Time for a spot of birdwatching (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Time for a spot of birdwatching

10:00am Friday 28th March 2008

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Many more walkers are using the paths along the side of Grasmere and Rydal Water now that they have been improved. With the trees just beginning to bud this is a good time to spot the many birds that enjoy the trees along the banks of the River Rothay, which flows between the two lakes. Park at White Moss Common, on the left side, if travelling north along the A591 from Ambleside, grid ref 351065. The Lowther Estates have now taken over the parking area and installed state-of-the-art pay-and-display machines (£4.50 for four hours).

1/ Set off along the wide track that leaves the far end of the parking area. Continue to the long bridge over the River Rothay. Before you cross the bridge (renewed) notice the sturdy old pillars on which it rests. Beyond, turn immediately right to walk through the fine trees on a sometimes muddy path and watch out for tree creepers, long tailed tits and jays. Carry on to emerge from the woodland by a gate on to open fell. Pause here to look across the river to spot a pair of dippers that seem to have taken up residence. The male has a fine line in swimming across the water to the opposite bank.

2/ Stroll on the rather rough but quite delightful path to pass the second renewed bridge across the river. Continue on beside the weir, which slows the flow of water from Grasmere to Rydal. Mallards, Canada geese and black-headed gulls come to the lake shore hoping to be fed. Beyond the gate into woodland, the path slants up a little to become well reinforced and continues, pleasingly. It then leaves the trees and goes on along the side of the lake. Here a swan settles on the path but lets you pass safely. Nearby a couple of crows watch from the branches above hoping for some of the pickings if you are tempted to feed the swan.

3/ After half-a-mile, the path turns away from the lake and climbs a track to reach a gate on to Red Bank Road. Turn right and walk a few steps, with care, to take a tarmacked road that turns acute left. This leads a very short way up to Hunting Stile Lodge. Pass the access path to the house, and continue upward, the way now cobbled and easy to ascend. Beyond the cobbling, a wide walled track goes on, with stunning views down to Grasmere and the fells around. Stroll on into a woodland hollow where there is a signposted junction of paths, with a shady seat for a break.

4/ Here turn left through a gate, signed Loughrigg Terrace, and follow the superb high-level path through Red Bank Wood, which is believed to have been in existence for 400 years, or even longer, according to the information plaque at the entrance gate. At the end of the lovely way another gate gives access to an open area and a seat. Carry on to the road and walk ahead for a few steps, to take on the left steps down to a gate and on to join the Terrace, where you will want to pause to enjoy the magic views.

5/ Go past the stepped way to the summit of Loughrigg and after a short distance take a track going off right. If you miss this, take the next one, right. Walk ahead, on either path, keeping well up the open fell, with Rydal Water far below. Carry on until the track begins to curve a little right to visit Rydal Cave, a vast cavern, where it was once said that all the inhabitants of Ambleside could fit in. It was quarried for multi-coloured stone. Now you can only peer in over a wooden barrier because of stones falling from the roof of the cave. Once you could go in and explore and look for the coloured stone of the roof.

6/ Return to the main path and turn left for a short distance. Then take a reinforced path, slanting down towards the lake shore and turn left. Follow the way where it moves away from the lake and climbs steadily beside walled woodland on your right. Look out for the interesting gate into the trees, on your right, and descend through the woodland. Cross the first footbridge and turn right to return to the car park.

Information

Distance: 5 miles Time: 2-3 hours Terrain: Generally easy walking Map: OS Explorer OL 7 NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.

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