As part of the host of hikes pre-lockdown was this absolute gem, a full day of hiking originally intending to be a route up Skiddaw before sacking the route off due to high winds and zero visibility, and instead turning it into a memorable day collecting some of the less popular fells in the area. They might not be as high but still plenty of character.
Part 1 of the route for the day 
Lovely free flowing stream in Dodd Wood
The morning brought a decent forecast for the day but an overcast, windy morning – and pulling on my boots in a small roadside car park close to the Ravenstone Hotel it was looking promising. The route began up the forest path to the start of ‘The Edge’, the named ridge which heads up to Ullock Pike.
Upon reaching Ling How the wind was really blowing in from the west to the point where I was close to losing the hat off my head and it necessitated throwing another layer on as well as battoning down the hatches by tightening up my hood as far as it’d go. Unfortunately it started getting claggy at this point so most of the views became rather hazy. Longside Edge is quite characterful mind you, just not on those wet and windy days where you don’t get to amble around enjoying the views and instead put your head down and crack on!
Longside opens out on to the open fell top, which runs gently towards Carl Side which hosts a leisurely summit which ordinarily would have been a rest spot before heading up Skiddaw. Today it didn’t seem worth continuining further up with the very poor visbility (and I’ve climbed Skiddaw with zero vis enough already) so I decided I’d go with a different plan for the day and started planning the new route. First I decided to head off the fell to the south and took the steep path which would head towards Dodd woods.
The wet path to the SW from Carl Side was both steep and slippery as I finally descended enough to emerge out of the mist – concentrating on keeping my footing in the full wind I passed a couple of walkers on their way up. It’s a path I wouldn’t recommend for the inexperienced, particularly in the wet. Towards White Stones as the path turned West a group of five or six walkers came past on their ascent, bravely deciding to head up a steep route and already struggling.
Slowly fining up 
View towards Derwentwater 
Towards Bassenthwaite to the NW 
Misty descent from Carl Side
The bottom of the valley brought a respite from the weather and with almost perfect timing the sun came out as I headed towards Dodd, a pokey little fell hidden in the woods but at this point a far better plan, well protected from the wind. Dodd itself proved itself a brilliant little route and the view from the summit (well, a little mound at the top) provided a lovely view across Bassenthwaite, in my opinion on-par with the view from Barf on the other side (itself a much steeper climb and prone to waterlogging).
Those who follow my blog will know I love a forest walk – and this proved a brilliant little distraction, sun out and gurgling streams making it impossible not to grin as I slowly wandered back to the parking spot. Well worth returning to this area and the route makes it quite easy for all ages and abilities (or mountain bikers if that’s your thing).
By mid morning the day was really fining up, and with my pack still stocked with food I made a beeline towards Binsey – the most northerly fell – and otherwise not a hill I’d ever plan a day out for as it’s fairly little and unconnected with any others. Not a huge amount to add other than parking is simple at the base of the fell on the roadside (see map) and this place was stowed out with walkers by the time I arrived. Once you amble up the easy route towards the summit the view is far better than the photos would make you believe. It’s also just around the corner from the Lake District Distillery if you wish to cap of your hike with a glass of something..
Binsey cairn 
Lovely light towards Bassenthwaite 
Binsey Trig Point
Walking down the hill, still fresh, I took a look at the map and thought to head towards Wythop Mill – a place I don’t know well but it seemed a good starting point for a couple of extra fells whilst I had plenty of energy. Ling Fell and Sale Fell are practically neighbours and by this point of the day there seemed a huge amount of cars around planning similar routes. Pulling up, it was time to head off again, by this time mid afternoon and shades on in the sunshine.
Clear path to Ling Fell 
Summit cairn on Ling Fell 
Alongside Wythop beck 
Sturdy wall heading up Sale Fell 
Don’t detour through the gauze 
Stunning gauze in flower
My phone had ran out of power by this point so pictures of Sale Fell summit weren’t possible despite the stunning weather and thoroughly excellent views from the top. Sale Fell also seems to have one of the most sturdy paths up of any fell in the Lakes – another one of those for the whole family. Great day out, finishing in beautiful sunshine and a new collection of the lesser-known tops explored.
L|ve the Outdoors 