Route: Barrow
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 29th December 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.4 miles
Weather: Cloudy with some sunny patches at first. Very windy where exposed
The weather was dull in the morning, with low cloud shrouding the fells. However the weather forecast gave cause for optimism, with sunny spells predicted from noon. We decided to climb Barrow, which we’d last visited a year ago. Barrow is a relatively small fell at a height of 1,494 feet, but ‘it is set in a wonderful position overlooking a scene as fair as any in the kingdom’ in the words of Wainwright.
We parked in the village of Braithwaite and shortly after passing by the village shop we turned off the road and joined the track leading up to Braithwaite Lodge. Beyond the lodge we were soon climbing up open fellside, following the line of the ridge to the top of Barrow. Just as forecast there were some patches of sunshine as we ascended, which enhanced the superb views over Newlands Valley, Derwent Water, Blencathra and Bassenthwaite Lake.
By the time we reached the summit the clouds had rolled in again and it was blowing a gale, so we didn’t linger there and without ado started the descent, which must be one of the easiest in lakeland. We first descended to Barrow Door and then followed the gentle path which leads as straight as an arrow back into Braithwaite to end a great little walk
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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
Red squirrel at breakfast on the day of the walk...
Start of the walk as we follow Coledale Beck from the parking space by the Old Methodist Chapel in Braithwaite
We pass by the village shop
After a couple of minutes we turn off the road and follow the driveway to Braithwaite Lodge
Looking back to Braithwaite
Braithwaite Lodge ahead
We pass through the farmyard
The path to Newlands had been Plan B in case the fells were clouded over - we follow it for a short distance and then turn right up the fellside
Looking back over Braithwaite Lodge to Skiddaw, which failed to make an appearance today
Looking back over Braithwaite and the lodge to Bassenthwaite Lake
Blease Fell above the woodland...
...and again, a little higher up, with Keswick on the right
Braithwaite Lodge, Braithwaite and Braithwaite How
Derwent Water comes into view on the far side of Newlands Valley
Gilly admires the view back towards Keswick
Newlands Valley again, with Catbells on the left
The path to Barrow, with Outerside on the right
Looking back towards Skiddaw
Bassenthwaite Lake
Catbells and Newlands again
Bonnie, her first fell walk after a knee replacement
Derwent Water
Swinside, scarred by forestry works, and Keswick beyond
Portinscale, Keswick and Blease Fell
Looking back down the ridge
Grisedale Pike on our right...
....and Newlands Valley on our left
Another view back down our path, with Skiddaw still in the clouds
Dale Head as we approach the summit of Barrow
Causey Pike from the summit of Barrow
High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth from Barrow
Outerside is ahead, and this makes for an ideal extension of the route, but we didn't have time today
We descend to Barrow Door
At Barrow Door below we will turn right sharp right
Our destination, Braithwaite, comes into view below
Skiddaw, still in the clouds
Braithwaite below, and not far to go now
We look across to three walkers setting off up the slopes of Barrow, where we'd been two hours ago
