Middleton Fell and the Lune Valley


Walk Leader: Ian & Karen

Number on the walk: 8

Distance: 13.5 miles

Weather: Very hot

 

When we left the car park in Barbon we knew it was going to be a tough day as it was so hot. We certainly felt the impact of the heat as we made our first climb up to Eskholme Pike. At the cairn we met two other walkers who had stopped to get their breath back before moving on. They were new to the Area so were happy to follow us as we moved on to our next destination, Castle Knott, where we stopped for a short deserved break. From here I'm pleased to say there were fine views today along the Barbondale valley and across to Crag Hill and Gragareth. This was the third time Claire and Stephen had been up here but the first time the views were not hidden in mist!

Reluctantly we moved on, slowly climbing to our high point of the day, Calf Top. From here it was all downhill, well almost as there are quite a few undulations along the ridge, to the ford over Middleton Hall Beck where we stopped for lunch. The plan had been to nip off to bag Holme Knott, but with such heat the decision to give this a miss was welcomed as we had done enough climbing for the day.

After lunch we continued to follow the track past Fellside down to the road. From here we followed paths along the very pleasant Lune valley back to Barbon where we stopped for well deserved drinks and chips at the welcoming Barbon Inn. 

 

Photos can be seen 'here'