Borrowdale

Borrowdale

Route: Borrowdale

Area: North Western Lake District

Date of walk: 18th January 2018

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 4.2 miles

Ascent: 700 feet

Weather: Cloudy, several rain and sleet showers

The weather looked quite promising as I set off for Rosthwaite. An overnight dusting of snow showed the Borrowdale fells at their best and I was looking forward to another walk in this most beautiful of valleys. On arrival I parked in a deserted National Trust car park and walked past Yew Tree Farm along a track which is part of the Cumbria Way. After walking beside the River Derwent for a short distance I crossed New Bridge and left the Cumbria Way to climb up Lingy Bank. Last night’s snow made the going quite slippery at times

Near the top of the bank the weather started to deteriorate  and as I rejoined the Cumbria Way near the foot of Castle Crag there was a torrential shower of sleety rain, or perhaps it was rainy sleet. Either way, it was unpleasant and the camera had to be stowed away. The timing of the downpour was bad as this section of the path is exceptionally beautiful with far ranging views ahead to the Skiddaw fells. These were completely obscured today. Earlier on I’d toyed with the idea of climbing Castle Crag but in view of the conditions I walked straight past it and descended as quickly as I could into Low Hows Wood

The path eventually arrives down by the banks of the Derwent and here I started the return leg through the woods, following a path which is beside the river for much of the way. More heavy showers accompanied me until I reached New Bridge again and from here I retraced my steps back to the start. I could have wished for better weather today, but scenery such as this never disappoints and it was an enjoyable walk

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