Hart Side

27 May 2011

Another long weekend in the Lake District began somewhat drearily, but with the cloud reasonably high, so George and I set off for north of Ullswater where we parked in the free car park on the A5091 near Aira Force. From there a short walk brought us to Brunt Crag where we joined the path over Round How.

This ladder stile has seen better days, and wasn't a lot of help in crossing the stone wall onto the north side of the wall.

Looking ahead along Common Fell and Watermillock Common which hide Hart Side behind them.

South along the upper part of Ullswater.

We gradually turned the corner and contoured along the side of Glencoyne, looking forward to Glencoyne Head

One of the streams running down from Hart Side that form Deepdale Slack. Here we turned off the path and climbed the steep but grassy slopes without difficulty

Looking back along Glencoyne as we gain height. You can see the head of another walker who is doing the same, finding his own slightly different route.

On the top of Hart Side, looking over Green Side to Helvellyn in the clouds.

Looking the other way across the foothills of Lakeland to the escarpment of the northern Pennines.

This ditch is prominent on the summit of Hart Side, and with the little wall just visible provided a nice sheltered spot for lunch - it was very windy away from that shelter.

On Green Side. The pointed summit Catstycam is visible, but its higher neighbour Helvellyn is still in the clouds.

Gradually descending from Green Side towards the pass of Nick Head

Helvellyn finally emerging from the clouds.

Having reached Nick Head, it is again a contouring route around Glencoyne - the path can just be seen above the scree slopes on the left.

Heading towards the waterfalls seen earlier

We used the lower path through Glencoyne Park on our way back

It was pleasant enough, but not especially delightful as Wainwright had suggested. Still, it was more interesting than retracing the same steps all the way back.

And so that completes my (first) visits to Wainwright's Eastern Fells.

A very pleasant walk - Glencoyne valley in particular was lovely.

Total distance 13.6 km and 775 metres of ascent in 4 hours 52 mins