The Great Outdoors - UK (2021-08)

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1. RIVER DERWENT – best wild swimming spot
   Open water swimming is in vogue. It’s a booming outdoors trend,
   with a growing following of enthusiasts convinced of the mental
   and physical benefits of a revitalising plunge. From mirror-still
   lakes to crystal-clear pools, the Lake District is blessed with a
   plethora of locations for an al-fresco dip – but the River Derwent
   in Borrowdale is a particular favourite. Around Gowder Dub and
   Low Hows Wood you’ll find translucent, gentle waters in achingly
   pretty surroundings.
   Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 3386411


2. MILLICAN DALTON’S CAVE– best tourist attraction
   Located on the eastern flanks of Castle Crag in Borrowdale, Millican
   Dalton’s Cave is a split-level, twin-entranced cavern best known for
   its eccentric inhabitant. In the 1 920s, Millican Dalton – a pioneer of
   adventure tourism and bona fide free-spirited maverick – lived in
   his ‘Cave Hotel’ whilst working as an adventure guide. You can still
   read his enigmatic etching on one of the cave walls (“Don’t waste
   words, jump to conclusions”) and the caveis now popular as a quirky
   wild camp spot or shelter for a mid-hike break.
   Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 3386410


3. FLOCK IN TEAROOM, ROSTHWAITE –best café
   From coffees, pots of tea and hot chocolates to home-made cakes,
   delicious ice-creams and crumpets with jam (my favourite), this
   quaint café in Rosthwaite will refuel you in style, pre or post-hike.
   But it’s the setting that really sets it apart. Nestled next to a bustling
   sheep farm in the heart of Borrowdale, the garden-like outdoors
   seating area oozes charm; and on a sunny day the views across the
   soaring fells, woodland and fields are quite simply delectable.
   Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 2756215


4. FLEETWITH PIKE– best mountain
   Graceful and poised, with an exquisitely shaped ridge bursting
   upwards from the shores of Buttermere, Fleetwith Pike is a
   handsome peak – and its summit might just serve up the best view
   in all of Lakeland. The panorama across Buttermere and Crummock
   Water stretching sumptuously into the distance, which Wainwright
   described as ‘remarkably fine’, will put a smile on your face and
   a spring in your step. It’s a worthy reward for taking on the leg-
   burning, lung-heaving ascent (or descent) of Fleetwith Edge.
   Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 1041495


5. BUTTERMERE – best lake
   It’s nigh impossible to choose a ‘best lake’ in the Lake District, but
   Buttermere has a viable claim to the crown. Everything special
   about Lakeland is present in Buttermere: serrated skylines of
   craggy mountains, wobbly drystone walls, still waters, fields of
   Herdwicks, white-washed cottages and tumbling gills. Fleetwith
   Pike, Haystacks and the domineering wall of the Buttermere Edge
   fells take the plaudits – Alfred Wainwright called them mountains
   of “intimate charm and a romantic atmosphere” – but Buttermere is
   the sort of place you’ll discover your own favourite,secret spots.
   Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 605146


6. SYKE FARM CAMPSITE, BUTTERMERE – best campsite
   This is old-school camping – in a good way. You don’t get those
   clinical rows of numbered pitches or characterless flat fields you see
   in some campsites. Instead Syke Farm Campsite in Buttermere feels
   a little like wild camping, with its untamed Lakeland setting of rocky
   outcrops, tumbling stream and lumpy-bumpy terrain. But don’t
   worry. There are plenty of flat patches of lush grass amongst the

ruggedness to pitch your tent and get some precious shut-eye,

and the washing facilities and nearby café are excellent too.

Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 3386424

7. KIRKSTILE INN, LOWESWATER – best pub
   Every good walk should end in a good country inn. One of
   Lakeland’s best is the 1 7th Century Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater.
   The sun-drenched beer garden overlooks the dramatic pyramid of
   Mellbreak’s northern face – a mesmerising profile of the mountain

• and is the perfect post-hike spot for supping on a pint of own-
  brew Loweswater Gold. If the sun isn’t out, simply dive into the
  cosy interior, snuggle next to an open fire and tuck in to some of the
  hearty, tasty food on offer (we’d particularly recommend the steak
  and ale pie or vegan casserole).
  Check it out on komoot: komoot.com/highlight/ 2846343

START: Grange

FINISH:Loweswater

Distance: 22. 5 kilometres / 14 miles

Ascent: 670 m / 2200 ft

Duration: James and his friends walked this route over

two days

ESSENTIAL

INFORMATION

'The Magnificent Seven’: vital statistics

Read more about the route and see the full

interactive map as a komoot collection here:

komoot.com/collection/ 1206442

Best of the Lakes

August 2021 The Great Outdoors 41

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