Whinlatter Hills

[MiniRambo]

Whinlatter.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

2016-05-13_Whinlatter Hills.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

(As you can see, I had a 'technical malfunction' with the old GPS at the start of the walk and failed to record the first 2km so have added another map to show the first part of our route.)

Chris and Andrew joined me again for this walk> the recent hot and sunny weather was to be replaced by cloud as a cold front moved south over the country. However, we were hopeful that it would still allow us some decent views, which would make a nice change, well for me anyway!

We arrived at the good sized parking area just off the B5292, west of the Whinlatter Pass. This parking area is also the access road to Darling How farm and the Forestry Commission vehicles. We were booted and away by just after 10am.

Ready for the off..

The access road is in good condition and made for a brisk start. The sun was shining and there was a gentle cooling breeze (it was most welcome ). Good views began to open up of the fells we would be tackling today.

Half a mile in, looking back...

.... and a little further on

A steepish section of plantation track was followed by a left hand bend in the road It was at this point that we decided to go 'off road' and head directly uphill through a recently replanted hillside that was full of felled tree scrub and tussocky heather. My lungs were gasping for air as Andrew did his usual thing of disappearing into the distance What it is to be young?!

Just leaving the track and going straight up!

View across to Broom Fell

We crossed the fence marking the upper limit of the wooded area and then over/through further heather covered slopes to reach the broad northern ridge of Brown How. We had a short rest stop before heading up to the summit.

On the ridge with view to Lorton

Brown How summit selfie

The views over to Grisedale Pike and the other hills in that vicinity were good and indeed the north west coast of Cumbria was visible and beyond to Dumfriesshire.

The hills south of Whinlatter..

From Brown How to Whinlatter Top

From Brown How it was an enjoyable amble along to Whinlatter Top and our first 'Wainwright' of the day. We kept on the path heading east to the edge of the Thornthwaite Forest. From here it naturally veers north, following the fence of the forest. As we neared Tarbarrel Moss, we crossed the fence and joined a broad path which turned out to be part of the mountain bike tracks which are run from the Whinlatter Forest Park visitor centre. It was nice to wander through the trees and we soon reached another of the forest access roads which brought us through to a path leading towards Lord's Seat. (We met a group of four and confirmed the direction we were heading.) We took in the views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The wind was strong and cold so then headed downwards towards Barf.

Summit pic on Whinlatter Top

The path beside Thornthwaite Forest heading to Tarbarrel Moss

The path/cycle track through the wood..

... and towards Lord's Seat

...and from the same place looking back to the hills climbed this morning

On Lord's Seat

As we dropped down, the wind began to ease and we decided to stop for lunch in a sunny sheltered area overlooking Barf with views through to Derwent Water and Keswick.

Heading to Barf

Sandwiches and coffee downed, we were soon on Barf (met another group of five en route). We could see that the top of Skiddaw was in cloud and distant views to the north were becoming difficult as the light definition began to fade with the higher cloud moving towards us.

View of Bassenthwaite from Barf

Rather that go back over Lord's Seat again, we skirted around the northern side of the hill and soon gained the path leading from its summit and heading to our next target, Broom Fell. The path was good and it made for easy walking.

The detour path around Lord's Seat to Broom Fell

From Broom Fell back to Lord's Seat

Once over Broom Fell, we could see our final hill, Graystones about 2km away to the west. Again it was relatively easy underfoot before a steep descent to the north eastern corner of the Darling How Plantation and then an equally steep ascent onto Graystones from the north western corner.

Dropping down behind Darling How Planation

A blister on my left heal was causing a little pain (over exertion of catching them up after a photo stop ) so was glad this was the last summit.

Graystones...

A very very steep descent followed down to Scawgill beck. A small area of the path that runs alongside the beck appears to have been washed away by the winter storms but is still passable. Over a small wooden footbridge and then strenuous re-climb back to the car.

... the descent!!

Scawgill Bridge

A really enjoyable walk with good company on a fine day.

[ChrisW]

Nice to see you getting the best of the weather on this cracker MR, those young folks sure do like to stride out don't they when my boy is with me I have to near run to keep up Great photos of what was clearly a great day in the hills (even with the damn blister)

[trailmasher]

A nice route and report MR and a great weather day for doing those hills Pity about the GPS going wrong and pleased that you got it sorted The Graystone side is as bad both ways mate, up and down BTW, you can always hobble Andrew