“on the north side the Fairfield range is magnificent: here are dark precipices, long fans of scree, abrupt crags, desolate combs and deep valleys: a tangle of rough country, small in extent but full of interest, and well worth the exploration”
A Wainwright
A circuit of the fells surrounding Patterdale gives a wonderful long days walking, a challenge for even the experienced walker.
This route includes some of the best summits in the area including St Sundays Crag, Fairfield, Red Screes and High Street. A great way to see the eastern fells.
“For a few miles along the road from Patterdale to Kirkstone, Hartsop Dodd has the form of a steep sided conical hill, rising like a giant tumulus from the flat floor of the valley”
A Wainwright
From Patterdale we will head up the ridge behind the Patterdale Hotel, climbing by Black Crag to Birks, our first summit of the day, following the ridge west from the grassy summit to climb to the wonderful St Sundays Crag.
From St Sundays Crag the ridge continues west crossing Deepdale Hause before climbing over the rocky Cofa Pike to the summit of Fairfield, the highest point on today’s route.
From Fairfield we will follow the ridge south east crossing Hart Crag to Dove Crag before descending to Little Hart Crag.
From Little Hart Crag we will follow the wall crossing Scandale Pass before climbing to the summit of Red Screes.
The steep descent east from Red Screes brings us down to the Kirkstone Pass, roughly the half way point for the day.
Crossing the road we will follow the ridge up St Ravens Edge to the summit of Caudale Moor before crossing Threshthwaite Mouth to our final tough climb of the day up onto Thornthwaite Crag.
From Thornthwaite Crag the terrain is much easier, following the Roman Road up onto the summit of High Street before crossing to the summit of The Knott and descending by Angle Tarn to the Angletarn Pikes and Boredale Hause where an easy path descends to Rookings and Patterdale.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Patterdale Hotel, Patterdale
Postcode: CA11 0NL
Grid Reference: NY 397 158
Directions
From the South Lakes: From the A591 between Ambleside and Windermere turn onto the A592. Follow this road over the Kirkstone Pass descending to Brothers Water. After the road passes a turning to the right, continue past Brothers Water to the village of Patterdale where the Patterdale Hotel will be seen to the left, we will meet outside the Hotel entrance, a pay and display car park is opposite the hotel.
From the North Lakes: From the A66 between Keswick and Penrith turn off onto the A592, near the Rheged Centre, signposted to Ullswater, follow this road south along the shore of Ullswater past the villages of Glenridding to Patterdale. The Patterdale Hotel will be seen on the right hand side, we will meet outside the Hotel entrance, a pay and display car park is opposite the hotel.
Bus Services
Glenridding is served by a seasonal bus service from Ambleside and a more regular service from Penrith.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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