Hard Knott

Hard Knott

Southern Lake District

Route: Hard Knott

Area: Southern Lake District

Date of walk: 3rd July 2013

Walkers: Andrew Gilly and James

Distance: 7 miles

Ascent: 1,400 feet

We parked at Jubilee Bridge, at the foot of the Hardknott Pass, and walked through Brotherilkeld and along Lingcove Beck as far as the head of the valley. This was a beautiful section of the walk, and the terrain got better and better the further we ascended, with not another person in sight

Lingcove Beck was in full spate following the recent rainy weather, and higher up there was a succession of roaring waterfalls

All too soon it was time to leave the beck and head on up the grassy, and sometimes pathless, slopes of Hard Knott. There were lots of ups and downs until we finally made the summit (1,803 feet)

We had some great views of the Scafells, and though the weather deteriorated as time went on, we could clearly see the Isle of Man from the top

An easy descent then followed to the summit of the Hardknott Pass, where we greeted a lady cyclist with a round of applause – she said it was the hardest thing she’d done in her life. It was then an easy descent back to Jubilee Bridge via the Roman fort known as Hardknott Castle

We all agreed that it had been a red letter day, with stunning scenery around us every step of the way

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