free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
We parked at the entrance to the upper Swindale Valley at (grid reference 522142). There is parking for several cars. Half an hour's walk takes you to Swindale Head farm, from where the Old Corpse Road leads over to Mardale. It's a steep climb initially, but good views open up of the head of Swindale.
- Morning light on the head of Swindale, taken from the Old Corpse Road to Mardale.
After you reach open moorland a post marks the spot where you turn left up the north east ridge of Selside Pike - it's a gentle gradient here over featureless moorland. There are good views north towards the Pennines and the Eden Valley. Further up good views open up of Highstreet, Rough Crag, Kidsty Pike and Riggindale to the west.
From Selside Pike we headed to Branstree - another mile and a half of featureless moorland.
- Selside Pike to Branstree
From Branstree we had good views to the South down Longsleddale and towards the coast, but the view in other directions is restricted. It's not a remarkable top, but we enjoyed the views of Haweswater at Artle Crag, about fifty yards north of the main summit.
We returned by the same route, but a circuit would be possible descending to Mosedale and following the route from there back to Swindale.
