Route: Latrigg
Area: Northern Lake District
Date of walk: 15th December 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.1 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Weather: A few sunny patches, freezing on the top
We were last on Latrigg a year ago and as before we parked near Spooney Green Lane and followed the lane uphill. After crossing the bridge over the busy A66 we started the easy climb around the flanks of the fell following a path which is part of the Cumbria Way. After a short distance we left the Cumbria Way to turn sharp right at a finger post pointing up to Latrigg. It’s an easy climb and before long we were at the summit of Latrigg enjoying some fabulous views of the snow clad fells beyond Keswick and Derwent Water
Although Latrigg offers big views it’s a small fell and so we were below the snow line, although the paths were icy in places and we had to watch our steps
The classic return leg along the old railway path is still out of bounds as a result of the 2015 floods so when we reached the foot of the fell we followed the permitted forest track through Brundholme Wood. As was the case last year, forestry operations were in progress and the area was a mess. In retrospect it would have been better to follow the parallel metalled track a little further below. In the end we went off piste to join this track and from here walked along the lower slopes of Latrigg, just above the noisy A66, until we arrived back at the Cumbria Way and retraced our steps back to the start
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The start of the walk as we follow Spooney Green Lane towards Latrigg up on the right
We cross the bridge over the busy A66
Looking across to Underskiddaw
We follow the path around the western flanks of Latrigg
An early view over Keswick and the North Western fells, but there is better to come...
Bassenthwaite Lake
Underscar Manor at the foot of Skiddaw
We continue along the Cumbria Way
Another view across to the foothills of Skiddaw
Zigzags in the path level out the gradient and make this an easy climb
Keswick and Derwent Water
Looking back along our path...
...and again, this time towards Bassenthwaite Lake
Dodd, with Skiddaw in the clouds
Bench below the summit of Latrigg - but it was too cold to linger there today
Catbells
Keswick and Derwent Water
Looking into the Newlands Valley
Newlands Valley and Robinson
Summit of Latrigg, looking back to the bench
We continue north along the ridge in the direction of Blencathra
Looking back to Derwent Water...
...and to the North West fells
Great Mell Fell
Sign indicating that the old railway path is still out of bounds
A view back as we continue to descend the ridge
The North Pennines in the distance
Great Mell Fell again as we continue down the ridge
Clough Head, and the A66 below
A couple of the locals
Looking back to Catbells, which enjoyed some lovely light today
We'd normally carry on to the old railway path, but the bridge was destroyed in the 2015 floods and hasn't been replaced, so we start the return journey just beyond this point
The path is initially a promising one, but it soon goes downhill - in all senses
Brundholme Wood - beyond this point the path deteriorates and provides little pleasure
The views are restricted by trees but we enjoy a brief glimpse of Castlehead and Derwent Water through the trees
Just beyond this point we arrive back at the Cumbria Way and retrace our steps back to the start of a (mostly) wonderful walk
