Route: Barrow and Outerside
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 1st December 2017
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.3 miles
Ascent: 2,000 feet
Weather: Sunny, clouded over later on, very cold
I parked in the attractive village of Braithwaite which was devastated in the December 2015 floods but has now made a full recovery. I walked out of the village in the direction of Newlands Valley, before turning off along the farm road to Braithwaite Lodge
After passing through the farm I joined the path which leads up the facing ridge to the top of Barrow. It’s a straighforward climb and it would be impossible to go astray. I kept looking back to admire the views of the Skiddaw fells
From the summit of Barrow I made my way down to Barrow Door. The next fell on the itinerary was Outerside, which looks nearby on the map but on the ground always seems to be a considerable distance away. I followed a path around the flanks of Stile End and Outerside and gained the summit via the back door
From here is was a long but easy descent back to Braithwaite via Long Moss and Stile End, with wonderful views of the Skiddaw fells ahead all the way down, a great finale to a great walk
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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Red squirrel in the garden earlier this morning...
The start of the walk as I turn left before the Royal Oak in Braithwaite
I walk along the road to Newlands and at the edge of the village branch right to Braithwaite Lodge
Looking back to the village from the track to Braithwaite Lodge
Grisedale Pike
Looking back to Braithwaite, with Bassenthwaite Lake beyond
I follow the grassy slopes up to Barrow
Looking back to the Skiddaw fells
Derwent Water
Newlands Valley below
Newlands Valley and Derwent Water
In the foreground are Outerside and Stile End - these two will be on my return route
Looking back down the path, with Braithwaite on the left
Catbells and Newlands Valley from the summit of Barrow
Skiddaw and Blencathra from the summit
My next target is the winding path in the shade which leads round the back of Outerside
Bonnie
Barrow Door, at which point the walk could be shortened by turning sharp right and returning to Braithwaite
I follow the path around the flanks of Outerside, in permanent shade at this time of year...
...resulting in an icy path at times
I leave the main path to follow a fainter one up to Outerside - this is looking across to Sail and Eel Crag
Grisedale Pike
Looking down to Force Mine Crag at the head of Coledale
Keswick and Derwent Water from the summit of Outerside
The eastern fells from the summit
Eel Crag and Coledale Hause
Descending to Stile End...
I pass by a small tarn, looking towards Skiddaw
Braithwaite comes into view
I follow the easy grassy path towards the village to end an easy but rewarding fell walk...
