Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
We returned to Lakeland to complete a walk that we had intended to do the week
before but had to cancel (due to massive hangovers from the night before !!). A steep
climb initially to the first summit of Birks via Thornhow End, however a good track
and easy to follow. An exhilerating ridge walk up to St Sunday Crag with magnificent
views towards Nethermost Cove and all the drama of Striding Edge and Helvellyn
The walk starts at a car park near the Patterdale Hotel. At the time of writing it cost £4.50
for all day parking.. From the car park walk across to the Hotel and to the right behind
the building, pick up the track
All suited and booted and ready for the off
Behind the Hotel and the walker pictured has just emerged from the path on the right
The path runs through a small wooded area to a gate in the fence
Through the gate, the path veers right and cuts through a large area of bracken
Just over half a mile along the track a gate gives access to Glemara Park. For info,
the path veering left is the one to take up to Arnison Crag
Crossing through Glemara Park we see the first view of Birks. Our route will follow the
ridge line on the right and skirt round Thornhow End (the outcrop midway)
The path makes a sharp right turn as it crosses a small ghyll
Starting the climb to Thornhow End
Near a large Oak tree, take the path that branches off left to begin the steep climb
Climbing up to Thornhow End. The path is thankfully stepped to assist with the steepness
Foxgloves amidst the dense bracken
As further height is gained the path becomes less steep as it journeys towards
the Glemara Park boundary wall
Looking across to Birkhouse Moor and the path that leads up to the"Hole in the Wall"
en route to Helvellyn. Catstye Cam peeps over the ridge line
Through the gate and turn right
The path climbs the West flank of Birks
Looking West towards Sheffield Pike
A perfect place to take a quick rest from the hard climb and take in the
views across Ullswater
Slightly further on from the resting point, the path levels off. Admission time here, at
this point you need to make a pathless ascent up the flank of Birks so as to gain the
ridge line, which we failed initially to do. However, it is possible to continue along the
path to the start of the climb to St Sunday Crag pictured here straight ahead and then
double back on yourself and walk up a very well defined grassy path towards Birks
summit. We chose to make the pathless climb and get to the ridge line before you
approach the summit
Having gained the ridge line a more well defined path becomes visible
which leads to the summit of Birks
The summit cairn on Birks. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking towards Nethermost Cove
Jones having seen enough of Birks, starts to set off for St Sunday Crag
The ridge route to St Sunday Crag. We took the path that skirts the edge (on the right)
There are less adventurous paths that branch off left
There is a bit of scrambling required on the upper reaches of the ridge path
Hang on tight Sue !!
Looking back to Birks
The summit approach path
Just before we reach the summit, we stop to chat a while with these lovely people
from Australia who had just come down from the summit
Team shot at the summit of St Sunday Crag. Unfortunately our time on the summit
was curtailed due to an invasion of flying ants. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking towards Dollywaggon Pike and Nethermost Pike
Helvellyn and Striding Edge
Catstye Cam
The summit cairn on St Sunday Crag
Looking back to Ullswater
