Trail (UK)

MOUNTAIN RIDGE

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1

NY236309 From the small parking lay-by, head north-east on the road momentaril­y and take the track on the right marked ‘Public Footpath Barkbeth ½ mile’ by a fingerpost sign. Cross a stream and follow the path northeast. Pass under power lines and alongside a row of gorse bushes. The grassy track swings 90° right and climbs south-south-east next to a line of hawthorn trees before turning sharply left towards a drystone wall. Go through two gates as you continue north-east, and then loop south on grassy track towards the base of Watches’ north ridge. Go over a stile to the left of a gate, continue south and south-east on a good track briefly before forking right at a junction. Turn right again and climb a grassy trod south-west up Watches. Ahead the ridge ascent is straightfo­rward. Pass the little col at Ling How and climb south on the very clear path up the ridge to finally reach the summit of Ullock Pike.

2

NY244287 Descend south-east off the rocky summit on a wide, good path. Go over a craggy hump before dropping down gently to the col below Long Side. Ahead the ascent is simple, sticking to the crest of the ridge on a wide, stony path. Arrive at the summit of Long

Side, which is marked by a stony cairn to the left of the path. Descend east on the wide path, guided by a couple of large cairns.

At the col between Long

Side and Carl

Side, ignore a path to the left which bypasses Carl Side and aims straight for Skiddaw, and instead fork right. Climb the easy grassy slopes to the pile of stones marking Carl Side’s summit. Turn left, descend north to Carlside Tarn, and fork left on a diagonal path climbing steeply north-east up scree. After a long and arduous slog, emerge at the summit ridge next to a rudimentar­y wind shelter. Turn left and head north past several large cairns to a little col before completing the final short push to the summit, which has a trig pillar and large wind shelter.

3

NY260290 From the summit trig pillar, head north-west over rough ground.

The descent aims north-west for Randel Crag over pathless scree slopes, and in the absence of a recognised line you’re left to pick your own way down. It’s tough going and somewhat unpleasant, but never exposed or technical (if

you hate scree you might prefer to descend via Bakestall and the Cumbria Way to Peter House Farm). Beyond the scree, you’ll arrive at flatter, grassier terrain and here a trod emerges. Follow this north-west to the prominent, well-built cairn at the top of Randel Crag. Continue downhill, sticking to the path which guides you over scree, rocky terrain and finally grassier ground to reach the rocky excrescenc­e of Buzzard Knott.

4

NY250296 Descend north-west on the grassy ridge to the small rise of Great Knott, which OS gives a spot height of 445m. Continue north on a clear grassy path, before veering slightly left off the end of the ridge away from Little Knott. Descend west and cross the little bridge over Southernda­le Beck, next to a stone sheepfold. Turn right on a wide track and head north, traversing below Watches to cross a stile. Here you simply retrace your steps, zigzagging through gates and over fields back down to the car park.

 ??  ?? Views of Bassenthwa­ite from Ullock Pike.
Views of Bassenthwa­ite from Ullock Pike.
 ??  ?? Ullock Pike and Longside Edge, as seen from near Orthwaite.
Ullock Pike and Longside Edge, as seen from near Orthwaite.

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