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On the drive from Keswick to Blencathra Visitor Centre where we would start the walk, it doesn't take long for the hulking beast to pop into view and show its shapely southern face with Fell tops either side, as if guarding an ancient giant:
The walk starts with a nice easy path up the bulky Blease Fell
In no time the view of the surrounding peaks is superb, warranting many stops on the way up to soak in the surroundings:
Lonscale Fell over at Skiddaw comes into view as the path turns right:
Continue up towards the zig-zag path seen from Latrigg summit the day before:
Latrigg, Keswick & Derwent Water:
The view south and west... addictive:
Latrigg from the north east:
Easy going now up to Knowe Crags:
Made it, Gategill Fell Top is next...
...but first the view, Gategill Fell ridge:
Once up on the ridge the going is easy, time to enjoy the stroll and views:
Skiddaw behind to the left:
Gategill Fell coming up...
Looking back to Knowe Crags with Great Gable, Eel Crag, Grassmoor Hopegull Head and others in the background:
Skiddaw:
Summit (Hallsfell top) ahoy:
Hall's Fell ridge:
Onwards to the summit...
Made it, now soak in the view...
Helvellyn:
Skiddaw on the walk back down:
Gategill Fell top on the way back and looking south yet again:
It takes no time at all to return to the car...
Car park below and that's us:
I'm glad we chose Blencathra as it's a great walk done in just under three hours with a good path the whole way, lots of other friendly walkers and dogs to chat to and views to whet the appetite for the next visit to the Lake District, overall an all round pleasant experience and you can see all of the big Lake District hills from there, making choosing where to go and what to climb the next time we visit even harder....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/djchrismac/albums/72157665122893734