High road to Cold Pike (From The Westmorland Gazette)

High road to Cold Pike

10:11am Friday 11th April 2008

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Start this walk from the Three Shire Stone on Wrynose Pass and climb a reasonable path to Red Tarn, where some walkers might wish to return the same way. This route continues on and ascends, quite easily, to the summit on Cold Pike. It then descends the slopes using a narrow grassy path, which crosses two little streams racing downhill which soon unite to become the infant River Duddon. Park on Wrynose Pass, the narrow, twisting and in places steep minor road linking Ambleside in the east to Eskdale Green in the west. There are several largish parking spaces close by the Three Shire Stone and just above it, grid ref 276028.

1/ Stand beside the Three Shire Stone and follow the signpost to walk an obvious path. It winds round a wet area, where a small stream bubbles along, and then bears right, round a hillock, before twisting again and upward. Very soon you pass a small cairn on your left. This is where your return path, down from Cold Pike, joins the main path. Keep on up the main path to cross a small tributary. Eventually the gradient eases and this is the place to sit on a rock while you enjoy the view of Harter Fell and Wetherlam.

2/ Go on up a slightly steeper part of the path, now with Pike o' Bliscoe to your right and the aim of the walk, Cold Pike, to your left. Carry on up with Crinkle Crags coming into view and with Bowfell, peeping over the their tops, beyond. After climbing for a short time, the path levels again and to your left lie two small pools which no doubt feed the Duddon. A few more steps and you can see the full length of the reed-fringed, oval-shaped shallow Red Tarn. The path keeps well above it and there are some well-placed boulders here for another pause. As you progress the path becomes quite red and little lumps of haematite (60 per cent iron) weigh heavily when you hold them in your hand.

3/ Carry on along the path and follow it as it turns left, beyond the tarn, at a patch of red shale. Step across the outlet from the tarn as it hurries to descend Brown Gill into Great Langdale. Continue up the partly pitched path, with Great Knott towering to your right. Just before a cairn that denotes the point where the path winds right to ascend Crinkle Crags, take an indistinct path, left, just before a little stream. This grassy way soon becomes clear as it climbs gently. Pass two cairns along the easy ridge and then follow the now steeper path as it winds through rocky outcrops, with a few blocks of rock needing a big step up, to reach a flatter area. Curve right, and then left, round the summit of mammoth blocks of rock and then climb left, a little bit more, to reach the fine cairned top and enjoy the stunning view.

4 Descend the few steps to the flattish area. Ahead is another, but slightly lower, tower' of blocks also cairned. Follow the path as it passes left, between the two tops and then winds down, right, a little valley to pick up a more distinct path coming in on your right. Here wind left, keeping parallel for a short way with the ancient boundary fence on your right. Keep a lookout for the little path as it winds and descends and soon comes beside a small tarn. Where the way becomes boggy, a small cairn marks the best route. You can now spot vehicles parked far below on the Pass and to your left lies Red Tarn.

5/ The descent eases as the narrow path crosses the valley floor, taking you easily across boggy patches in the direction of your way of ascent. At a small stream, one of the tributaries of the Duddon, step across on boulders and carry on the grassy path as it continues on its way down towards the Pass. Carry on to the next feeder stream, a wider one which is easily crossed, and climb the slope beyond and stroll on. As you near the main path the ground becomes quite wet and the path disappears. Here you will need to pick your way across. Head on along the re-emerged way to join the main path and turn right at the little cairn to retrace your outwards steps to the parking area.

Information

Distance: 4 miles Time: 3-4 hours Terrain: The outward route climbs steadily on a distinct rocky path for 1,000ft to the summit of Cold Pike. It then descends on very narrow grassy paths, slanting downwards towards the ascent route. As you go always look ahead to see where it continues.

Map: OS Explorer OL 6 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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