Route: Latrigg
Area: Northern Lake District
Date of walk: 30th January 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.2 miles
Ascent: 1,100 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny, fresh snow on the fells
Latrigg is one of the lower lakeland fells, but punches well above its weight in terms of the views from its summit. These are superior (in my opinion) to those from Skiddaw, which towers up behind it and is nearly 2,000 feet higher. With fresh snow on the ground, and with the promise of some sun and good visibility, it would make an ideal choice for today’s walk
We parked as usual on the roadside at Briar Rigg and walked up Spooney Green Lane, crossing the bridge over the busy A66 along the way. After a while we joined the path leading to the top of Latrigg. The climbing was easy throughout, although we were glad to be wearing microspikes over our boots, as the paths were slippery
Before long we arrived at the wonderfully situated bench near the summit. We’d been keenly anticipating this moment and weren’t disappointed. The view was as glorious as I’ve ever seen it – the rooftops of Keswick below, the mirror like surface of Derwent Water beyond, and an array of snow capped lakeland peaks, all displayed in pleasing light
It was hard to turn our backs on such a scene but eventually it was time to descend, and we followed the ridge in an easterly direction, with views of Blencathra, Great Mell Fell and the Pennines ahead of us. At the end of the ridge we turned back west and followed a path through Brundholme Wood. This descended gently to the bank of the River Greta, where we joined the track which is the site of the old Keswick railway line. This took us along the banks of the river and into the outskirts of Keswick
After walking past the former railway station we joined the Briar Rigg road, and from here it was a short stroll back to the start of a wonderful walk
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
Dusk over Crummock Water yesterday
Next morning, the start of the walk as we head along Spooney Green Lane, with Latrigg to the right
Dodd, and a glimpse of Bassenthwaite Lake on the left
The path, part of the Cumbria Way, snakes around the lower flanks of Latrigg
Barrow and Outerside in the foreground
The path follows the edge of the woodland
We emerge onto open fellside
A bleak scene as we walk below Skiddaw
Looking back to Derwent Water
Grisedale Pike to the right
A lone clump of trees at the foot of Lonscale Fell
The foot of Derwent Water
Bassenthwaite Lake between Sale Fell and Dodd
After various zigzags in the path, we now aim for the summit
Keswick and Derwent Water
The North Western Fells in all their glory
Bassenthwaite
The Bench
Zooming in on Catbells left of centre
The wonderful view over Keswick and Derwent Water from the lower summit ridge
We continue to head up the ridge
Looking across to Clough Head, in the clouds, and to Low Rigg
Grisedale Pike
As we were plodding up the slopes we had several enjoyable chats with Kevin from Sunderland, who was enjoying the conditions as much as we were
The clouds gradually parted as we continued along the summit ridge...
Looking towards Bassenthwaite
Panorama (click to view)
Derwent Water
Grisedale Pike right of picture
Bonnie, now recovered from her knee replacement operation and happy to be back on the fells
Looking back along the ridge
Descending now, with the Pennines in the distance
Great Mell Fell
St John's in the Vale and some of the eastern fells...
Looking back
Blease Fell ahead, with Blencathra in the clouds
Kevin overtakes us - again
Blease Fell
Great Mell Fell ahead
Looking across towards Clough Head
We've been heading east for a while, but we now round this corner to head back to the start...
Catbells and the some of the north western fells
We follow this metalled track for a while....
...and then a narrow path through Brundholme Wood...
...and finally we join the old railway line
We pass below the A66
Footbridge over the River Greta
End of the line as we arrive at the former Keswick railway station - from here it's a short stroll along the road back to the end of a superb walk
Later that day, a red squirrel in the garden
