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A longer and more varied route in to the lesser known parts of the Western
Lake District, well off the beaten track.
From Bowness Knott head back up the road (north) to Whins Farm, turn
left here up the unsuitable road (it cuts the corner to Croasdale off),
then left again and on to Ennerdale Bridge. Bear left over the bridge up
the hill then left again on to the Cold Fell road towards Calder Bridge.
[WARNING - For your own safety you must be off this road whilst the
Wacky Races are on, at it's worst between 6 - 8 am and 3:30 -
6pm]. You carry on south along this road for approx. 4 miles, until you
reach the second cattle grid. The road on your right goes down to
Wilton, the bridleway on your left will take you across the moors to
Wasdale. Head down the track across the River Calder and up on and along
Town Bank, past the old settlements. Once you start descending keep a
look out for the fork in the track, you need to bear right for
Scalderskew Wood (if you don't you will end up at the top of Iron Crag,
good views but it's a dead end). Cross Worm Gill via the ford or
stepping stone, whichever is the easier, and in to Scalderskew Wood
heading south for Scalderskew, the track then swings eastwards across
Scalderskew Beck, where you bear left (continue going east) towards
Blengdale Forest. Cross the River Bleng then enter the forest heading in
a south easterly direction for Hollow Moor. At Hollow Moor you reach a T
junction, right for Gosforth, left for Buckbarrow and Wasdale. Turn
right, once you reach Kid Beck you will start descending until you meet
the Wasdale road. Turn left at the road and head towards Wast Water and
on towards Wasdale Head.
The route you choose back from Wasdale to Bowness Knott is up to you, you have 2
options:
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Netherbeck - Haycock - Lingmell - Bowness Knott |
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A hard route, off the beaten track with excellent
views.
Whilst heading past Middle Fell heading towards
Wasdale Head, you will reach a highpoint on the road where you
will be looking down in to the head of the valley, with Yewbarrow,
Gable and the Scafells in front of you, he views from here are at
there best from this high point. A hundred metres or so down the
descent you will see a bridleway sign (it is well camouflaged) on
your left, it doesn't look promising but this is where you are
going. If you reach Netherbeck Bridge then you have missed it. The
bridleway rises gently following the course of Netherbeck until
you reach Little Lad Crag, then it kicks. This section is tough
but it is the last uphill section of the day, and takes you on to
the ridge between Haycock and Scoat Fell. From here the views in
to Wasdale aren't great but the views from the ridge down to Tewit
How and Lingmell in to Ennerdale are as good as you will get,
enjoy. Descend from the pass to Tewit How, stop and take in the
scenery, have a look to your right now that you can, Pillar,
Steeple, Mirkiln Cove. At Tewit How you will need to consult your
map as the route of descent isn't clear on the ground, all this
area is a SSSI so you must stick to the bridleway. Looking from
Tewit How along Deep Gill you will see a stream that you have to
intercept, if you look carefully you will see there is a big tree
in it, this is approximately the right place, aim for this and you
won't go far wrong. Once you reach the tree its then a simple
matter of heading along the contour for Lingmell, then down the
steep front to Woundell Beck. From here turn left heading toward
the lake then, right to the Irish Bridge across the River Liza.
You used to be able to have a refreshing swim here until the LDNPA
allowed the Forestry Commission to fill the river in, now the only
place for a dip is in the lake, in our drinking water. It's now a
simple matter of heading west back to Bowness Knott.
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| 2 |
Wasdale Head - Black Sail Pass - Bowness Knott |
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This is an easier route and with poorer views.
Continue down the road to Wasdale Head. Head past the Wasdale
Inn, staying on this side of Mosedale Beck follow the bridleway up
along the western side of Kirk Fell and up Gatherstone Beck to the
top of Black Sail Pass. Enjoy the views at the top of the pass
looking in to both Mosedale and Ennerdale, you won't have much
time to appreciate the scenery on the descent towards the Black
Sail Youth Hostel, the route is pretty much laid out in front of
you from up here. Descend carefully to the River Liza, turn left
to the Youth Hostel, then follow the forest track west back to
Ennerdale Water and Bowness Knot.
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