Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: April 2016

It may be only 1243ft high but this walk is a sheer delight if you have a couple of hours spare. Plus the view from the top is even better. You can either park in Keswick and go up through the woods to Castlerigg or, if you are feeling lazy, you can park up at Castlerigg and then it's a mere stroll. You can also park at Great Wood car park down Borrowdale where you have the choice of another two paths. Either a gentle stroll through the woods or a very steep and stepped climb which more or less makes a bee line for the top,

Once up there the views over Derwentwater to the North Western Fells are stunning as is the view south to the Scafell group of hills. Looking from the top, Great Gable appears to be the highest of the Lakeland Fells and not Scafell Pike. This is possibly because its summit stands in isolation and is quite pointed.

You can then either continue your walk to Ashness Bridge and come back via Derwentwater shore or if to are feeling more energetic, you can carry on up to the higher Bleaberry Fell. I was feeling lazy that day and just parked myself on the top of Walla Crag and took in the fabulous views before strolling back down.

These are photos of my little stroll, hope you enjoy them.

Walla Crag from Castlerigg

Skiddaw

Blencathra

Keswick and Skiddaw from the top

Derwentwater

Skiddaw from the summit

Blencathra from the summit

North Western Fells

A summit cairn

Blencathra

For me, half eight was an early start! I'm not the sort who gets up at unearthly hours for a sunrise, give me a couple of hours extra sleep and a nice cup of coffee and then I'm fit for most things.

I hadn't been down the Dudden Valley for a few years due to it's remoteness so with blue skies above, I set off with a spring in my step. The journey to the South Lakes took me via Ullswater which these days is quite a busy road due to the A591 closure for flood damage. The lake was so calm and the light hazy as I pulled in to the Glencoyne car park. For the time of day it was very busy, mainly due to overnight stayers and fishermen making an early start to their day. After having a chat with one of the fishermen (who had come up from Lancashire) and taking a few photos, I carried on my way over the Kirkstone Pass and down to Ambleside.

As the weather was so good I decided to head down Langdale and then go over Wrynose Pass to Cockley Beck where the Dudden Valley starts (or finishes if you approach from the South) but I suppose it is the head of the valley whichever way you approach. Many stops were made down Langdale to take photographs which is an absolute dream with the Pikes, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags circling the valley head.

Next on the agenda was Blea Tarn nestling below Pike O Blisco which turned out to be a rather special place to be. I had the tarn all to myself and the reflections were unbelievable. I was there for maybe half an hour making the most of it but as I was leaving, the first ripples were beginning to appear and the reflections were rapidly disappearing.

Then it was up and over Wrynose Pass, along Wrynose Bottom to Cockley Back and my intended destination, the Dudden Valley. The only problem I have with going there is that I don't really know where I can park up and go for a short walk apart from Birks Bridge which is what I did. Maybe an internet search for a walking book for this area would be the best thing to do before I go again. The ground around Birks Bridge was very wet and boggy so I was limited in the photos I could take, in fact I didn't take any of the bridge itself.

Time was getting on and and lunch was calling. If anyone is in that area, the local bakers at Broughton is highly recommended. However a wrong turning took me towards Millon which is a bit of a shock to the system after the beauty of the Lakes. Anyway I reversed my route and finally made it to Broughton.

The return journey took me up the side of Coniston Water where I had my last break at Brown How. I had intended to call for a pint in The Drunken Duck at Barnsgate but there was no free seating outside so I just carried on. I did stop off at Clappersgate though as there was a heron in the Brathay. I played cat and mouse with it before getting a reasonable photo and then completed my journey by coming back over the Kirkstone Pass. The fishermen I had chatted to earlier in the day were still sat by the side of Ullswater; I had to admire their patience. It had been a long but very enjoyable day out.