Route: Barrow and Outerside
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 2nd December 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.3 miles
Weather: Cloudy with some bright patches
Barrow and Outerside lie in the north west Lake District overlooking Keswick, and the two fells are often combined in a single walk due to their proximity to each other
I parked in the attractive village of Braithwaite which was devastated in the December 2015 floods but has now made a full recovery. I walked out of the village in the direction of Newlands Valley, before turning off along the farm road to Braithwaite Lodge
After passing through the farm I joined the path which leads up the facing ridge to the top of Barrow. It’s a straighforward climb and it would be impossible to go astray. I kept looking back to admire the views of the Skiddaw fells, which were seen in good light as the morning sun occasionally peeped out from behind the clouds
From the summit of Barrow I made my way down to Barrow Door. The next fell on the itinerary was Outerside, which looks nearby on the map but on the ground always seems to be a considerable distance away. I followed a path around the flanks of Stile End and Outerside and gained the summit via the back door
From here is was a long but easy descent back to Braithwaite via Long Moss and Stile End, with wonderful views of the Skiddaw fells ahead all the way down, a great finale to a great walk
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk as I cross the bridge over Coledale Beck and pass by the Village Shop, which was several feet underwater this time last year
Coledale Beck, hard to imagine this was a raging torrent just 12 months ago
The farm track to Braithwaite Lodge leading out of the village
I follow this sign beneath an ancient yew tree
Looking back over Braithwaite Lodge
The first of several photos of the Skiddaw fells which were a highlight of this walk
I follow the path up the grassy slopes leading to Barrow
Looking back to Braithwaite, with a glimpse of Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance
Skiddaw fells
Onwards and upwards
Looking back
Keswick beyond Swinside
Derwent Water
The grassy slopes of Barrow
Skiddaw range and Blencathra
Looking down into Newlands
Sail and Eel Crag, with Outerside to the right
Newlands Valley and Catbells
Summit of Barrow, with Causey Pike beyond
I’m now aiming for the path ahead which contours round the flanks of Outerside
Looking back over Newlands and Skelgill Bank to the Eastern Fells
Force Crag…
…and Force Crag Mine, which is a Scheduled Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Barrow from Outerside
Looking along Stonycroft Gill to Derwent Water
Wonderful views of the Skiddaw fells ahead as I descend towards Braithwaite
Stile End
Looking back to Outerside
I follow the grassy path towards Braithwaite…
Braithwaite, and the end of another grand walk in the North West Fells
Back home, a red squirrel posing obligingly in the garden…
