Route: Falcon Crag and Ashness Bridge
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 4th March 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.7 miles
Weather: cloudy at first, gradually improving
Today’s walk was a new route for us and although it was fairly short and didn’t reach any summits, it turned out to be a mini classic, and one which I’m sure we’ll repeat in the future
We parked in the National Trust car park at Great Wood and followed the path south to the edge of the wood as far as Cat Gill. We then climbed the steep rocky path beside the gill, better tackled as an ascent rather than as a descent. On reaching the open fellside we joined the path to Bleaberry Fell, branching off right after a short distance to walk above Falcon Crag. There were superb views towards the Borrowdale fells along this section of the route
We descended to Ashness Bridge and after taking the obligatory photo from this well known beauty spot we joined a narrow path running above the road from which there were more wonderful views over Derwent Water and the surrounding fells
The path took us below Falcon Crag, descending gently all the while until we arrived back at Cat Gill. After crossing the footbridge over the gill we retraced our steps back to the start through Great Wood
It was an enjoyable walk every step of the way, and 2 hours very well spent
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 we set off this morning
Great Wood at the start of today’s walk
We branch off to climb up beside Cat Gill
Looking back down the path
Bonnie
Waterfalls along the way…
A view back as Derwent Water comes into view, and Catbells on the left
Borrowdale beyond the cleft of Cat Gill
Grisedale Pike
Looking back down the path as we climb above the tree line
Borrowdale again
Walking across Low Moss
The path to Bleaberry Fell - we branch off to the right after following it for a short distance
Catbells on the far shore of the lake
Borrowdale fells
Looking back to Bassenthwaite Lake beyond Derwent Water and its islands, and Keswick on the right
Lord’s Island and behind it Derwent Isle, the only inhabited island in the Lake District which is open to visitors
Looking back to the path we’d followed earlier, with Skiddaw in the background
Beautiful Borrowdale…
Ashness Farm
We turn right here and follow the sign to Ashness Bridge
The view towards Skiddaw from Ashness Bridge
Start of the return leg to Great Wood, with views of Derwent Water on our left…
Skiddaw in the clouds
Catbells, and the distinctive pointed top of Causey Pike beyond
Looking back to Borrowdale…
…and the head of Derwent Water
We pass below Falcon Crag, having walked above it earlier
Skiddaw
We arrive back in Great Wood and cross the footbridge over Cat Gill
From the gill we retrace our steps to the start of a wonderful short walk
Back home, a red squirrel in the garden …
…and a yellowhammer
