That's Lyth Anytime - Whitbarrow, Cunswick and Scout Scar


Walk Leader: Ann Holden

Number on walk: 5 plus 1 dog

Distance: 19.1 miles with 2355ft of ascent

Weather: Hot, Hotter, Blazing, Boiling, Sweltering!

 

5 walkers plus 1 dog, Tilly, finally convened near(ish – ahem, Wendy and Andy!) the Gilpin Bridge Inn, Levens just off the A590 at 9am on an already-hot morning.

Suitably weighed down by copious amounts of liquid and sunhats handy we set off to walk the circular walk devised by Tony Willey (Lakeland LDWA) during lockdown – a lovely route in the Lyth Valley.

Heading west to Raven’s Lodge, we walked across and up a large limestone slab to reach the woodland and path up to Whitbarrow Scar, eventually reaching Lord’s Seat (666ft). Margaret was our tour guide for most of the walk, having lived and walked around the area for many years. The view from the Scar is a fine 360o panorama of fells near and far, which she identified for us. The Scar is also home to a wide variety of low-lying colourful wild flowers, many of which escaped our identification!

 

The route gradually descended to The Row and onward to the Lyth Country House B&B, taking the public footpath by the side of this to a stone barn, where we stopped and had a snack break – in the shade! The temperature must have been mid-twenties by this point, with a blazing sun overhead! We spotted glamping yurts, with wooden outbuildings (toilet block?) in the field adjacent to the B&B – presumably for guests when the B&B is booked as a wedding venue?

The route continued on a mixture of green lanes, fields and lanes. Most green lanes were neatly strimmed, only 1 section with brambles and nettles. There was much doffing of sunhats in the shady sections to allow excess heat to escape from our heads! We eventually arrived at Underbarrow Church for a much-needed lunch stop away from the blazing sun!

From here we wound our way to Cunswick Scar, although by this point a couple of us were suffering in the heat so we omitted the 600m backtrack to the actual summit (679ft). Another snack stop in the shade here, before descending the scar to the quarry carpark between Cunswick and Scout Scars.

From the car park, the ascent up Scout Scar was gradual and short, with the summit (771) and its ‘mushroom’ soon reached – the highest point on today’s walk. Ann and Andy opted to plod on along the scar rather than ascend to the summit – conservation of energy! The group soon reformed to descend Scout Scar and walk to Helsington church – another snack stop!

From here it was a gradual descent along grassy paths and tracks to reach Levens village, and water-bottle refill for Andy from a local resident – what a relief! Tilly hadn’t quite exhausted her water supply, trotting along nimbly at Andy’s heels all day despite her thick layer of dog hair – amazing hound!

All tarmac (boo!) from here back to Gilpin Bridge Inn for much needed iced soft drinks (thank you Neil) and onward to our melting cars! The rain Ann had prayed for all day only materialised on the drive home (from Lancaster south), although it arrived at 7pm on Arnside Knott just as Margaret was leading  a short evening walk there.

This is a lovely route, with extensive views of the Lakeland, Bowland, Dales and Howgills fells. The full walk route and description can be found on the Lakeland ldwa website – we made a few detours to allow for the heat and bull-in-field (encountered on the recce the previous week).

BUT, probably best walked in April before the undergrowth has become overgrowth! And definitely not when blazing sun and temperatures of 25o plus! Thanks to Neil for taking the photos which can be seen 'here'