Glenridding to Helvellyn - Cumbria 31 May 2014.

Glenridding to Helvellyn and Return 
Cumbria
Distance 16km Climb 890m
Saturday 31 May 2014

Number 1 in ITV's Britain's Favourite Walks shown January 2018.

It has took me a little time to actually write up this walk. We left the van in the car park at the bottom of Glenridding (130m), it was a lovely bright and clear day and once we were sorted we walked the street that would take us up onto the path that would lead us up towards the Youth Hostel. I have done this walk a number of times now and it was good to see the nice weather.

At the Youth Hostel we just carried on the track as it turned south west and started to climb further.

It was along here we started passing a group of Duke of Edinburgh students, we would pass them a few times today. When we stopped for a rest they would pass us and when they stopped we passed them.

The path started twisting and turning as it climbed and we could see to our west the ridge we would take up to Helvellyn.

The views were stunning, we could see in the distance a very small patch of snow.

Looking down the length of the valley we could see the route we had taken up, with Ullswater in the distance.

Red Tarn with Striding Edge from the side of Helvellyn, look at that view.

After a short break we started down Striding Edge.

Once we had gathered at the bottom of Striding Edge we continued east, north easterly, along a well marked path.

At the track junction we turned west again to take us up towards the Red Tarn, where we crossed the Red Tarn Beck.

Once over Red Tarn Beck we took the path north east wards that followed by the beck.

It did not take us long to reach the track and stream junction above the Youth Hostel, where we had walked earlier in the day.

We were back on the path we had started out on from Glenridding. After a short stop at the Travellers Rest we walked back to the van at the carpark in Glenridding.

A good days walking, we had covered approx 16k with 890m climb, excellent, brilliant thanks lads.

More to follow


Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Cumbria or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Moray Way Day 5 - Carron to Grantown-on-Spey 29 May 2014.

Moray Way, Carron to Grantown-on-Spey - Day 5
Distance 35.4km Climb 502m
Thursday 29 May 2014

We woke on the last morning of our walk early at the Grantown-on-Spey Caravan Park. We had made good time on the route, even though as I have said I think the Walkers Shortbread map was not as accurate on the parts along the coast or forests as it was on the disused railway lines. Never mind we would still finish the walk today.

I drove us to the start at Carron, where there is a closed distillery shown on the map. I think at times these distillery's are opened and closed as business demand and the economy go up and down.

We continued west along the disused railway line from Carron, the going was good and easy and we were walking to the time and distance appreciation as used on other days when on the disused railway lines.

The disused railway passes through little stations attached to distilleries, another at Knockando then on to Tamdhu, where The Moray Way turns south.

Blacksboat was next, where we had a short stop.

As we walked along we passed a couple of groups walking the other way, many had drinks, whiskey, obviously on the world famous whiskey trail.

Then Ballindalloch.

A further 2 km down the railway line we turned south up a little track that was a little climb up to the A95.

A few hundred meters west along the road and we were on country paths heading south west, heading for the Wood of Knockfrink.

There was a little climb, through a small wood and there were a number of walker gates.  This led us onto a forest track that started as a gentle climb.

The path climbed and dropped in places and did not follow the line as shown on the map with many twists and turns. Our time appreciation was out again.

We passed a couple of walkers going the other way, apparently there had been three of them, there was now two. Good luck, I wondered if they finished.

Passing through Mains of Dalvey, we had another short climb through Tom an Uird Wood. Part of The Way again twisted and turned through the wood, before we walked back down to join the A95 again.

We crossed the road and joined a grass path, walking was flat and passed part of Cromdale. It had been arranged to meet up with Susan, however we missed her and so continued on.

Cromdale station had lots of old advertisement's, some I am sure I remember from my childhood.

On the road now heading north west we passed an old Kirk with the following plague. Then it was over a bridge that crossed back over the Spey. Not far now.

As we crossed the bridge a number of large cars passed with fishing rods on, everyone looked very well to do.

We were then into Anagach Woods, not far now, this would take us direct into Grantown-on-Spey.

Again the path twisted and turned through the wood.

The area turned into park land and the signs were a little confusing and we came out a little further than intended. So once we reached the road and we turned and walked back into the town where we met Susan.

Rather than walk back to the camp site to finish the Moray Way where we started we stopped and had something to eat and a few drinks in a premature ending celebration. Doner kebab and chips in the local pub followed by a few drinks, many of the people we had passed on the whiskey trail earlier in the day where in the pub, drinking again. We finally left the pub and walked back up the road to the Grantown-on-Spey Caravan Park entrance to finish the walk. I liked this campsite and would like to come back again.

Well that was it, another walk done. We had covered over 35km approx. with a 502m climb in 11 hours.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Moray Way or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to previous day, Day 4 Garmouth to Carron.