Route: Glaramara and Allen Crags
Area: Southern Lake District
Date of walk: 16th August 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.4 miles
Ascent: 2,800 feet
Weather: Sun and blue skies but hazy
It was forecast to be a scorching hot day, and so it proved to be, and since I was taking our retriever Bonnie with me I needed to plan a route with plenty of water about. Glaramara fits the bill as there’s an ascent via a gill, numerous tarns along the tops, and a descent along Grains Gill which has numerous rocky pools
I set off early and after parking in Seathwaite followed the path through the farm, turning off after a short distance to start the long climb up to Glaramara via Hind Gill. The path is faint in parts and disappears altogether on several occasions but as long as the gill is kept to the left there are no difficulties
Eventually Glaramara comes into sight, though there’s a sting in the tail before the summit is gained in the shape of a steep rock step where hands are needed. Bonnie and I scrambled up together and we both emerged panting. Despite the sunshine the views were rather poor and were spoilt by the haze
I made my way along the knobbly ridge, with numerous twists and turns, to Allen Crags. From there it was an easy descent to the crossroads of paths below Esk Hause where I turned right to walk towards the imposing face of Great End. The last leg of the journey was the long but easy descent alongside Ruddy Gill and Grains Gill back to the start
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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
Sunset over Lorton Vale the night before the walk
Early next morning, a red squirrel in the garden…
…and another one (longer ear tufts)
On the way to Seathwaite I stopped the car at Crummock Water to take a couple of photos…
Start of the walk from Seathwaite, with Seathwaite Fell looking over it
I follow the valley path for a short distance before turning off to the left, and will return along it at the end of the walk
This is where the collar work begins as I cross Hind Gill and then follow a path (of sorts) to the right of it
Looking back over the valley to Taylorgill Force
Luckily I was in shade for much of the ascent
Derwent Water and Skiddaw come into view in the distance
Looking back down to Seathwaite
My walking companion today - Bonnie
Great Gable and Green Gable
After a long climb I arrive at the rock step where hands, and claws (in Bonnie’s case), have to be deployed
Summit of Glaramara ahead
Great Gable from Glaramara
A rather hazy view of Derwent Water and Skiddaw
Ill Crag and Great End as I make my way over the the second summit of Glaramara on the right
I follow the knobbly ridge to Allen Crags ahead, with Esk Pike and Ill Crag beyond
Bowfell and Esk Pike beyond the tarn
Great End
Another bathing opportunity for Bonnie - High House Tarn
Allen Crags ahead
Summit of Allen Crags with Great End in the background
Sprinkling Tarn and a great view of Great Gable from Allen Crags
Esk Hause - I’ll turn right before the hause
Herdy in front of Great End as I look to my right…
…and looking to my left the Langdale Pikes, and Windermere in the distance
The junction before Esk Hause where I turn off to head towards Ruddy Gill
Great End and Great Gable
The start of the long walk back down to Seathwaite
Derwent Water, and Glaramara to the right, summit out of picture
Looking back to the awesome crags of Great End
Time for another swim
I cross the wooden footbridge over the gill…
…and then Stockley Bridge
Looking back up Grains Gill towards Allen Crags
Half dog, half fish
A last look back as I near the end of the walk
I pass by my original ascent path to Glaramara - on the right is Hind Crag
Back to Seathwaite
