Route: Cogra Moss
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 14th September 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.6 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: Sunny and very warm
Chatting to our neighbour Dave this morning, he mentioned that he was visiting Cogra Moss to carry out some voluntary work for the RSPB. This reminded us that we’ve never visited this place. We decided to remedy our omission and without ado we headed to the west of the district and parked in the small car park at Felldyke
We followed a wide track and soon arrived at the water’s edge. Cogra Moss is an artificial lake (or is it a tarn?) which was created by damming Rakegill Beck for the purpose of a reservoir, but this use was discontinued in 1975. It’s since become a very popular place for anglers fishing for rainbow trout
There are several possible routes round the lake and we’d decided to take a mid-level one which took us along the southern shore, at the end of which we forked right up a narrow path known as Donkey Trod
At the top of the trod we reached a forest track which took us above and around Cogra Moss. We then descended along a narrower path to the shore of the lake to complete the circuit, and from there we retraced our steps back to the start
It had been a very pleasant 3 hour outing (normally it would take half that time but we fell into conversation with fellow walkers on several occasions, including our neighbour – thanks again Dave for prompting us to come here). I’m sure we’ll be back again
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
Before today’s walk, I made a quick early morning visit to Crummock Water…
...and then to nearby Buttermere
A flock of Herdwick sheep and the head of Buttermere - quintessential lakeland
Looking back to Haystacks before I head back home for breakfast
A little later that morning, the start of the walk from Felldyke
We follow the sign ‘Cogra Moss ½ mile’
Looking back along the track
Further along the track
Our first glimpse of Cogra Moss
Fly fishing only is permitted here, further details available from the Cockermouth Angling Association
Looking along the lake - Blake Fell (which is a Wainwright and is at the head of the lake) can be bagged from here
Members of the Cockermouth Angling Association…
The head of the lake, and Blake Fell again
One of the small islands in the lake complete with tempting bench, though waders are needed to get to it
We branch off to the right beyond the head of the lake
The head of Cogra Moss
Buzzard - one of several we saw along the route
Looking back from Donkey Trod
We follow the forestry track as it contours round the fellside…
We meet our neighbour Dave again, he’s on RSPB duty so can use his car here
Cogra Moss. The west coast would normally be visible but it’s too hazy today
Mushrooms in the forest…
We fork left here and begin to descend back to the lake
Cogra Moss comes into view
We follow the line of the fence down to the lakeshore
Stand well clear as Bonnie does The Shake
We reach the foot of the lake
When we reach the gate this will complete the circuit
We retrace our steps back to the start
[…] not too far from home when I came across a walk around Cogra Moss that Andrew had published on his blog. I do recommend a visit of his blog if you don’t know it, you will find plenty of great walks […]
Thank you!
[…] not too far from home when I came across a walk around Cogra Moss that Andrew had published on his blog. I do recommend a visit of his blog if you don’t know it, you will find plenty of great walks […]