Hallin Fell and Ullswater shore path

[richardkchapman]

The forecast today was for low cloud right down into the valleys, and a look outside the window seemed to confirm it.


Low hanging cloud outside the cottage.


Our plan was to stay low, and also not to over-exert sprained knees, by taking the steamer to Howtown and from there to ascend Hallin Fell - low enough to be below the clouds, we hoped, and easy enough that the whole family could walk together, including Granny and Great Uncle Michael. It was a bit of a rush to be ready and out in time to catch the first steamer of the day at 9:45, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. The lake was beautifully still and the early mists very photogenic.


Place Fell with a belt of clouds.



Ullswater in the morning mists.



Onboard the 'Lady of the Lake'.


After disembarking at Howtown, we walked up the road to the top of the hause. And then down again looking (unsuccessfully) for the glove that Thomas had dropped somewhere along the way. And then up again.


The 'motorists path'.


From the hause, the path is wide and green, ad the gradients mostly pretty gentle. Wainwright reckons you can do the walk in bare feet if you want, but I'm not sure I fancy it with all the sheep droppings.


The secluded vallies of Martindale and Boredale.


The views around us kept changing with the shifting clouds - I really like walking in mist when it's like that.


Looking south from the path up Hallin Fell.



Above the clouds.



View from the south cairn.



Hurry up Dad, we've been here for ages.


When we first reached the top, there was no view at all due to a passing cloud, but within a few minutes Ullswater had magically appeared below us.


Granny proves the new hips are Wainwright-ready.


We descended via a slightly different (but just as gentle) path, back to the hause. From there, Granny and Great Uncle Michael returned to Howtown for the steamer back to Glenridding, while the rest of us set off (with various degrees of complaining about 'why do we have to walk home') towards Sandwick and the path back to Patterdale along the side of Ullswater.


Looking back from the start of the path to Patterdale


Wainwright describes the walk from Sandwick to Patterdale as "the most beautiful and rewarding walk in Lakeland" - I'm not sure I'd go that far, but it is a very nice walk. There's a lot more up-and-down than you might expect for a walk along a lake - the path is generally a few hundred yards from the lakeshore rather than right alongside it.


Gowbarrow Fell across the lake.


It's always nice (one of the great things about walking in the Lakes) to be able to see the route of the previous days walk from today's.


The Ullswater monster.


It doesn't particularly show up in this picture, but the boat here was towing behind it a long line of canoes, that looked like the humps of a sea serpent chasing it along the lake.


Granny and Great Uncle Michael are on there somewhere...

As we walked we kept an eye open for the steamer passing - Granny and Great Uncle Michael had promised to wave if they spotted us. I suspect they waved at some other walkers, as we couldn't see anyone waving when they passed us...

[SusieThePensioner]

It's great to see all the family out for at least part of the walk
Some lovely atmospheric photos and enjoyed your report

There's a lot more up-and-down than you might expect for a walk along a lake

I can second that!!

[denfinella]

Was going to write "lovely atmospheric photos" until I saw that Susie had written exactly the same thing!

A misty day can definitely add enjoyment to a walk, as long as it's not just blanket fog and not mixed in with heavy rain

[ChrisW]

Lovely hike RC and some beautiful photos along the way, low level or high level doesn't really matter, getting out there is always a win