Troutbeck to Pooley Bridge - Friday 1 July 2011
Route
Troutbeck - Thornthwaite Crag - High Street - The Knott - Rampsgill Head - Kidsty Pike - High Raise - Wether Hill - Loadpot Hill - Bonscale Pike - Arthur's Pike - Pooley Bridge
Parking
Troutbeck near the Church (Free) - Grid Ref NY 412027
Mileage
17.7 miles
Terrain
Mountain terrain, good paths
Weather
Warm and sunny with very light winds
Time Taken
9hrs
Total Ascent
3382 ft (1031m)
Wainwrights
10
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes - North Eastern Area
Troutbeck - Thornthwaite Crag - High Street - The Knott - Rampsgill Head - Kidsty Pike - High Raise - Wether Hill - Loadpot Hill - Bonscale Pike - Arthur's Pike - Pooley Bridge
Parking
Troutbeck near the Church (Free) - Grid Ref NY 412027
Mileage
17.7 miles
Terrain
Mountain terrain, good paths
Weather
Warm and sunny with very light winds
Time Taken
9hrs
Total Ascent
3382 ft (1031m)
Wainwrights
10
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes - North Eastern Area
GPX File
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Walk Description
As walks go this is superb but should preferably be undertaken on a day with both good weather and excellent visibility in order to make the most of the views over the Far Eastern Fells. The transit is mainly on the old Roman Road linking the forts at Penrith and Ambleside. Whilst the mileage was long, we took it easy throughout and paced ourselves, resting often. Only on the descent off Arthur's Pike to Pooley Bridge did we start to tire.
We were staying in Troutbeck and therefore did not need to find a parking space as we walked from the door of the B&B. We had a pre-arranged taxi to bring us back to Troutbeck from Pooley Bridge although next time we do this walk we plan to park in Glenridding and take the Ullswater Steamer to Pooley Bridge and do the walk in reverse.
Once you have made the initial ascent up to Thornthwaite Crag there is not much up and down after that apart from the slight pull up to each summit. The paths were well trodden and dry which made for easy walking underfoot. We did not see many people on the walk, considering it was a Friday and the weather was really good.
We were staying in Troutbeck and therefore did not need to find a parking space as we walked from the door of the B&B. We had a pre-arranged taxi to bring us back to Troutbeck from Pooley Bridge although next time we do this walk we plan to park in Glenridding and take the Ullswater Steamer to Pooley Bridge and do the walk in reverse.
Once you have made the initial ascent up to Thornthwaite Crag there is not much up and down after that apart from the slight pull up to each summit. The paths were well trodden and dry which made for easy walking underfoot. We did not see many people on the walk, considering it was a Friday and the weather was really good.
A Herdwick family near Troutbeck Tongue
Looking South to Troutbeck Tongue with Windermere peeping out. Dodd Hill and Baystones on Wansfell Pike are to the right.
The 14ft beacon on Thornthwaite Crag. The actual highest point of the fell is 148ft (45m) north of the beacon.
Summit of The Knott
Looking back to The Straits of Riggindale and High Street from The Knott
Summit of Rampsgill Head looking to High Raise
Haweswater and The Rigg from Kidsty Pike
Summit of Kidsty Pike - Rough Crag in the foreground with Harter Fell dominating the background.
The small Tarn of Caspel Gate can be seen to the right.
The small Tarn of Caspel Gate can be seen to the right.
Kidsty Pike Summit Cairn - Twopenny Crag is on the left on High Street
Summit Cairn and wind shelter on High Raise
The disappointing Summit Cairn on Wether Hill
Loadpot Hill from Wether Hill. You can just about make out the Trig Point on the summit and on the right hand path is a ruined chimney.
Trig Point on the Summit of Loadpot Hill (complete with map case!)
The twin towers on Bonscale Pike viewed from near the Summit. Ullswater and Pooley Bridge at its head.
Hallin Fell and Ullswater from Bonscale Pike
The Summit Cairn on Arthur's Pike
Nirvana! and Journey's End - The Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge