Six LDWA members (3 from Cumbria, 1 from Northumbria and 2 from Wessex) met for an 08:05 start from Braithwaite.

The weather was cool as the group started on the "West" loop, a pleasant walk through woods to the edge of Thornthwaite village where the climbing started and layers were removed. Above Seldom Seen and into Whinlatter Forest the path continued along Comb Beck, crossing it twice before ascending to a track junction at Thwaitehill Knotts and following the waymarked "Wow" trail to the viewpoint at Red Crag.

Continuing around the hillside there followed a short scramble up Birch Crag before reaching the stile at the edge of the forest and the final ascent to the rocky summit of Barf. It was nearly 10:30 and time for a coffee stop while appreciating the views over Bassenthwaite Lake, the Helvellyn ridge and Criffel, distant to the north.

Taking the forestry track back down, the route rejoined the outward route at the Thwaitehill Knotts junction and the group were back at the cars just before mid-day with 7 miles (11.4km) done.

 

The weather was now quite warm with a gentle breeze under a clear blue sky.

It was Palm Sunday and the adjacent Orthodox chapel was busy with people enjoying tea & cake in the lovely sunshine.

 

Lunch was now taken, three members stopping at the nearby Coledale Inn and two of these would continue on the "South" loop under their own steam.

The remaining three members continued on the "North" loop, following the footpath to Dancing Gate over normally marshy ground and past the appropriately named Bog House, but which today was firm going the whole way!

A stop to remove layers was made on the road by Scalebeck Gill where the steep climb up through the woods started.

This eventually met the footpath coming up from Millbeck which would be our return route.

Following the footpath and then a forest road steadily uphill led to the col at Long Doors, before following the main route up to Dodd Summit. An alternate route then took the group down to the Millbeck footpath before returning past Dancing Gate back to Braithwaite.

It was now 4pm with two loops and 16 miles (25km) completed.

 

After a break, two members continued on the "South" loop, a steady climb out of the village and up the side of Stile End on open fellside to reach the col at Barrow Door. The well worn path continued over the summit of Barrow which was reached at 17:10 and down over grassy undulations to reach Braithwaite Lodge Farm. Taking the footpath over Barrow Gill met to the outward route again and a return to the start at 17:40 with three loops and 19.5 miles (31km) completed.

 

After another break, the remaining two members continued on the final "East" loop, taking the footpath to Hodgson How then through Portinscale to reach the suspension bridge over the river Derwent. Continuing past Crosthwaite Church and the old railway line to the edge of Keswick, the track at Spooney Green Lane was soon reached. Just past the double-bend at Ewe How an incredibly steep path led directly to the bench near the summit of Latrigg. After a pause for breath the true summit was reached at 19:20 with lengthening shadows and a cold wind now blowing. The descent was through an area of felled forest down to the permissive path through Brunholme Wood.

Turning right, the outward route was rejoined. An alternate route past Keswick School added some variety to the route, and when the A66 was reached beyond Portinscale, the cyclepath alongside the main road gave us the quickest and safest route back to the start in the fading light. Headtorches were however not required, and the 4 loops were completed at 20:45.

 

Walk stats: 28 miles/45km with 6,200ft/1900m ascent in 12 hours 40 minutes.

 

A grand day out