Things to do

Walking | Whinlatter Visitor Centre | Keswick and Borrowdale | Cockermouth | Further afield

Please note: Weather conditions on the mountains can change rapidly and ridges and summits are likely to be much cooler than the valleys. One should always be properly equipped with boots, warm waterproof clothing, map and compass and the knowledge of how to use them. At the Coledale Inn, we will be happy to advise you in the light of our local knowledge of the area.  

Walking

The area immediately around the Coledale Inn is some of the best walking country in the Lake District. Its deep valleys are surrounded by mountains, rising steeply from the valley floors, so height is gained quickly. There are not the crowds of the central fells, but the views are superb. The walking is good, but not dangerous with normal precautions. Some fells have steep screes which are dramatic to look at, and which may be safely viewed from the pleasant ridges above.

The closest fell to the Coledale Inn is Barrow. Not one of the highest at 455 metres or 1494 feet above sea level, it nevertheless commands good views from the summit and much of interest on its slopes. The obvious ascent from Braithwaite is along the ridge. Take the Newlands Road until a small gate reached on the right. The path leads you Braithwaite Lodge Farm. This may also be reached using a farm road from the village. From the farm, the paths heads up through bracken, with Newlands Valley on the left, and the scar of the old Barrow Mine, and on the right, Barrow Gill. Later the path changes to a walk through heather for the last 120 metres or 400 feet of altitude.

The Skiddaw range from Barrow, in winter.
The Skiddaw range from Barrow, in winter.
(Photo: ©Kevin Potts, Cramlington, Northumberland, taken on Friday 29th December 2000.)
On the summit with a small cairn one gets an excellent view of Causey Pike close at hand, as well as Robinson, Fleetwith Pike, Dale Head and Great End to the south. Derwentwater is spread out beneath one's feet. Westward, Helvellyn and the Fairfield group are visible in the distance, while northwards, the bulk of the Skiddaw range dominates.

One may return to Braithwaite by turning west from the summit and descending to the depression known as Barrow Door and then taking the path with Barrow Gill on the right down to High Coledale Farm and from there back to the Coledale Inn.

Looking east from Outerside with Barrow obscuring a view of Keswick.
Looking east from Outerside with Barrow obscuring a view of Keswick.
(Photo: ©Peter Rigg, Braithwaite Walks)
The more adventurous my wish to continue along the ridge past Barrow Door to Stile End and up the ridge to Outerside at 568 metres or 1863 feet. This summit may also be reached directly from Braithwaite via High Coledale Farm with Barrow Gill on the left as one climbs. This summit affords its own rewards in terms of views and being one of the less climbed points in the area, one has a good chance of having it to oneself, even in the summer season.

Looking north from Outerside with Braithwaite on the right. Looking due south, with Sail and Eel Crag on the right, and the path up Stonycroft Gill climbing up to Sail Pass.

Looking north from Outerside with Braithwaite on the right.
(Photo: ©Peter Rigg, Braithwaite Walks)

Looking due south, with Sail and Eel Crag on the right, and the path up Stonycroft Gill climbing up to Sail Pass.
(Photo: ©Peter Rigg, Braithwaite Walks)

Looking East from near the top of Sail, along the Causey Pike ridge.
Looking East from near the top of Sail, along the Causey Pike ridge.
(Photo: ©Peter Rigg, Braithwaite Walks)
South of Outerside one may join a well trodden route which starts with Causey Pike and takes one right round over Grisedale Pike and back to Braithwaite. The best way from Outerside is to retrace one's steps for a short distance to the depression between Outerside and Stile End and then turn right past a small tarn on your right, join an old mine road across a grassy area and then beneath some crags beside an old mine to Sail Pass. Turn right and climb to the top of Sail at 772 metres or 2530 feet.

