Lat/Long: 54.564649, -2.874359
OS Grid Ref: NY 43561 19176
I had a very foggy and dark drive north along the M6. By the
time reached the Shap summit the weather seemed to be
brightening a bit. Because the new Pooley Bridge isn’t ready yet
I had to drive via Eamont Bridge to get to the start of my walk.
My plan was to start from St Martin’s Church in Martindale but
decided to change to St Peter’s at the top of the Hause climb. |
Heading into Martindale |
The Nab in the distance |
'The Bungalow' was formerly a shooting lodge built in 1910 by
Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale for the visiting German
Emperor Wilhelm II (1859-1941) the eldest grandchild of Queen
Victoria. He was the last German Emperor. |
|
There is easier parking there and more room. I walked down the
hill towards St Martin’s Church. It was still gloomy and cloudy
ahead but seemed to be clearing higher up. I followed the road
towards Dale Head until I reached the gate and access track to
the Bungalow. I walked this way last week and was intrigued by
the building though didn’t go close to it. The map doesn’t show
any public footpaths and I’m not sure what the access situation
is. A sign says private no public access but a sign says it is
available for weekly lets. |
The Bungalow and cairn |
|
A. Wainwright's book says he investigated the area
unobtrusively. I decided on the same approach. I walked along
the track to the bridge and gate at Rampsgill Beck. There were
no more signs and the gate wasn’t locked. I had a quick look at
the lower building then walked up the steep track to the
Bungalow. It has a very distinctive colour of green corrugated
iron walls and a bright red roof. |
Looking down on The Bungalow |
|
I saw a few deer up on the fell side but have seen further down
the valley in public access areas. A faint sheep track headed
steeply up the side of Mell Beck so I followed it to the gate
through the wall higher up. The gradient eased as I approached
Gowk Hill from the south. The views were very good and helped by
improving weather. The summit was fairly flat and only a single
stone marked the summit. |
Gowk Hill summit |
|
This must be the smallest summit cairn. I followed a faint path
to the north but it soon vanished. A steep grassy descent took
me down to the main path towards Brownthwaite Crag. I followed
the path north then down to the wall where there is no stile to
cross over. |
Solitary stone marks Gowk Hill
summit |
Brownthwaite Crag to Steel Knotts |
To Steel Knotts |
On Steel Knotts |
Martindale. |
St Peter's Church. |
Ullswater. |
St Peter's Church. |
|
I had to climb over to continue. Up ahead I could see walker
approaching and we exchanged brief hellos as I headed up
Pikewassa and on to Steel Knotts. There was a bit of sunshine as
I wandered along the easy ridge then steeply down Steel End to
the flat path below. I turned left to walk back towards St
Peter’s Church. On the way I notices some iron manhole lids
which I assume is on the line of the water main that comes over
from Boredale Hause. |
