4 miles
3 hours
When the Winter weather hits Britain I find myself
irresistibly drawn to the Lake District. It isn't that the hills of the Peak
District lack beauty in the snow, the Kinder plateau after a heavy snowfall can
be one of the most beautiful places in Britain, but there is an added majesty
to seeing the taller peaks of Cumbria topped with a dusting of the white stuff.
Of all the Lake District village my favourite has to be Grasmere, not only does
it have the Wordsworthian associations (he is buried in the graveyard and spent
much of his life in the area) and a fantastic Youth Hostel it allows easy
access to a huge range of classic fells.
I leave the village
behind and head up the ever narrowing road fringed by skeletal trees. Ahead of
me sits the imposing yet familiar outline of Helm Crag, known to Lakeland
doyenne Alfred Wainwright as "The Lion and the lamb" There is frost on the grass as I crunch my
way across the flagged path that leads me through Grasmere Common. I start the
slow, steady climb that closely follows the tumbling, frothing waters of
Sourmilk Gill. The Gill ends at one of the most beautiful bodies of water in
the Lake District, Easedale Tarn. it is the archetypal Lakeland tarn surrounded
by imposing rocky crags which today are mirrored in the mirror still water in
front of me. This has long been one of the most popular spots in the area and
in Victorian times there was even a refreshment stand catering to walkers.
I leave the tarn
behind and follow the narrow path up towards Blea Crag. I start to pass through
patches of slushy snow as I continue to climb, eventually attaining the saddle
where the snow lies a little thicker. From the top I can look into Langdale and
across to the white topped Pikes, but the wind is getting up and the
temperature dropping so I press on passing tiny tarns dotted with miniature
icebergs. I drop down to Blindman's Moss fighting my way through the fragrant,
scrubby Juniper before I eventually end up on the path that follows Sourmilk
Gill back into the valley and a very welcome pint in front of a log fire.
I very much
hope that you enjoy reading about my walks as much as I enjoy undertaking them.
If you have any questions or enquiries about either my articles or guided
walking in the UK please feel free to visit my webpage at
www.comewalkwithmeuk.co.uk or e-mail me at Ian@comewalkwithmeuk.co.uk . Liking
my facebook page or following me on twitter @cwwmuk will help you keep up to
date with all my latest walks and general outdoor news. In the meantime, enjoy
the ramblings of a rambler...
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM
COME WALK WITH ME!
