howgill Fells) and Cautley Spout (The highest waterfall in England). The Howgills are in Cumbria, but they are part of the Yorkshire Dale National Park.
The calf is not part of the 214 Wainwright but Alfred Wainwright enjoyed this route and described it as "The classic high-level walk on the Howgill Fells" — Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

Stats

Difficulty	Strenuous
Length	9.9 mi – 15.9 km
Total elevation	2,654 ft – 809m
Highest point	2,221 ft – 677m
Walking time	4h20
Terrain	Paths and footpaths
Equipment	Good shoes, the path can get muddy in places and the rocks could be slippy. Sufficient water to last you for 9.5 miles or About 5 hours. Layers As the top can get exposed and windy

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Getting there

Driving: Car Park on the A683 by after Sedbergh
Public transport:
From Carlisle: Train to Oxenholme and bus S1 or 563 to Sedbergh (c. 1h20)
From Lancaster: Train to Oxenholme and bus S1 or 563 to Sedbergh (c. 45)
From Manchester: Train from Piccadilly to Oxenholme and bus S1 or 563 to Sedbergh (c. 2hrs)
From Preston: Train to Oxenholme and bus S1 or 563 to Sedbergh (c. 1h00)

Watering Holes

The Cross Key Temperance Inn – About 3.5 miles into the walk if you started at the car-park – or 5 miles if you started in Sedbergh
A very cosy cafe and book-store in a 400 years old Inn.
Great stop for coffee and cake before climbing the fall. The scones are home-made.
If you are stopping for lunch you will find soup, bacon sandwiches and classic pub fayre.
Note it does not serve alcohol and call ahead of time to ensure it is open during your visit.
The Thirsty Rambler – Sedbergh
This is a fabulous micro-bar. Muddy paws and boots are always welcome.
All ales and larger are sourced from small local suppliers.
A very friendly place where you will find fellow hikers. As the place is so small it operates on a first come first seat basis.
Don’t be offended if someone you have never met before sits next you and start up a conversation; it is that kind of place !
No food served unless you pre-book the whole place. And opening hours are very restricted. Check the website ahead of time to ensure it is open at the time of your visit.

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

Sedbergh is home to a famous boarding school. But not a bad place to spend the week-end. It is on the Dales Way.
Although a very small town, there are a few pubs, inns and cafes. And the Howgills will offer plenty of walking and cycling routes for your week-end.

For large groups: Sedbergh Barn – Sedbergh
For whole property rental only. The barn will sleep 35 in 8 bunk rooms.
There is a 2 nights rental minimum.
Quite a luxury barn: hot-tub, game room and drying room.
Each rooms have an ensuite and there are extra toilets on the landing.
Two kitchens and a large dining area.

For a romantic week-end: The Dalesman Country Inn – Sedbergh
Luxury accommodation and 2 AA rosette restaurant.
An old coaching Inn with 6 rooms, all furnished individually and with luxurious soft-furnitures and bedding.
Slightly more expensive than the other inn in town but the small difference is worth it in my opinion.
For lunch, expect traditional pub fayre at reasonable price. For dinner, there is the option of the classic fish and chips or more gastro dishes such as venison loin when in season.

For a cosy cottage: The Old Chair Workshop – Sedbergh
A cosy little studio cottage that sleeps 2 in a double bed.
Please note there is no internet !

For the Camper: Farm & Fell Camping – Sedbergh
Open from Easter to August.
There are 3 fields: family, classic and quiet (no noise on the quiet field between 20:00-8:00)
The campsite will accept tents, camper vans and motorhomes. Each pitches has a fire-pit.
It offers communal showers. Serves hot-food at certain hours from the farm-yard and a bar with live music in busy periods

October 9, 2024