Stybarrow and peekaboo Ullswater

[old danensian]

Finally, the first hills of 2011, and as a Yorkshireman I thought it was about time I did Sheffield Pike: you know, a bit of missionary work on the wrong side of the Pennines.

It was a bleary-eyed start at 6.30am from down in Warwickshire, but a bright-eyed start from the car park at Glencoyne Bridge four hours later as a mist crept menacingly up Ullswater. The curious comings and goings of the inversion was to be the theme of a glorious, solitary day. So, let’s allow the photographs to tell most of the story.

Ullswater from Glencoyne Bridge

Ullswater from slopes of Glenridding Dodd

Once through the woods above Glencoyne Farm the path strikes steeply up to the left and Glenridding Dodd is a worthwhile first stop of the day. To the west the crags of Heron Pike hide the view of Sheffield Pike beyond, and by now the mists had rolled further up Ullswater to keep the lake from view as well.

Heron Pike from Glenridding Dodd

Ullswater under the mists - from Glenridding Dodd

However, once the ridge past Heron Pike had been negotiated and Sheffield Pike was reached, the mists had retreated.

Ullswater from Sheffield Pike

Stybarrow Dodd stretched ahead and lured me over, with the views north and west gradually opening up as its slopes levelled out. Strangely, on such a stunning day, and so close to the honey-pot of the Big “H”, there was not a soul in sight.

South west Lakeland from Stybarrow Dodd

High Street from Stybarrow Dodd

Hart Side, and a descent over Brown Hills was the final part of the plan.

Ullswater from Brown Hills

Heading east, the ins and outs of a misty Ullswater again formed the backdrop to the walk and the path through the woods of Glencoyne Park was followed back to the road.

Glenridding and Patterdale from slopes of Brown Hills

[fedupofuserids]

Nice pics, Ullswater always looks nice whatever the time of year !

[susanmyatt]

Nice photos indeed, when we were atop Sheffield Pike it was so windy we had a job to stand, great views though