A splendid ridge route and a walk through the ‘other’ Borrowdale. A visit in June or July is highly recommended to capture the wild flowers and meadows at their very best. The chances are you won’t see a single sole on this walk, only singing birds, insects and fell ponies.
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Huck’s Bridge > Breasthigh Road > Dennison Hill > Whinash > Winterscleugh > Roundthwaite Common > Belt Howe > Casterfell Hill > Jeffrey’s Mount > Low Barrow > Low Barrowdale > High Barrowdale > Huck’s Bridge
Parking area at Huck’s Bridge
On the old A6 road between Shap and Kendal, there are two parking areas at Huck’s Bridge. The larger one is 200 yards south of the bridge, but we were a little sneaky and chose this one near High Borrow Bridge Farm. Please note the dangers of fast moving traffic on this road. High Borrow Bridge Farm was formerly, during the 19th century, the Bay Horse public house.
Ashstead Fell from Borrowdale Head
On leaving the bridge the speeding traffic is soon forgotten as we enter Borrowdale.
Pipers Hill from Breasthigh Road
Breasthigh Road was part of an old parkhorse route linking Kendal with Bretherdale and Orton. These old roads were vital for trade, and in most cases avoided the marshy valley bottoms and peaty sections of higher ground.
High Borrowdale from Breasthigh Road
Ashstead Fell from Breasthigh Road
Following Breasthigh Road to the Whinash Ridge
Looking back to Ashstead Fell and Borrowdale Head
Looking back to Pipers Hill from the Whinash Ridge path
The summit of Dennison Hill
Whinash from the path from Dennison Hill
Mabbin Crag and Ashstead Fell from Borrowdale Edge
Looking down to High Borrowdale from Borrowdale Edge
Shap Pink Quarry from the summit of Whinash
Approaching the north top of Winterscleugh
Winterscleugh from the summit of Winterscleugh’s north top
The summit of Winterscleugh
Happy feet on Winterscleugh
Frankie resting on Winterscleugh
Approaching the summit of Roundthwaite Common
Jeffrey’s Mount, Casterfell Hill and Belt Howe from Roundthwaite Common
Looking back towards Borrowdale from the summit of Belt Howe
Looking back to Belt Howe from the ascent of Casterfell Hill
Jeffrey’s Mount from the summit of Casterfell Hill
Wild ponies on Jeffrey’s Mount
Shap Pink Quarry from Jeffrey’s Mount
The Pennines from the summit of Jeffrey’s Mount
The River Lune and M6 from the south ridge of Jeffrey’s Mount
Looking back at the south ridge of Jeffrey’s Mount
Following the farm lane through Borrowdale Wood
Lychnis flos-cuculi, commonly called ragged-robin
Foxgloves along the farm lane in Low Borrowdale
Dactylorhiza maculata, commonly called heath spotted-orchid or moorland spotted
Dropping down to Borrow Beck
White Moss and Shooter Howe over Borrow Beck
Roundthwaite Common from Low Borrowdale
Male stonechat in Low Borrowdale
Mabbin Crag over Borrow Beck
Castle Fell over hay meadows of Low Borrowdale
Low Borrowdale Farm
Bridleway leading to High Borrowdale
Mabbin Crag from the bridleway
Ashstead Fell and Borrowdale Edge from High Borrowdale
The ruins of High Borrowdale Farm
Bridleway through the hay meadows of High Borrowdale
Picnic at the hay meadows
Hay meadows in High Borrowdale
Bridge over Borrow Beck
Narthecium ossifragum, commonly known as bog asphodel
Looking back towards Borrowdale Edge over Borrow Beck
Filipendula ulmaria, commonly known as meadowsweet or mead wort
Stepping stones over Borrow Beck
Huck’s Bridge at Borrowdale Head