Always take a map and compass with you. ©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 058/170 km (^24681012)
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Start/Finish
Layby 185m S of Huck’s
Bridge on A6 between
Kendal and Shap
GR: NY552038
Head S beside A6 for 250m and
turn L on track. After gate, follow
path uphill – away from fence –
onto Ashstead Fell.
2
Head roughly SE to true
(unmarked) summit and
then E, up to next top. Descend,
walk SE up through broad forest
gap and then veer R to cairn on
Mabbin Crag.
Whinfell Ridge & Borrowdale
Lake District ENGLAND
13.3km/8.3 miles/4-5 hours
Ascent 630m/2060ft^6
CUMBRIA’S ‘OTHER’
BORROWDALE and the
hills surrounding it together
form a perfect example
of what can be achieved
when people with a passion
for landscape and nature
come together to protect
the countryside. Back in
2005, the low, grassy ridge
between Borrowdale and
Bretherdale was the scene of
a heated dispute that pitted
conservationist against
conservationist. A plan was
put forward to build what,
at the time, would have
been England’s largest wind
farm. While Friends of the
Earth supported the scheme,
opponents included Sir Chris
Bonington and botanist
David Bellamy. Luckily, the
protesters won the day.
In the early 1970s, ater
a failed attempt by the3
After descending Mabbin
Crag, enter forest. Beyond
fence, head SE to cross ladder stile.
Follow wall on R and go through
gate. Ascend SE, later passing
through wall stile, to shelter on
Whinfell Beacon.4
Head E. Bear L after ladder
stile. Keep L at faint fork
to cross stile; aim for lower of
two masts.5
Turn L along service road –
past gate of irst compound.
Just before track begins climbingto higher compound, head NE
to join grassy bridleway.6
Turn L along valley track.7
Track ends at Low
Borrowdale farm,
but continue upstream
through valley.8
Cross bridge over Borrow
Beck. Later, bear L at fork.
Turn R at A6 to retrace steps to
parking area.Gradient proile Metres above sea level
Vivienne Crow
visits a valley
saved from
development
The Great Outdoors Spring 2019 95