Grasmere and Easedale

It's been a number of years since I was in this neck of the woods. I don't know why because there are some excellent walks in this area: the path via Sour Milk Gill to Easdale Tarn being best. Walkers can carry on up on to Blea Rigg or alternatively, if you are fit enough, the Langdale Pikes could be an option.

I only had a couple of hours to spare so I limited myself to a valley walk, calling in The Lancrigg Hotel for a coffee on my way. I always knew there was a large house hidden in Lancrigg Wood but I never knew it was a hotel. The coffee shop forms part of an olde worlde bar which I should imagine would be very cosy and inviting on a cold winter's night and as a bonus, it serves real ales too.

After my coffee I carried on walking through the woods and eventually came out on the lower slopes of Helm Crag; not a high fell but still a steep pull up and a rocky summit which requires scrambling skills. Lots of walkers have bravely climbed up to the summit only to have to seek embarrassing assistance to get back down. I'm not built for such shenanigans so have always erred on the side of caution but I have helped friends back down!

I had trainers on so a higher climb was impractical and therefore I took the bridleway back down in to the valley. The way back into Grasmere is as straightforward as you want it to be. There is a direct lane back or you can take one of the side lanes and have a bit of an explore. The scenery is more varied if you take the latter option as you get great views over Dunmail Raise and the Eastern Fells. Plus it is a lot quieter.

On my way back to the caravan, I drove down St John's In The Vale just as the sun was setting on Blencathra and Skiddaw which gave me some great photos. Also there was a conveniently positioned flooded field right next to the main road and this enabled me to get some stunning reflections. I have included these photos in my blog.