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Eskdale

Date ... Sunday, 28 June 2009
Distance ... 9.50 miles
Ascent ... 1510 feet
Time ... 6 hours 30 mins
Weather ... 24ºc, light winds, cloudy with some sunny spells and a few light showers
Summits ... None
Start ... Hollins Farm camp site, Boot in Eskdale (NY177009)
Maps ... Ordnance Survey - Outdoor Leisure Nº6 (1:25,000) or Landranger Nº89 (1:50,000)
Books ... Pictorial Guide Nº 4 - The Southern Fells by Alfred Wainwright (ISBN 9780711224575)


slideshow View the photo's from this walk as a slideshow ...

We had planned to do Sca Fell Pike and Slight Side, but the weather was far too hot and humid again for a walk on the high fells without water for Tim. So we decided to explore the upper part of the Eskdale valley instead. The first part of the walk followed the same route as the previous day as far as Penny Hill Farm. We then paid a visit to the old Roman Fort at Hardknott before dropping back down into the valley and walking up to Lingcove Bridge. We spent quite a while playing around in the river with Tim and taking photos, before a leisurely walk back to the camp site, stopping for refreshments at The Woolpack Inn along the way.

the route map from our walk

The route map from our walk

Back at Doctor Bridge again!

Back at Doctor Bridge again!

I didn't get much chance to take photos before Tim was in the river splashing around!

I didn't get much chance to take photos before Tim was in the river splashing around!

The lane leading to Penny Hill Farm

The lane leading to Penny Hill Farm

Penny Hill Farm with Great Barrow behind

Penny Hill Farm with Great Barrow behind

Looking up at the route we took the previous day when we visited Green Crag

Looking up at the route we took the previous day when we visited Green Crag

Heading through the Eskdale meadows, with Harter Fell dominating the skyline

Heading through the Eskdale meadows, with Harter Fell dominating the skyline

Sheena and Tim enjoyed walking through the woods on this part of the walk, the tree's provided some welcome shade

Sheena and Tim enjoyed walking through the woods on this part of the walk, the tree's provided some welcome shade

Looking along the valley to the distant Bow Fell

Looking along the valley to the distant Bow Fell

Crossing Hardknott Gill at the Jubilee Bridge parking area

Crossing Hardknott Gill at the Jubilee Bridge parking area

From Jubilee Bridge we walked up the road to reach the remains of Hardknott Roman Fort

From Jubilee Bridge we walked up the road to reach the remains of Hardknott Roman Fort

Looking across to the Sca Fell's from the roman fort

Looking across to the Sca Fell's from the roman fort

Harter Fell from the same spot

Harter Fell from the same spot

Looking up towards Hardknott Pass from the roman fort

Looking up towards Hardknott Pass from the roman fort

Tim leading the way back down towards Jubilee Bridge

Tim leading the way back down towards Jubilee Bridge

There were plenty of cars attempting the drive over Hardknott Pass (I've done it once and never again!)

There were plenty of cars attempting the drive over Hardknott Pass (I've done it once and never again!)

Heading up the valley again towards Lingcove Bridge

Heading up the valley again towards Lingcove Bridge

This little bird wasn't to pleased with Tim, it kept hovering over him and chirping for ages, not sure what he had done to upset it?

This little bird wasn't to pleased with Tim, it kept hovering over him and chirping for ages, not sure what he had done to upset it?

Looking back down Eskdale, with Crook Crag and Green Crag on the skyline

Looking back down Eskdale, with Crook Crag and Green Crag on the skyline

Tim took every opportunity to cool off!

Tim took every opportunity to cool off!

The walk along the valley is dominated by Bow Fell all the way, in places you can also see Esk Pike and the Crinkle Crags

The walk along the valley is dominated by Bow Fell all the way, in places you can also see Esk Pike and the Crinkle Crags

As we approached Lingcove Bridge lots of small waterfalls started to appear in the river

As we approached Lingcove Bridge lots of small waterfalls started to appear in the river

You can just about make out Sca Fell Pike from the bridge, it's the tiny peak sticking out on the left?

You can just about make out Sca Fell Pike from the bridge, it's the tiny peak sticking out on the left?

Lingcove Bridge

Lingcove Bridge

Waterfalls in Lingcove Beck

Waterfalls in Lingcove Beck

The same waterfall, but this shot was taken from the stream bed

The same waterfall, but this shot was taken from the stream bed

This one was from further down the stream

This one was from further down the stream

Another view of Lingcove Bridge

Another view of Lingcove Bridge

As we started to head back down the valley the weather changed from bright sun to showers!

As we started to head back down the valley the weather changed from bright sun to showers!

It was still very warm and humid though, so Tim kept lying in the river to cool off when he could

It was still very warm and humid though, so Tim kept lying in the river to cool off when he could

Showers over Upper Eskdale

Showers over Upper Eskdale

Brotherilkeld Farm with Harter Fell behind

Brotherilkeld Farm with Harter Fell behind

Hardknott from the access road to Taw House

Hardknott from the access road to Taw House

Harter Fell from Wha House Farm

Harter Fell from Wha House Farm

Refreshments at The Woolpack Inn

Refreshments at The Woolpack Inn