Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
Since we completed our 214 Wainwright Challenge last year (2023) on Great Gable
and then choosing to take on the Outlying Fells, we made the decision to get all
the "hard uns" done straight away in what is supposed to be "Summer Weather ?".
Of all the Shap circular walks we have done to date - this is bar far the best one
in that there is actually a good path to follow more or less throughout once the
initial pathless slog up to High House Bank is done and the bulk of the climbing
completed. This walk starts from Hause Foot which is at the end of a single track
farm road off the A6 travelling northbound and just past Kendal Caravans.
This shot is taken looking back down the farm track towards the A6 passing above
The start point of the walk, free but very limited parking, its best to check with the farmers.
The grass verge I'm parked on could possibly take 2 cars and is very conveniently
right by the starting off path
This very short path leads up the bank as it swings left and is terminated
very abruptly by a fence
Looking back towards Hause Foot farm
After crossing the fence, access is gained to the open fell side. It is completely
pathless, just aim for the higher ground
Looking left towards the Farm track with the A6 passing above
As you ascend the open fell side veer left slightly towards a broken wall when
it comes into view. There is drier ground along here
Once over the broken wall veer slightly right and further up aim for another wall
Once the wall and fence have been negotiated carry straight on upwards
to the obvious high point. Again there is no path
Looking across to Ashstead Fell from near the summit of High House Bank
The summit of High House Bank. Click here for a 360 degree view
From the summit a path leads to a subsiduary cairn on the way back down to
the farm road, should you wish to get off the fell early
From the summit there are fine views to be had. Here, way below is Crookdale Beck
What follows now is some really fine walking on a well defined path that leads
directly to Robin Hood and Lords Seat further on
Little and Great Yarlside across the Crookdale valley from the path to Robin Hood
Looking left down into Borrowdale with parts of the Kentmere Horseshoe in the background
The path ahead towards Robin Hood, very easy walking with wonderful views
The well defined track leads downwards to lower ground. Pass through the first
gate to walk across some boggy ground
The path leads upwards again past a belt of crags which can be avoided by keeping right
Past the crags now and the path swings left as it climbs towards the summit
Looking back towards High House Bank
On the summit approach to Robin Hood, there is a fine cairn at a lower height
that if visited provides a fine view down the length of Borrowdale. The true
summit is the obvious high point
Sue and Spud at the lower cairn
The beautiful Borrowdale valley
On the summit of Robin Hood. Click here for a 360 degree view
From the summit we follow the very well defined track towards Lords Seat.
Very pleasant walking
As you approach the summit a very faint trod branches off left towards the small summit cairn
At the summit cairn. A lovely spot for lunch. Click here for a 360 degree view
Spuds waits patiently for his dinner
We stayed for some considerable while on the summit, just taking in the
magnificent views down the Borrowdale valley. At this point you have a choice
of return. You can drop down left (when facing where you have come from) and
descend to the Crookdale valley floor and follow the Beck back towards
Hause Foot. Wainwright says of this ....
"Crookdale Beck pursues a sinuous course of loops and bends from its headwaters on
Grey Crag to its emergence from the shallow valley that it has carved and nowhere in
the five mile journey occur any features worthy of mention to relieve the drab monotomy of
the enclosing slopes, too gently graded to be exiting, and the marshy valley floor of which
in a lifetime one experience is enough"
We decided to reverse the route of travel and stay on the excellent foot path
Our return to the car and the rather lovely Crookdale Bridge
