Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy and Castle Crag
                 
       
Date                   6/5/2006  

CATBELLS - No Keswick holiday is consummated without a visit to Catbells.

MAIDEN MOOR - all is grassy here, without as much as a stone to sit on or an outcrop to recline against.

HIGH SPY - the view is extensive and generally good

CASTLE CRAG - photographers (who have a habit of taking backwards steps when composing their pictures) should take care lest they suddenly disappear. (referring to the quarry on the summit)

A. Wainwright

   
Walks done by: Jed, Paul and Susan      
Weather:  Dry with sunny spells. A slight haze for most of the day      
Distance 9.5 miles.      
Started at: Skelgill      
Height:-        
Catbells 1480'      

Maiden Moor

1887'  
High Spy 2143'  
Castle Crag 951'  
         

We arrived slightly later than planned due to a vintage car holding us up for most of the way between Ambleside and Keswick. Consequently we found it difficult to get a car parking space, but eventually we found one at Skelgill. We set off taking the path from Skelgill up to Skelgill Bank, which is actually a better gradient than the path from Hawes End. Soon we were on the ridge and heading for the summit. It was warm and sunny and it was nice not to have to wear jackets/kagools etc. After a brief rest and taking in the views from the summit we headed for Maiden Moor. After Hause Gate we stopped and had half an hour for lunch, something we haven't done on recent walks, and settled down to enjoy the views way below us and across Derwentwater to Bleaberry Fell

It had been quiet busy but beyond Maiden Moor there were few people. We made our way to High Spy which we had to ourselves for a time, them made our way down through Rigghead quarries and on to Castle Crag. From there we went to Grange and had a well needed cup of tea before heading off to the landing stage at Brandelhow Bay where we caught the launch to Hawes End. Wearily, we walked the last mile back to the car. Twenty minutes later we were in the Swinside Inn quaffing a well earned mead or two.

A great walk with great views - brilliant!!
 
 
 
The western slope of Cat Bells from the start of the walk
  
Looking across to Causey Pike (in centre of photo)
 
Derwentwater and Blencathra in the distance
 
The path on to the main ridge of Cat Bells - the actual summit is far left
 
     
 

On the section, where a little scrambling is required, there is a plaque dedicated to Thomas Arthur Leonard. Thomas Arthur Leonard was a Victorian who we owe much to today, although he is a largely forgotton nowadays. To read more about this great man click here - it's an article by the Guardian

We saw three plaques on today's walk.

  
     
This is the view on reaching the main ridge - Cat Bells with Maiden Moor beyond
And this view is looking back along the ridge. Skiddaw is in the distance
Paul and Susan on the steep section to the summit....
..and here descending Cat Bells on the way to Maiden Moor
           
 
Hause Gate, and the path to Maiden Moor is busy
 
           
 
Hause Gate and the path to Maiden Moor  
           
 
This is the house on Brandelhow Point, way below our picnic spot near Hause Gate  
     
 
Derwentwater, from the climb up Maiden Moor from Hause Gate  
     
 
Looking back to Catbells - the paths going down from Hause Gate are visible, with the one going down to Derwentwater the more popular one  
     
 
Looking back to Cat Bells
  
           
 
Susan and Paul on Eel Crags with the ravine of Far Tongue Gill beyond them
  
           
 
Zooming in on Susan and Paul
 
           
 
Susan and Paul on High Spy summit  
           
 
Descending through Rigghead Quarries
  
           
 
 
The descent route down Tongue Gill
  
           
 
Approaching Castle Crag (on right)  
           
 
The view from the top of Castle Crag  
                 
             
    Fell walkers have a lot to thank Agnes Hamer for. As Wainwright says, Castle Crag is in the most beautiful square mile of Lakeland      
             
   
 
Susan takes in the views across to Grange Fell
 
   
 
The western side of Cast Crag as he head down to catch the ferry  
   
 

Paul and I at the cafe in Grange.

  
   
 
Castle Crag (centre) from the path to Brandelhow landing stage
  
   
 
Abbott's Bay with Brandelhow showing through the trees  
   
 
Hawes End and journeys end, just the walk back to the car to do.  
   

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