Date: Tuesday 15th April 2014
Route: Borrowdale Circular
Distance: 7 miles
After a punishing ascent of Skiddaw the day before, the
circular walk around Borrowdale from the Pathfinder Guide to Lake District
Walks seemed like a good option – not only because it goes through possibly
“the loveliest valley in England”, but also because it contains the very
welcome introductory sentence, “this is a low-level walk throughout.”
I have to confess that our previous experience with this
walk was not a good one – when we tried it in May 2009 we got soaked to the skin
by the unrelenting rain and ended up walking along the top of a (very wet)
dry-stone wall and finally the road to escape the rising waters of the
overflowing river Derwent.
Luckily, this time around we had the benefit of a perfect
day – lots of sunshine, clear blue skies and all of those stereotypically
lovely Lake District moments – spectacular scenery, sunlight reflecting off the
water, lambs leaping around on the hillsides and Wordworthian daffodils swaying
in the breeze.
The walk begins and ends at the village of Seatoller, at the
base of the Honister Pass, and quickly leaves the village behind to head over
the hillside and on towards the imposing Castle Crag, looking down on the
village of Rosthwaite before joining the banks of the River Derwent. The
walking is easy, the scenery is spectacular and the temptation to take
photographs is constant.
Once past a campsite it is an easy walk to the village of
Grange, where unhappy memories of sitting dripping wet and miserable a few
years are replaced by the warm and fuzzy feeling that only a big pot of tea and
home-made gingerbread can dispel.
The route back to Seatoller is less taxing and mainly
follows the river, first through woodland and then across fields, with plenty
more “wow” moments in terms of views. A
lovely, straightforward walk through beautiful Lakeland countryside.
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