Duddon valley circular walk along the old road,
visiting Penn
1 May 2007
After a morning visit to Grasmere where we had a good lunch sitting outside in
the sun at the Ash Tree Coffee Shop, a late afternoon walk was planned.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-155720_small.jpg)
Having parked the car near Logan Beck Bridge, we walk along the road down into
the Duddon valley; looking back we can see Buck Barrow, Plough Fell and Whitfell.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-161404_small.jpg)
Having passed through Beckfoot, we take the path north through the woods along
the eastern edge of Ulpha Park up the Duddon valley
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-163544_small.jpg)
The bluebells are looking very attractive.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-164942_small.jpg)
Ellie and Henry in the bluebells
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-164954_small.jpg)
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-165614_small.jpg)
As we near the northern end of Forge Wood, the river approaches close to the
path
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-171335_small.jpg)
We turn left and left again to head SSW up the hill, and now look back up the
Duddon valley, with Wallowbarrow (or Wallabarra) Crag prominent centre-right,
and the mass of Grey Friar behind and to the right.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-171659_small.jpg)
From a bit further up the "road", another look back up the Duddon
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-172533_small.jpg)
Here the old road meets the bridleway from Millbrow
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-172611_small.jpg)
The road continues "unsuitable for motor vehicles", though it is hardly any
worse on the other side of the sign.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-172746_small.jpg)
Looking up the old road to the ruins of Frith Hall
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-173644_small.jpg)
From further up the road, looking back past Frith Hall
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-173706_small.jpg)
A close-up. Frith Hall was built as a hunting lodge for the Hudleston family
from Millom Castle. Later it became an inn near the road up the valley. Later
still it became a farm, and now stands derelict.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-175446_small.jpg)
We then walked through forest to reach the open spaces of the diminutive hill
named Penn. There is a stile in the northern-most corner, and a gate (which can
be climbed though not opened) a few hundred metres to its south along the old
road.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-181136_small.jpg)
From the summit of Penn, looking towards the Duddon estuary.
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-181150_small.jpg)
From the same spot, looking up the Duddon - the Scafells are on the left, Harter
Fell centre-left, and to its right are Bowfell and Crinkle Crags, the Langdale
Pikes, Pike O'Blisco, then Grey Friar rising into the rest of the Coniston Fells
![](../../images/2007/2007-05/2007-05-01-183901_small.jpg)
Back at the car, a final look at Penn.
The is a hill which has always attracted
my eye on journeys by car over the Corney Fell road, and it was good to visit it
at last. The GPS recorded a total of 8.14km and 317 metres of ascent, taking 2
hours 46 minutes including 46 minutes stopped.
Lake District holiday, April/May 2007
|
|