TAKE-A-BREAK

The Borrowdale Valley in the English Lake District is a lovely place to take a short break, whatever the time of year, be it spring, summer, autumn or winter. All you need to enjoy the beautiful countryside is some decent weather and the opportunity to take a break.

The Summer of 2007 was pretty dire, seemed like it was nothing but wind and rain, week after week. As a consequence the annual display of the autumn colours arrived a little later than normal that year, by about 7-10 days. A planned short break to the Northern Lakes during the 3rd week of October was therefore a little earlier than I would have preferred.

A short walk of just less than 6 miles in the Borrowdale Valley was the highlight of our four day break. The walk, from Grange to Rosthwaite, just about qualifies as a circular walk as its return leg is via a detour to Castle Crag. Always a favourite for the visitor the modestly sized Castle Crag has since been made even more popular by the subsequent BBC TV series on Wainwright walks, presented by Julia Bradbury.

Busy in the Summer months and at weekends the modestly sized Castle Crag was certainly not overcrowded on this beautiful midweek day and with blue sky above we set out to enjoy the autumn parade of of colour.

It may have turned out not to have been the best display of colour I have seen in Borrowdale but as the weather was pretty good it seemed a little churlish to complain, given the summer we had just experienced. I've included over 133 pages of photographs which I took in less than 6 miles of walking. Can't wait until I have the chance to return when the Autumn colours are at their best!

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Distance : 5.6 miles / 9.02 km

Type of Walk : Part Circular

Highest Point : Castle Crag (951ft / 290m)

Total Ascent : 1180ft / 359m

Time allowed : 3.10 hours (stops not included)

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Walks Disclaimer:

The information supplied on the pages of Dales and Vales is provided in good faith, however, neither Dales and Vales or the authors can be held responsible for any inaccuracies that appear.

It is also incumbent upon each individual to assess the suitability of suggested walks, and as to whether they are within their own individual capabilities. This also applies to any site that is linked to Dales and Vales.

MAP REFERENCES
FOR WALK


Explorer OL4
The English Lakes
North-western area
Keswick, Cockermouth & Wigton


Road Location Map
Grange-in-Borrowdale


Start of Walk Map
Car Park


ROADSIDE CAR PARK
Path : 0.14 miles
Cross the road and follow an unmarked path heading south along the river bank as far as the double arched bridge. Cross the River Derwent into the village of Grange.

GRANGE
Footpath (Allerdale Ramble) : 2.5 miles
Leave Grange by a lane heading south. Marked as the "Allerdale Ramble" on the map.
(L) At the junction to Hollows Farm and continue southwards to cross a footbridge at Low Hollows Wood.
(L) Footpath through the woodland and continue close to the riverbank as far as New Bridge. Don't cross river here but continue to the Stepping Stones and cross (conditions allowing that is) Having crossed continue into Rosthwaite.

ROSTHWAITE
Footpath/Path : 1.2 miles
Taking time to take a good look around this most pleasant of Lakeland villages and take in some refreshment if required we eventually leave the village along the same footpath as we entered, but now we do not cross the Stepping Stones but continue northwards, crossing the river at New Bridge.
(R) over the bridge we retrace our steps as far as a gated stile
(L) Over the stile and we start the ascent to Castle Crag via a grass footpath path. and then steeper path via a slated footpath.

CASTLE CRAG (951ft / 289m)
Path/Footpath : 1.4 miles
Descend via westerly path/footpath to "Allerdale Ramble" footpath.
(R) turn onto footpath and north, making a gradual descent by Broadslack Gill to a footbridge.
(L) over footbridge to continue north to Grange.

GRANGE
Path : 0.14 miles
Leave Grange by crossing the bridge and retracing the riverside path back to the car park.

ROADSIDE CAR PARK - End of Walk