The days are getting longer, the Snowdrops are growing, and if you are blindly optimistic you could even think spring is in the air. At this time of year, we usually dust off our walking boots and start trying to get fit in time for those long fell days in the summer.
So here is our guide to three of the best walks you can do, made even better by the fact you can leave your car at home and finish at a great pub afterwards.
Cheers!
Helvellyn and the Kings Head
It is hard to think of anywhere more wonderful to be on a nice day than at the top of Helvellyn. Scafell Pike (978m) might beat Helvellyn (950m) in terms of height, but the few metres Helvellyn lacks are more than made up for by the glorious views it gives across the Lake District and the Pennines.
There are lots of different ways to get up Helvellyn. Those with a good head for heights might want to test their nerve on Striding and Swirral Edge. If you are up for a big day out, then you might want to traverse Helvellyn as part of a trip along glorious ridge taking in Dollywagon and Nethermost Pikes.
However, for those who want to find a route up the mountain that is purely a walk without the excitement of other approaches, a steep but straightforward path heads up from Thirlspot, on the eastern shore of Thirlmere.
This route is also conveniently served by the 555 bus, which travels between Kendal and Keswick. Perhaps more importantly there is also a bus stop conveniently near the Kings Head, where you can slake your thirst after a hard day’s walking.
Stickle Tarn and the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Great Langdale is deservedly one of the most famous and photographed locations in The Lake District, mostly due to its majestic ‘Langdale Pikes’ which can be seen from miles around.
Not surprisingly it is one of the most popular places for visitors as well and in the high season it’s best to arrive early before the car parks fill up. However, it is thankfully easy to pick up the 516 Langdale Rambler bus from Windermere or Ambleside and avoid the rush.
The Langdale Rambler stops at various spots down the valley, which is the starting point for some of the most scenic walks in Lakeland.
One of our favourite trips is the walk up to Stickle Tarn.
Stickle Tarn is a high mountain lake overlooked by the impressive Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle. In the winter time this is a scene to rival The Alps and in the summer a place where you can happily spend a few hours picnicking or even taking a dip in the tarn.
The tarn is reached via a well maintained path that begins at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and runs alongside Stickle Ghyll. While more sedate visitors will enjoy relaxing by the tarn, enthusiastic walkers can continue upward and onward to the surrounding fells.
No matter how far you decide to go, the New Dungeon Ghyll pub, with its Walkers’ Bar, is a welcome sight as you return from the fells.
Coniston Old Man and the Black Bull Inn
As well as being famous in its own right as a Lake District beauty spot, Coniston is also synonymous with the peaceful Coniston Water, the majestic fell the ‘Old Man’ which overlooks the village and, finally, an award winning brewery.
The 505 bus travels to Coniston from Windermere and Ambleside and routes up the Old Man begin right from the town centre. You can take your pick as to which route you take to the top, from well trodden paths to lesser visited and exciting scrambles.
Whichever route you take, the reward of the views across the fells and Coniston Water towards the coast are well worth the effort.
For us, as you might have guessed, the secondary reward always comes in the form of a pint of Coniston Brewery’s Bluebird Bitter at the Black Bull.
