Route: Borrowdale
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 12th February 2017
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.1 miles
Weather: Overcast, very cold and windy
I drove over the Honister Pass to Borrowdale with two possible walks in mind, one at high level and the other low. When I got out of the car in Seatoller a howling and freezing cold wind persuaded me to stay low, and so without reluctance I walked out of the village and climbed up to join the heavenly path which runs high above the west side of Borrowdale
I walked past the base of Castle Crag and then started the descent to the floor of the valley. I arrived at the River Derwent and started the return journey here, passing through Low and High Hows Wood.
When I arrived at historic New Bridge, which has recently been repaired following flood damage, I crossed over it when my original plan was to stay on the west bank of the river. It wasn’t an issue as I was able to cross back over the stepping stones a few hundred yards further upstream
I then followed the path beside the river back to the start. It had been an enjoyable walk in one of lakeland’s most beautiful valleys
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
Red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
The start of the walk as I follow the road out of Seatoller
Looking back as I gradually gain height…
The heavenly path leading past Castle Crag
Looking back to the Borrowdale fells
There are wonderful views down into Borrowdale along this section of the walk…
Eagle Crag
Approaching Castle Crag - the lowliest of the Wainwrights but one of the best
Bonnie
Borrowdale and Eagle Crag again
Looking back along the path
Castle Crag
As I pass Castle Crag, the path starts to descend - Skiddaw fells in the distance beyond Keswick
Entering High Hows Wood
I cross Broadslack Gill
The River Derwent
Following the Cumbria Way
I pass by a disused quarry
Emerging from High Hows Wood
The River Derwent, which will be my companion for the remainder of the walk
Historic New Bridge near Rosthwaite - the restoration works following the December 2015 floods are almost complete
The cobbled path leading from the bridge
Crossing the bridge meant that I had to re-cross the Derwent via the stepping stones - I could and should have stayed on the alternative path on the far bank
I pass through the hamlet of Longthwaite…
…and through ‘Boot Camp’ at YHA Borrowdale
I’m not sure where the River Derwent ends and Nichol Dub starts - this is one or the other
Chains along a rocky section above the river
The path to Seatoller
Folly Bridge leading to Mountain View
Seatoller is just around the corner, the end of a great walk in one of lakeland’s most beautiful valleys
Back home, more garden wildlife - a brambling…
Siskin
Yellowhammer
…and a couple of red squirrels
