Whiteless Pike

Whiteless Pike

North Western Lake District

Route: Whiteless Pike, Wandope and Grasmoor

Area: North Western Lake District

Date of walk: 21st May 2013

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 6.6 miles

Ascent: 2,500 feet

The object of this walk was to see the famous Rannerdale bluebells, which, contrary to their normal woodland habitat, grow in vast swathes on open fellside. I was keeping my fingers crossed that I’d got my timing right, as I was aware that they’d be late to flower this year

The pictures below show that I‘d come at the right time, and the display will continue for another couple of weeks

It was tempting to linger in the valley, but my planned route was to go up higher. I went up High Rannerdale and at the valley head turned left to climb up to Whiteless Pike (2,165 feet)

I then made the easy ascent to Wandope (2,533 feet) and finally Grasmoor (2,791 feet). The views from Grasmoor were poor as there was some low cloud, but it cleared up again along the descent via the Lad Hows ridge

Usually the highlight of a walk is its highest point, but on this occasion it was the bluebells at valley level that stole the show – what a fantastic sight!

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