Lat/Long: 54.620946, -03.057037
OS Grid ref: NY 31844 25603
I reached the deserted car
park above Threlkeld and set off walking up the lane towards the
Blencathra Centre. The weather was gloomy but I could still see
some of the surrounding hill summits. I reached the entrance to
the Centre where a sign described some of the schemes linked to
it. I wandered between the carious buildings but didn’t see a
single person or any sign of life. It was interesting to see a
sign saying ‘Mountain Spring Water – Fill your bottle up here’
with a tap below it. |
Entrance to Blencathra Centre |
One of many Blencathra buildings |
Mountain Spring Water and tap |
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I turned it and water came out. At the last building I followed
a narrow path down through a field and by some woods to a narrow
lane. I turned right here and headed up a muddy track towards
Glenderaterra Beck. It continued up the valley to a group of
ruined mine buildings on the far side of the river. It appears
that the track would originally have crossed by a bridge that is
now long gone. |
Looking back down the valley |
Presumably the generator water supply |
Water intake building for
generators |
|
I stayed on the same side of the river and followed a faint path
to a stone building which appears to be part of the water intake
to a power generating project connected with the Blencathra
Centre. As I continued up the valley I saw more remains of old
lead mine workings. At the main track I continued up towards
Skiddaw House but stopped at the gate before the final approach.
Here I turned left to follow the path by the wall up to Burn
Horse ridge. |
Looking back down Burnt Horse Ridge |
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The hazy views opened up as I got higher. As I looked down into
the valley below I could see even more ruins from previous
mining works including a terrace of cottages. When I reached the
high cove I took a line up the gully opposite to reach Lonscale
Fell summit. On previous visits I’ve used the main path along
the ridge to the SE. This time I decided to try a minor path
I’ve not used before that descends almost due south. All went
well until the path was supposed to turn SE but vanished
completely. I decided to take the direct and steep route down to
the main path below. |
Lonscale Fell summit cairn |
Derwentwater from the descent of Lonscale Fell |
Looking across Latrigg |
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I turned right to continue to the car park at the top of the
Applethwaite Road. I turned left to follow the muddy track to
the east which descended steadily towards Brundholme. I was
surprised to see a lot of people walking up the track towards
me. When I reached the narrow lane the road to the right
(towards Keswick) had a road closed sign across it. |
Rebuilding the bridge over the Greta |
|
I turned left to head down
to the valley bottom where the Glenderatarra Beck meets the
River Greta. There was a construction site by the road where the
old railway bridge over the Greta was being rebuilt to
re-connect the footpath. I continued up the narrow lane to
Wescoe. It’s the first time I’ve been on this road. I followed
it back to Threlkeld, the car park and my car. |
Bridge repairs |
Looking back up Lonscale Fell |
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