Ullswater High

Cross Dormont Farm campsite

We had an early start from Cross Dormont campsite, breakfasted and packed up before 8am - and off we went - Rafe and I with kit for a few days scavaiging around Ullswater.

Ullswater from Cross Dormont Farm

Llama - Cross Dormont Farm

We wound our way along the footpaths and around the farms onto the bridleway below Auterstone Crag, taking the track north east, a gentle ascent onto the escarpment above the eastern shore of Ullswater.

Setting off from Cross Dormont Farm

Meadows above Ullswater

We took a sharp right onto the route of the Roman Road (NY481223), enjoying the sunshine and the glorious views...

South west over Ullswater from ascent of White Knott

White Knott (422m) - views south west over Ullswater

We had plenty of time - we stopped when we felt like it, we wandered as we pleased - the joys of solo backpacking.

Above Long Crag and Ullswater

We'd forgotten how lovely the Lake District is...

Rafe - Barton Fell, above Ullswater

Arthurs Pike (533m)

Bog Cotton - Barton Fell

Views south over Martindale from Barton Fell

Rafe - Bonscale Pike - views over Ullswater

Stone circle, near Brock Crag (NY457191)

Rafe - Ascent of Loadpot Hill

Rafe - Ascent of Loadpot Hill

Loadpot Hill summit (672m)

Post and cairn, Loadpot Hill (NY459183)

Descent from Loadpot Hill - views south

Tarn  - bealach between Loadpot Hill and Wether Hill

Views west from Wether Hill

We had leisurely lunch on the summit of Raven Howe, tucked behind a wall out of a cool breeze - before continuing along the route of the old Roman road over High Street.

Rafe - High Raise (802m)

Views south west from near High Raise

Looking back (north) to High Raise

Rafe - Rampsgill Head summit (792m)

Riggindale and Haweswater from Rampsgill Head

Views back (north) from ascent of High Street

Rafe - High Street summit (828m)

High Street summit

Near High Street summit

High Street with views to Kentmere Horeshoe and Windermere

We continued on, to  Thornthwaite Crag - before dropping off the tops into Threshthwaite Cove and Pasture Bottom.

Thornthwaite Beacon

Rafe - Views north west from Thresthwaite Mouth into Pasture Bottom to Ullswater

Rafe - descent into Pasture Bottom

Looking back to Threshthwaite Mouth

Pasture Bottom

Looking back along Pasture Bottom to Threshthwaite Mouth

By the time we reached Hartsop we were both a little footsore - but we still had a few kilometres to go...

Hartsop Village

The track from Hartsop to Patterdale - views of Place Fell

Along the lovely bridleways of Patterdale...

Roe deer near Crookabeck

Before arriving at the campsite at Side Farm, at the southern end of Ullswater.

The campsite was busy - a Saturday night in June in the Lake District! But we soon found a spot for the tent, among the trees and get set up for the night.

Both of us were ready for our dinner and a bit of a chill.

Meadow by Side Farm campsite - views south

Route:  Cross Dormont Campsite (NY461226), fp SW to Seat Farm, continue SW to Crook-a-dyke, at NY458218 take fp S across  Sharrow Mire to bridleway at NY460214, turn NE. At NY472220 turn SW onto fp, White Knott (422m), Whinney Crag, Arthurs Pike (Wainwright, 533m), fp south to NY461198, E then N across open hillside to Bonscale Pike (Wainwright 524m), S on fp at Loadpot Hill (Wainwright, 672m), S on bridleway to Wether Hill (Wainwright, 674m), S to Red Crag (Birkett, 711m), Raven Howe (718m), High Raise (Wainwright, 802m), Rampsgill Head (Wainwright, 792m), High Street (Wainwright, 828m), SW to Thornthwite Crag (Wainwright, 784m), descend W on fp to Threshthwaite Mouth, NW to Threshthwaite Cove and Pasture Bottom, continue NW to Hartsop over fb at NY411129, continue W through village and take bridleway N at NY405133, 250m N of Dubhow (NY405145) take left fp N along valley, continue N to Side Farm Campsite (NY398163).

Statistics:  Distance: 27.6km  Ascent: 1260m  Time: 11 hours

Map:  OS Outdoor Leisure 5 - The English Lakes, North-eastern area

See also:  Around Ullswater and Ullswater Low