Haweswater, Heron Crag, High Street, High Raise, Low Raise, Whelter Bottom, Cumbria.
[ 14.5 km] Thu 28th Feb 2008

I arrived at the car park at the south end of Haweswater under a gloomy sky and very slight rain. However some clear patches seemed to be around so I wasn’t too disheartened as I set off round the reservoir. It was only 7:45am when I arrived but I wasn’t the first. A couple of men set off just before me. I headed SW then took the path over Mardale Beck and along the water’s edge towards The Rigg. Before I got there I cut of to the left and followed a very steep path up to Swine Crag to meet the main path which starts from The Rigg. I got to the wall and had a nice view across Haweswater.

Looking down the ridge above Riggindale

I was hoping for clearer weather so that I could recreate a panoramic shot I’d taken from this same spot over 5 years ago. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t suitable but I took a few snaps anyway. I plodded on up the ridge and the very slight rain stopped. It also began to get considerably colder and I was soon walking with my gloved hands in my pockets. I now had a very nice view onto Blea Water and across the small tarn on Riggindale Crag. A few patches of sunshine managed to break through but it still seemed to get even colder as I climbed.

Approaching the top on Long Stile and the summit of High Street I looked for some shelter from the biting wind so I could sit down and eat my sandwiches. I found a nice grassy spot even though it was rather exposed. I was sitting comfortably when I saw a large bird soaring below. It was just skimming the valley bottom but was too far away to see any detail. I used my binoculars the get a better view and saw that it was almost all wing. It turned out to be the last Golden Eagle in England. I didn’t see it for very long but was ever so glad I did. I continued the short climb up to High Street and Racecourse Hill. I walked along the edge of the ridge so I could look down into the valley but didn’t get another view of the eagle.

Small Tarn near High Raise

I’d done all the hard work for the day and could concentrate on the views around as I walked towards Rampsgill Head. I continued north to High Raise then left the main path to strike out to the north east towards Low Raise and the distinctive cairn profile. The cairn is large and circular and shown on the map as an ancient feature. I carried on in the same direction until I came to the edge of Whelter Crags. I thought it would be nice to walk along the edge to get the full view of the valley below. Just as I got there I looked down to see group of red deer who had already noticed my presence and were moving away at high speed. Further to the north was Bason Crag and the gradient down to the valley eased enough for me to start my descent.

I took my time and enjoyed the view. Across I could see the distinctive outline of Castle Crag and the site of the ancient Hill Fort. Down in Whelter Bottom I came across some ancient walls and then a sheepfold. A bit further down was a ruin that could have been an old house but there was no way of telling. I continued down until I came to the main Haweswater path. As I walked along I met the first people of the day. I reached Bowderthwaite Bridge to look out across the reservoir which was now overflowing. When I was here in Aug 2005 the level was so low I could walk out over one of the Mardale Village foot bridges. I continued along the path and returned to the car park which was now nearly full.

Haweswater Reservoir.