Route: Seat Sandal
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 19th October 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 2,200 feet
Weather: Mixed cloud and sun
We parked in a small layby next to the bus stop near Grasmere and after walking beside the busy road for a couple of minutes we turned off to follow the path along Tongue Gill. Part of the path had been washed away during the December floods and we had to make a minor detour
It was a simple climb up to Hause Gap and after enjoying the view over Grisedale Tarn we started the final short but very steep section to the summit of Seat Sandal
The view from the summit was initially hidden as clouds blew across the top, but strong winds soon disposed of them and we were treated to a superlative view over Grasmere
The descent from the fell must be one of the best in lakeland, being at an easy gradient and commanding stunning views all the way down, though care must be taken not to trip over a passing rock whilst gawping at them
It was a great walk, enhanced by improving weather in the later stages
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We made a short detour to visit the nearby Grot at Rydal Hall before the start of today’s walk
Looking up to today’s objective as we walk beside the busy A591 for two minutes - which is two minutes too long, but all is forgiven shortly…
The start of the walk proper as we head up towards Tongue Gill
Looking across to Helmside at the foot of Steel Knott
Great Rigg on our right, leading up to Fairfield
We cross the footbridge over Little Tongue Gill
A minor diversion, caused no doubt by the December 2015 floods, but it’s of no consequence
The landslip, which we avoid by a simple climb up to our right
The next section of our route appears ahead, and will take us past the waterfalls top left
Bonnie
Grisedale Hause ahead
Just below the hause, several waterfalls flow out of Grisedale Tarn above…
Looking back towards Easedale
A couple of herdies watch us pass by
Looking back over Hause Moss
Grisedale Tarn as we make the steep climb up to the summit of Seat Sandal from the hause
After the steep but short section we make the easy climb up to the summit of Seat Sandal
Easedale and Grasmere
Clouds roll in as we arrive at the summit cairn
That view again, and the glory of this walk is that it’s in our sights for most of the descent
A subsidiary cairn, lookng towards the Steel Fell ridge
Grasmere again
Easedale Tarn
Some photos of a heavenly descent…
The Langdale Pikes in the distance beyond Easedale Tarn
Looking down to the foot of Helm Crag
Grasmere…
…and the road to Grasmere
A view back up the ridge to Seat Sandal
Looking across to Helmside
The path which leads us back to the road
At the end of a wonderful walk we pass by Broadrayne Farm Cottages and look back up to Seat Sandal
