Walkhighlands

Hi,

I'm looking for the simplest walk to a Lakeland view. It doesn't have to be a Wainwright summit, or even a summit at all...

My father has fell-walked extensively in the Lake District and across Wales for most of his life, and further afield since retirement, completing the Pyrenees coast-to-coast aged 63 and a trek to Everest basecamp aged 67! But now, aged 86 and with health slowly deteriorating, he's no longer able to complete any kind of climb, or indeed descent. He is however still able to walk 5 or 6 km on fairly level or gently sloping ground.

I'm hoping someone will be able to suggest an easy, fairly short walk, from where he'll be able to enjoy a spectacular view of the fells he loves. Any ideas welcomed.

Thanks in advance...

Latrigg or High Rigg both have high level car parks if you wanted - meaning little ascent.

Latrigg even has an accessibility path from that car park. Brilliant view on top.

Second vote for Latrigg, probably the easiest of the lot from the car park, Hallin Fell from Martindale old church is also a very simple ascent with a fantastic view, Wainwright suggested it could be climbed in carpet slippers.

Latrigg is indeed a good bet for the easiest, and with a great view. If that looks a little bit too easy (I fondly hope I can still walk 5km at 86yo; Latrigg from the carpark is less than that and a genuine 'anyone can do' walk), then Rannerdale Knotts - via the east ridge from Buttermere - perhaps? A fantastic view. There's a bit of uphill early on but all grassy, and then a tiny bit of avoidable easy rock at the end for old times' sake (but the walk and views would still be good if turning back at any point).

Latrigg has it. Thanks all

Latrigg looks like a good idea.

The one that sprang to mind for me, thanks to its stupendous views, was Fleetwith Pike from Honister Hause. A bit longer, but you're already high, and its a big track most of the way.

Thanks Mal, I'll take a look at that too

Latrigg now has a disabled access path where one can push a wheel chair all the way to the summit.


We are nearly 80 and managed Fleetwith Pike from Honister, but there is quite a pull up to start with and husbands dodgy knee felt it on the descent, so maybe give that one a miss. Rannerdale Knott is a great wee hill, but again, it has a fair amount of going up and down, and again, husband's knee didn't like it.

Below Fleetwith Pike. Does anyine do hot air ballooning round there?

Walla Crag near Keswick is a spectacular viewpoint, easily accessed from Castlerigg Farm. A bit more distance and ascent than Latrigg but still a short, easy walk.

Just thought that most of the ascent on Fleetwith is covered by a bus taking people up to the "Via Ferrata" on a stony track. From there it is more or less level if you can blag your way onto one. I'm sure they have plenty of spaces both up and down. We avoided it on the ascent by following the far nicer walkers' route, but came down that way.

Well we made itII We started off with a couple of gentle walks around Grasmere/Rydal Water, Tarn Hows and a long walk in Langdale/Mickleden from our cottage near Elterwater. We then had a fairly easy walk up Latrigg one drizzly afternoon, much to our delight.

He then announced that he fancied climbing Loughrigg Fell, some fifty-odd years after he'd first dragged six-year-old me up there. He didn't even go the easy way, ignoring my suggestion of starting a little further round and instead going straight up the steep path from Red Bank Road! I had to urge him to stop and take a breather every few steps at one stage; I was climbing right behind him as he got a bit wobbly a couple of times and even checked I had a mobile signal in case he got in real trouble.

We sat on the big cairn where several paths meet in sight of the summit where he declared he'd had enough, but after a rest and a bit to eat & drink we made it to the summit proper, before descending via the old quarry & caves, and along Loughrigg Terrace. Hugely proud of the stubborn old sod!!

Excellent. Well done that man! Thanks for reporting back, great to know you got to a wonderful viewpoint like that.

Loughrigg was one of my own first fells too, at a similar age to yourself.

Excellent. Well done both of you for being persistent. We had an excellent 80th birthday treat

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=89483

and hope we can do what your dad did at his age.

An inspiring story. Well done both of you.
Can only hope to be able to manage even some of that at that age ! Thanks