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Sheffield Pike and Seven more “Birketts” above Ullswater.

By Hugh Stewart April 16, 2014 Leave a Comment

From Hart Side to Aira Force there are six “Birketts”, four which we hadn’t done on a previous loop from near Dockray, and two near Aira Force. The views are excellent, but underfoot a bit tedious, so for interest we added Sheffield Pike via its East ridge, a gem. A Spring day of sunhats and gloves. From Aira Force upper car park (NT) go down to the A592 via the footpath 400 yards down the road. A new gravel path parallel to the main road takes you to the Glencoyne Farm drive. Up here and past Seldom Seen, then at the wall gate go up (south) by the wall steeply to a cairned col, taking the right fork here to join the main path up Sheffield Pike(1) near Heron Crag. This is Wainwrights preferred route up the Pike, and I see why. Carry on to Nick Head and up to Glencoyne Head and Hart Side (2) on easy paths, then head for the cairn of Birkett Fell (3), then down the wall south east to pass through it and ascend Brown Hills(4), then Swineside Knott(5) and the little decent summit of Common Fell(6). Best from here to gain the path by the wall south, leading to near the summit of Round How(7), and then Bracken How(8). A gate through the wall leads to a steep drop to the quarry car park, and then road or a descent by the falls finishes this 8.6 mile walk with 2680 feet ascent. The Royal Hotel at Dockray is not far up the road, with a pleasant garden.

Sheffield Pike east ridge from Glenridding Dodd.
Ulllswater from Glenridding Dodd.
Another view of Sheffield Pike’s east ridge.
Glencoyne Head from Sheffield Pike.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: dockray 1.gpx

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Malham Tarn and More

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The middle Pap of Jura – Bienn an Oir

This route has been written about many times, but as we disagree with the Cicerone guide's recommended route and this was the first eight mile plus mountain walk I'd done in 18 months, we thought it worth a celebratory shout. Why just the middle Pap? Because it's the easiest as you might imagine,

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