Thursday 7th May Helvellyn - Lake District

My last full day in the Lake District and a half decent weather forecast. An earlier start for the drive Glenridding.  My route was to go up to the old mine.

Taking the zig-zag path up to Stang End visible in the centre of this photo.

With a view of an alternative route up the valley.  Catstye Cam is in the centre.

The weather was showing signs of improvement.

Looking back down the Glenridding valley with the top end of Ullswater in the distance.

Through the old workings.

My route was on the path on the right of the valley.  Raise on the left.

Getting near the top of the valley.

Looking back down - Sheffield Pike just left of centre.

The Ski Tow and hut just below the top of Raise.

Finally to the pile of stone on the ridge. Left turn here and up to Raise in the distance.

Finally as you get on top of Raise you get a first and dramatic view of Helvellyn.

On along the ridge to...

...the Cairn.

Lower Man ahead.

Spectacular views back to Ullswater.

Looking west over Browncove Crags. Thirlmere reservoir and.........

A gentle slope up to the top

Swirral Edge

At the triangulation point with Swirral Edge on the left, Red Tarn just below and Ullswater in the distance.

Striding Edge

The shelter and a place to eat lunch and have a chat! Good to get out of the strong wind for a while.

Looking back to the top.

Striding Edge

Harrop Tarn below where I was on Monday.

Striding Edge

My route back was to follow the ridge line south - Nethermost Pike ahead.

Dollywagon Pike

Then out of the wind and down the very steep zig-zag path to Grisdale Tarn.

Into the Grisdale valley

Looking back up to Dollywagon Pike.

The view back up the Grisdale valley.

The lower part of the Grisdale valley and possibly one of the most beautiful valleys I have ever walked through.

Up to Lanty's Tarn.

Finally back into Glenridding with a view of the start of the walk and with the Mine in the centre.

A spectackular view over Glenridding and Ullswater.

Tuesday 22nd April Steeperton Tor

A much longer 'picnic' walk today starting at Belstone and following the ridge all around Taw Marsh.  Fine sunny weather but with a cooling breeze.

We followed the track out below Belstone Tor. We heard the cuckoo for the first time this year.  Two of them flying around above us before settling on the tor above.

Up through the clitter....

...to Belstone Tors with this view across to High Willhayes.  A phone call from Anne - they had been delayed and assuming we had gone the other way round had started going up Cosdon Hill.  Agreed we would meet them for lunch on Steeperton Tor.

Belstone Tors

Across the valley to Cosdon Beacon

Higher Tor and East Mill Tor  behind

Knatborough Tor in the foreground, Oke Tor in the middle and Steeperton to the left.  Hangingstone Hill in the far distance.

Oke Tor where we stopped for coffee.

On towards Steeperton but with a diversion to this old Observation Post - used by the military.

Up the steep bit to the top of Steeperton Tor with this view across to  Wild Tor and Watern Tor

Along the top of Steeperton Tor where we stopped for lunch where with perfect timing we were joined by Anne and Laura.

The Range hut and flag pole where a red flag is raised when the area is being used by the milatary.

The area of Taw marsh below and our route here on the left.....

 ....and the ridge line on the right of Taw marsh towards Cosdon Hill

The stone circle and White Moor Stone in the distance near Little Hound Tor

Looking back at the stone circle  with Fernworthy forest in the distance

Onwards and upwards to Cosdon Beacon

Then the long descent back to Belstone

Belstone

A final view back towards  Ottery Tor

With Stella, Brenda, Jane, Anne, Laura and Terry

Sunday 19th April Tavy Cleave

A lovely sunny Sunday afternoon. I parked at Lane End and the plan was to go into Tavy Cleave from the other side of the river - a route I haven't walked before.

I walked back along the road and too the Lych Way  past Higher Willsworthy farm and down to...

 ...the longest wooden footbrige on Dartmoor...

...and followed the narrow strip of moorland alongside the river. The gorse out and at its best.  Probably better this year than I can remember.

I followed the wall north on the east side of Standon Hill. The Tavy came into view. Nat Tor is extreme left with Ger Tor in the middle.

I contoured northwards to this prominant rock (which is not named) on the opposite side of the valley to Ger Tor

Onwards towards where the river  turns into the Cleave and fine view down.  Sharp Tor is the more dominant Tor with Tavy Cleave Tors behind.

Down to the river for this view of the little waterfalls.

Then across to the other side for the alternative view.

I headed back using the more route on the western side of the river. Ger Tor in the distance.

On to the leat to follow this all the way out.