Mountain Walking and Elizabethan History in the North West Lakes

This outing in the Derwent Fells of the North West Lakes offers the opportunity to explore the Elizabethan history of the Keswick area. The walk proves to be an excellent choice for the shorter days of late autumn, and indeed right through the winter into spring. We can adapt the route to fit the time available so we can linger to appreciate the magnificent scenery and the many points of interest along the way. There are so many variations, each of which has its highlights to savour and detours to explore, not to mention the many options to reach a choice of summits to suit your stamina.

The length of the route can be modified to take account of weather and available daylight, with a start at Hawes near Derwent Water or further up Newlands valley at Little Town. Options include a visit to the site of the old copper mine at Scope End, renamed Gottdgabt (God’s Gift) by the German miners because of amount of copper it yielded.

It’s a steady ascent to Hindscarth and on to the summit of Dale Head from where we have an outstanding view of the Honistor Slate mines. Depending on how people’s legs are feeling the route can either descend back down the valley to Little Town or continue on over High Spy and Maiden Moor before dropping back down to the starting point. Either way this is a superb walk with spectacular views and the interest is maintained along its entirety.

As a rough guide the walk normally takes 5 to 8 hours and is around 11 to 19km, depending on the route taken.

Please phone or email if you’d like to join us!