lTake the path (signed No Unauthorized Vehicles) from the side of the parking area going up Rigg Beck valley.

The pyramid of Ard Crag appears ahead. Cross the beck upstream of a heck (water gate) and follow a faint path slanting uphill to Aikin Knott.

Climb the steep ridge ahead to the 1,906 feet high summit of Ard Crags (a Wainwight fell), the highest point of this walk.

Wainwright spotters can delight in identifying the dozens of surrounding fells including the closest (Sail and Causey Pike) as well as more distant ones such as Skiddaw, Blencathra, Catbells, Helvellyn, Glaramara and Red Pike.

To the left of Sail is the striking feature of Addacomb Hole, a symmetrical hanging valley resembling a half crater with a 700 feet high headwall.

lContinue ahead along the ridge to the summit of Knott Rigg (the second Wainwright).

Leave the path by turning sharp left to descend in an easterly direction towards Keskadale, initially walking between two tiny fenced-off areas of bog.

The narrow heather-clad path descends steeply to the left of the white roofed barns of Keskadale Farm.

In the valley on the left there is a rare primitive (relict) oak wood.

The altitude, steep south facing slope and shallow acidic soil produces stunted trees.

In the 19th Century the trees were coppiced to obtain bark for tanning leather. Their multiple trunks may be natural or could be the result of coppicing.

The treetops form an even surface due mainly to the effect of wind.

lAt the road turn left, cross Ill Gill, then right through a metal gate onto a signed footpath going along a farm track.

Cross Ill Gill and Keskadale Beck then walk along the field path that parallels the beck on the left.

Go through a wicket gate below the white farmhouse of High Snab to a field gate onto a tarmacked lane.

Turn left and follow the lane past the white painted Little Town chapel.

Names on the gravestones indicate that generations of the Edmondson family have lived in a farm near here, but they are not related to me.

At the junction turn left then at the next junction right, to where the walk began.

While approaching the last junction look across the fields to the left: the white house standing in front of the dominant Causey Pike is Birkrigg Cottage, which featured in the BBC drama series, The A Word.

Next week: Duddon Seathwaite Tarn