Lake District Walks
Grange Fell
Date: 28th May 2006
Distance: 5.6 miles
Ascent: 1591 feet
Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: NY249167
Walk Summary:
A lovely fell walk visiting King's How and Brund Fell, two of the summits of Grange Fell.
Route Summary: Hollows Farm - Grange - King's How - Brund Fell - Watlendath - Watlendath Beck - High Lodore - Grange - Hollows Farm.
Pictures:
1. Derwent Water from below King's How
2. Brund Fell
3. Looking down to Castle Crag
4. King Edward's Memorial plaque
5. Approaching Brund Fell
6. Looking back at King's How
7. High Seat from Brund Fell
8. Great Crag
9. The lovely view of Watlendath Tarn
10. The scenic footbridge over Watlendath Beck
11. Watlendath Beck
12. One of the attractive waterfalls in Ashness Wood
Walk Detail: After our exertions over the previous couple of days Lisa and Dave did not fancy another walk and so while they had a leisurely breakfast before packing the tents up I set off for a quick walk up on to nearby Grange Fell.
The climb up through the woods to King’s How was much steeper than anticipated and I did wonder what on earth I was doing - certainly my calves were not impressed! However, it was still a relatively short climb and the reward of the views from King’s How were more than ample compensation. From both King’s How and the higher Brund Fell I was treated to more excellent views of Borrowdale, Derwent Water, High Spy and Glaramara.
Probably the most interesting prospect though was the close views of the central ridge from Bleaberry Fell and High Seat to the north down to High Raise and a cameo from Pike O’Stickle. Also making prominent appearances Great Crag, Eagle Crag and Ullscarf’s lower summit Low Saddle.
The walking on the top of the fells was very pleasant but I was glad the descent to Watlendath was mainly on grass as it allowed me to make good time. At this point the skies cleared and I had the best sunshine of the weekend. Sadly it didn’t last long but it was long enough for the sunlight to accentuate the superb sudden view of Watlendath and its beautiful tarn. This quite lovely moment will stay with me for some time.
The ramble along the banks of Watlendath Beck was entirely pleasurable but by this time I had to hurry to meet Lisa and Dave. The most memorable bits of the return were the ewe and lamb using a footbridge to cross a side stream and the superb unnamed waterfalls in Ashness Wood.
A final burst of rain and a half-mile along the road did not dampen my spirits and I was very glad I’d done the walk. It made up in some way for the earlier disappointments on High Spy and Base Brown and while Grange Fell was fascinating to walk on the abiding memory of this walk will be Watlendath Tarn.
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