“Grange Fell is nothing on the map, everything when beneath one's feet”
A Wainwright
Heather clad slopes and rocky summits combine to make a great walk with great views throughout over the Borrowdale Valley and across Derwentwater.
“In Loving Memory of King Edward VII, Grange Fell is dedicated by his sister Louise as a sanctuary of rest and peace. Here may all beings gather strength, find in scenes of beautiful nature a cause for gratitude and love to God, giving them courage and vigour to carry on his will.”
The magnificent viewpoint of King´s How was named after the King as a memorial, and a commemorative slate plaque is situated just below the summit
Grange fell is s delightful rambling fell in the heart of the Borrowdale Valley, it's three summits all offer different views and the heather clad slopes across the fell are often good places to see Red Deer grazing.
From the bridge at Grange we will follow the Borrowdale Road north a short way, avoiding the road by walking along the river shore path until we reach the track leading into the Toutdale Valley, once past the last houses a clearing gives us views up towards Black Crag, a popular climbing crag which has the Troutdale Pinnacle route, one of the classic climbs of the Lake District.
Soon we're into the trees and climbing up beside Comb Gill, through the oak woodland. Eventually the trees thin and the gradient eases, from here it's rolling rocky outcrops until we emerge from the trees near the summit of King's How.
The views north over Derwentwater to Skiddaw are glorious, and to the south we can see over the Borrowdale Valley to Scafell Pike and Great Gable.
From the summit of King's How we follow the path to the south east, climbing towards the rocky summit of Brund Fell, the highest point of Grange Fell and another good viewpoint.
The path now brings us down onto the track to Rosthwaite, passing through the village to the River Derwent, crossing the river by either the stepping stones to the footbridge a little further along the banks.
The path now follows the shores of the river back to Grange, a short detour can be made from the path to visit Millican Dalton's cave, an old quarry working where the famous hermit lived for many years.
Soon we're at Gowder Dub, here the river is wider and in summer there are often families swimming in the water, on quieter days otters have been seen along the banks here. From Gowder Dub it's a short walk back along the track to Grange.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Grange Bridge, Borrowdale
Postcode: CA12 5UQ
Grid Reference: NY 253 174
Directions
From Keswick: Leave Keswick on the Borrowdale Road (from the mini roundabout near the co-op) Follow this road past the lake until a road leads to the right, crossing a long but narrow bridge, we will meet at the small car park on the opposite end of the bridge.
Bus Services
Grange is well served by buses, the bus stop is 100m away from the meet point.
The 78 bus runs between Keswick and Seatoller along the Borrowdale Valley.
The 77/77a runs from Keswick to Buttermere during the summer months (Easter to October Half Term).
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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Great introduction to the Lakes! Review by Penny
We were on a first visit to the Lakes and wanted a guided walk to explore a different area to where we were staying. John and Rachel provided a really good guiding duo, and after a good climb we spent the next few hours walking around the peaks. Brilliant views of Derwent Water, we also saw red deer grazing, and had a very good descent back to the car park. Level of walk comfortable for regular walkers on a first visit to the Lakes, and nice sociable group - even a glass of bubbly as one of the group was hitting her 1000th Wainwright! Thoroughly recommend LDW as a provider of guided walks - we will be back! (Posted on 31/03/2018)
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