Route: Ladyside Pike, Hopegill Head and Whiteside
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 18th April 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.0 miles
Ascent: 2,500 feet
Weather: perfect
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday I was walking in mist with a bitterly cold wind, today it was wall to wall blue sky and sunshine all day
I set off from Millbeck early in the morning so as to be on the tops before the bank holiday walkers (anyone else following this route is recommended to start from the small parking space by Swinside, shown on the Google map)
I followed the ridge line of Swinside and Ladyside Pike heading towards the fearsome looking rock slabs that lead to the summit of Hopegill Head. They are easier to ascend than appears, though hands are needed at times – and I wouldn’t like to descend this way
There then followed my favourite half mile in Lakeland – the wonderful ridge walk from Hopegill Head to Whiteside. The views were fantastic. I visited both of Whiteside’s tops, returning to climb down the ridge leading to Dodd. It was a morning that will linger long in the memory
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
The moon over the Loweswater Fells just before I set off this morning
Looking back to Mellbreak as I set off from Millbeck
Walking along the lane towards Hopebeck
That’s where I’m aiming to be later
The gated road to Swinside - many drivers have cursed their satnavs at this point
Looking back down Lorton Vale on a glorious morning
Climbing Swinside, and looking back over Lorton. Criffel in Scotland can be seen in the distance
Bonnie checks out the way ahead
Looking across to the Whinlatter Pass
Summit of Ladyside Pike, looking back to Cockermouth and the coastal plain
Hopegill Head ahead
Seen from here, the way up looks quite intimidating
Keep to the right - Hobcarton Crags are on the left
Hobcarton Crags - or some of them
Looking back to Ladyside Pike and Swinside
From the summit of Hopegill Head, looking along Hobcarton Crag to Grisedale Pike
Causey Pike is the pointed fell over there, but my route lies the other way……
.....this way - along the wonderful ridge from Hopegill Head to Whiteside
Towards the end of the ridge Crummock Water comes into view, overlooked by Mellbreak
Looking back along the ridge to Hopegill Head
Crummock Water and Mellbreak again
Gasgale Gill
Zooming in over Lorton and Cockermoth to the Solway Firth and Criffel in Scotland
From Whiteside, looking down across Gasgale Gill to the slopes of Grasmoor
On the way down from Whiteside and heading towards Lorton Dodd
From the lower slopes of Dodd, looking back up to Ladyside Pike and Hopegill Head
Herdies
Almost back to Millbeck
I’ll shortly be turning right down the outgang, just before Miller Place ahead
The lane leading back to Millbeck
Back to the start - what a fantastic walk
