This walk has been revised, updated and walked in the opposite direction. There are many more photographs and better descriptions - also available in two versions:
| Map: | Sheet 4 The English Lakes - North Western area |
| Start: | High Brandlehow pier (NY251197)- we travelled to the start of the walk via the Keswick launch and returned to Keswick by catching the bus from Grange Bridge (Stagecoach service 79). |
| Route: | Most of the route is easy walking alonng clear tracks and paths. The ascent of Castle Crag is steep (very steep in places) - but the views are spectacular. |
| More info. | Wikipedia entry for Castle Crag. |
| Refreshments | We enjoyed lunch at one of the tea shops in Grange and afternoon tea at the other! |
|
|
From the landing stage turn left to follow the path around the lake. Go through a gate on the left, cross a fwooden ootbridge and then pass through a kissing gate. At the junction of tracks turn right, then turn left opposite small cottage called "The Warren". Continue through wooden gate, and follow clear paths over boardwalks. We took the third path on the right (we could have turned right sooner), which took us away from the lake and to a junction of paths by a kissing gate. Through the gate, the path leads to a second kissing gate and then to a gate leading onto the road. Turn left and follow the road to the village of Grange. |
|
|
Follow the road to Grange then turn right by Grange Cafe, following the signpost to Seatoller. Turn left off the farm road, following track to campsite. At a fork in the path beyond the campsite bear left, following signpost for Rosthwaite. Continue to follow the Rosthaite sign when the path forks again below a quarry spoil heap. Leave the wood via a kissing gate then leave the Rosthwaite path by crossing stile into filed on right. The path zig-zags steeply to a wooden gate in stone wall. |
|
|
Climb another ladder stile and follow the path up towards the quarry. The path zig-zags steeply up a slate spoil heap, then continues up to the memorial at the summit. |
|
|
After admiring the views from the top.... |
|
|
... the return path retraces the route down to the quarry and the zig-zag path down the slate spoil. By the slate cairn at the foot of the zig-zag turn right. This path also zig-zags down steeply to a wire fence. Continue ahead to stile on left. Cross the stile and descend wooden steps. Go through a gap in a stone wall, then turn right onto the main path along the valley at this side of Castle Crag. Continue along this path, through a wooden gate. When the path fork, follow the route to the right, over a wooden plank bridge. When you meet the main Grange - Rossthwaite path, turn left, returning to Grange. We turned right in Grange, crossed the bridge and returned to Keswick using the bus. |
Back to:
Walks Index
Graham's Gallery -
Lake District page
Graham & Lin Dean's Home Page