August 26, 2023 2:04 pm
Published by Richard Jennings
The combination of fording the River Esk and the beach walk to Ravenglass, are the grand finale of the Lakeland Way. However, a low-tide window is required to be able to cross the river at the Eskmeals Viaduct, and to continue the mile or so to the Market Cross in the centre of the coastal village. The length of this window is subjective, and can be one hour (comfortable) or two hours (doable) each side of low tide; both being very safe, and in my own experience the water level has never reached above my knees at one and half hours at each side of a low ‘spring’ tide (see Neap Tides and Spring Tides below). With all this in mind, it is important to plan your Lakeland Way adventure when there is a low tide in the afternoon, due to this crossing being at the end of day 12. Ideally, a low tide between 3pm and 4pm would be my preference. Tide TimesThe tide times tell you what time the water will be at its highest point (high tide) and at its lowest point (low tide). In the UK there are usually two high tides and two low tides in a 24 hour period. The time at which the high and low tide occur will change day to day. For example, if the tide was at its lowest at 3pm today, the lowest tide is likely to be later tomorrow. Tide times are generally available for the next seven days for around 500 port locations around the UK, and can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy. However, due to storm surges and other factors, predicting tide times a long way into the future could be less accurate. Websites that provide weekly or monthly tide charts:www.tideschart.com/Ravenglasswww.tidetablechart.com/Ravenglass To plan your walk way ahead, QuickTide provides a two-year tide chart:www.quicktide.co.uk Although tide times are generally reliable, long periods of bad weather can cause the sea to swell and push tides into the estuaries before the predicted times, so it’s important to look at the conditions and make an informed decision on the day. Other factors may also play a part, for example you could be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances or you may have misjudged the time it’s taken to walk the last day. It is at Stainton Tower where a decision can be made on which route to take...
August 9, 2023 5:36 pm
Published by Richard Jennings
There has been a small route change on Day 7 between Hayeswater Gill and The Knott. Any GPX or maps downloaded before 09.08.23 should be replaced with the following files: GPX route: DownloadPDF maps: Download On the map above, which was surveyed in 1859, you can see a section of the old packhorse track between the hamlet of Hartsop and The Knott. After crossing Hayeswater Gill, the course of the track takes a zig-zag climb up the steep western shoulder of The Knott. The track then continues and merges with the High Street Roman Road at the Straits of Riggindale. This route was a vital trading link between the valley of Patterdale and its neighbouring valleys of Mardale and Kentmere. On today’s maps, the route is still shown as a bridleway, but sadly a large section of the track, beyond the footbridge, has been lost to time and only a faint trace of it can be seen. On closer inspection, a few old cairns, partially hidden by long grass, can be spotted along the course of the old track. On the map above I’ve illustrated the two paths that exist today on the western shoulder of The Knott. Paths like these, which are more direct, are formed when a route is more popular as a way off the fells and less so as a way up. As a result of this, the zig-zag section of the bridleway became undesirable. Initially the Lakeland Way followed the direct path from the weir at Hayeswater, but after many days of persistent rain the crossing here can be difficult to negotiate and result in very wet feet. It was John Falcus, the first person to walk the whole of the Lakeland Way in one go, who notified me of this problem after he finished his walk in July 2023. As a result of this information provided by John, and a recce of the paths by myself on the 8th August, the Lakeland Way now takes a route over the footbridge and follows the direct path that runs parallel with the wall. It is a shame that this part of the old packhorse route is lost. Instead, we are left with a laborious ascent. Back to the top
August 2, 2023 11:13 am
Published by Richard Jennings
Introduction“I happened to come across this walk purely by accident, but within minutes of reading all the information provided I was “hooked”. There was no way that I was not going to take on what I perceived to be a wonderful challenge in Lakeland. After a number of e-mails and telephone conversations with Richard, the walk devisor, it became apparent that I might just be the first person to take on and complete the walk in a continuous loop. Not wanting to miss the chance of “being that person”, on Saturday 22nd July, I began what I hoped would be a superb adventure. Why don’t you come along with me and find out how it went? Oh, you might just want to bring a coat!” Saturday 22nd July 2023Day 1Ravenglass to Wasdale Head – 14.5 miles “Leaving Ravenglass station at 1:00pm, the first few miles to Boot are relatively flat through woodland tracks. It left me feeling a bit complacent and I even stopped for a coffee break at Dalesgarth station. It was here that the rain decided that it should join me on my walk. Leaving Boot and crossing Eskdale Moor, any complacency you may have felt is suddenly shaken from you, and you’re reminded that you need to respect the fells and hills as they can be wild and unforgiving. Eskdale Moor was very challenging, with lots of rainwater coming off the tops and you certainly had to keep your wits about you trying to cross the becks. Some parts of the path were like streams and circumnavigating the end of Burnmooor Tarn was fun; even the duck board was underwater. Worse was still to come though crossing the stream near the campsite in Down-in-the-Dale, as there was no choice but to go straight through with water at calf height. I arrived at Wasdale Head very wet at around 6pm. I set up my tent in the small field opposite the pub; you have to book in at the pub first and pay a very reasonable £6, and they give you a tag to tie onto your tent along with the code for the shower block. A nice meal and a couple of pints later I was ready for bed. I have enjoyed every minute of it so far, and looking forward to the next bit. If you are still wanting to continue with me I’ll see you...
June 1, 2023 7:08 pm
Published by Richard Jennings
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to develop a long-distance walk, either a long linear route along the gritstone edges and the steep-sided limestone valleys of the Peak District, or a circular route traversing the Cumbrian Mountains of the Lake District. It was in those early years of walking in my back garden, the Dark Peak, that I first became acquainted with OS maps, and realised the joy of joining the popular routes and creating longer days out in the countryside. This was very rewarding for me, mentally and physically. From an early age, I was very creative and full of imagination, which is probably the reason why I was good at Art in my school years, and had a successful career as a cabinet maker. However, it wasn’t until I was well into my 30’s that I truly embraced walking and found a way of escaping life’s dilemmas. Although exploring the hills and escarpments of the Peak District was the beginning of a new pastime for me, and one that would eventually take over my life, it would be a lovely calm September day in 2009 that completely changed my life forever. I skipped off the train at Ravenglass donning a new waterproof jacket, walking boots and a rucksack, and headed for the youth hostel in the valley of Wasdale. This was the Lake District, a whole new landscape for me to explore and stories to discover. While descending from Irton Fell, I looked ahead and witnessed something quite breathtaking. A patchwork of greens dominated the valley floor, but my eyes were soon drawn towards a long expanse of blue surrounded by shielding giants. Yewbarrow, with the appearance of the arched back of a diving whale, receives most attention across Wast Water, while a vigilant Great Gable, seated at the head of this amphitheatre like a Cumbrian king on his throne, invites you to enter its secret kingdom. This is Lakeland, and I am amongst new friends. The next morning I headed back to Ravenglass by following the course of the River Irt, and taking with me an overwhelming sense of spiritual and forward-thinking enlightenment. I wasn’t sad to be leaving, but instead I was already planning my next adventure. I returned to the Lake District the following year, in September 2010, to walk Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path. To walk across the country...