Grisedale Pike from the top of Eel Crags. You can just see the Force Crag mine buildings in the valley.
Grisedale Pike from the top of Eel Crags. You can just see the Force Crag mine buildings in the valley.
(Photo: ©Peter Rigg, Braithwaite Walks)
Continuing to head west in half a mile or so one comes to Eel Crag 838 metres or 2749 feet. There is a depression between the two, and then a narrow ridge to the flattened summit of Eel Crag. This may be marked as Crag Hill on OS maps. From here there is an excellent view of the central fells, including Scafell Pike and in front of it, the bulk of Great Gable. Nearer is Robinson with its great crags facing you. This summit has the reputation of having some of the best views of mountains, due its location. There is a good view of the Keswick area, dominated by Skiddaw, but the Helvellyn range is also in clear view. Plan for good weather to make the most of this climb.

The next target is Coledale Hause before climbing Grisedale Pike. It is possible to descend directly to the Hause by going north, but crags and scree mean it is not recommended. Better leave the summit heading west on grass until a small beck called Gasgale Gill is reached. Keep to the right of this to the Hause which is at about 550 metres or 1800 feet. To the north is Grisedale Pike, but for the weary, a path to the south east leads round Force Crag and joins a mine road along Coledale Beck back to Braithwaite and a warm welcome at the Coledale Inn. Nobody will think the less of you!

Looking down Coledale from just below the Hause.
Looking down Coledale from just below the Hause.
(Photo: ©Peter Rigg, Braithwaite Walks)
From Coledale Hause, head north (avoiding dangerous mine shafts) until one reaches the crest of the ridge above Hobcarton Crags, then turn right, north east, and follow the ridge and the remains of a stone wall over a smaller summit to the summit of Grisedale Pike., 790 metres or 2953 feet. The view from here is excellent and takes one from the Irish Sea to the west, the Solway Firth beyond Bassenthwaite to the north, the Vale of Keswick and the distant Pennines to the east and then continuing to look clockwise, all the great fells of the Lake District and looking back over the route one has come. This is a popular fell, and in summer months, one is almost certain to have company with whom to share the joy of reaching the top.

The descent to Braithwaite is indistinct at first, but lies to the east of the summit where one will find a clear path along the ridge. The path leaves the ridge before the forestry plantation and leads down to the right, joining the Whinlatter road just above Braithwaite.

Time for a well deserved drink in the bar!

This route is sometimes referred to as "The Coledale Horseshoe". It may also be walked in the reverse direction, starting with Grisedale Pike.

Most of the pictures of the walk described here are from Peter Rigg's Braithwaite Walks website, which has details of this and many other walks which one can do when based at Braithwaite.  

Whinlatter Visitor Centre

A mile or so along the road is the Whinlatter Visitor Centre where one can learn about the life of a forest or try your hand at orienteering. This boasts it is England's only mountain forest. Whinlatter is a great place for walks and there are activities available for kids of all ages.
Part of the Adventure playground at Whinlatter.
Part of the Adventure playground at Whinlatter.
 

Keswick and Borrowdale

The old town of Keswick is the hub of the northern Lake District. It offers many facilities, including all the usual tourist attractions one would expect in the Lake District, as well as shopping. Not least Keswick now boasts a brand new theatre, the "Theatre by the Lake" which replaced the old "blue box" theatre which stood on the site for many years. This is by the landing stages where one may take a launch round the lake on Keswick Launch, or perhaps stop off on the way for a walk or at our partner hotel by the lake, Mary Mount, for lunch or a cup of tea.. The launches sail to a regular timetable and pick up and drop off at various points round the lake. For walkers. Borrowdale offers many walks of various degrees of difficulty and the upper valley is often used as the starting point for the central fells. The curious Bowder Stone may also be seen.  

Cockermouth

A market town to the north of the Lake District, this is the site of the birthplace of William Wordsworth. Less of a "tourist trap" than Keswick, Cockermouth can offer a flavour of what life is like for the locals who are lucky enough to live and work in the Lake District.  

Further afield

The whole Lake District is readily accessible from Braithwaite, situated as it is just off the A66. The Skiddaw range is not far away, and at 913 metres or 3054 feet, Skiddaw is one of the Lake District's highest mountains, and yet is a not too strenuous climb. Access to the Cumbrian coast is quick and the interesting towns of Maryport and Whitehaven are worth the visit. For the technically minded, the Visitor Centre at Sellafield makes an interesting visit. And while in that area, take a ride on the Ravenglass to Eskdale Railway.

The opportunities are endless!
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