By Vivienne Crow

Last updated at 21:32, Wednesday, 18 February 2009

This short walk above Glenridding visits keldas. With an elevation of 1,020ft, this minor top sits in a wonderful position, with some great views of Ullswater.

The view of Ullswater from the top of Keldas

Distance: 2.7 miles

Total ascent:: 600ft

Time: Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours

The Walk: From the entrance to the main car park in Glenridding, turn right along the main road and then right again immediately after crossing Glenridding Beck. This is signposted Mires Beck and Helvellyn. A few yards after the asphalt ends, bear left at a fork – towards Lanty’s Tarn and Helvellyn.

As you draw level with a green garage door between a couple of cottages on your right, go through the gap in the fence on your left.

After the small gate, turn right and you quickly reach a constructed path, along which you bear left, heading uphill through the trees. After the next kissing-gate, the path swings right and the views start to open out.

To your right, you can see Glenridding Dodd and Heron Pike towering above the miners’ cottages on the other side of the valley.

With Birkhouse Moor straight ahead, you soon approach another small gate. Instead of going through this one, swing left, continuing uphill. The winding nature of this path means you get a new view with every turn – straight ahead now is Place Fell.

The path drops to a gate, beyond which you can see Lanty’s Tarn. But before you head that way, cross the stile beside the gate just off to the left for a short climb on to Keldas for a lovely view of Ullswater.

This is private land with just this one permissive path, so don’t be tempted by any paths off to the left.

At any point when you are faced with a choice, simply keep to the right and, eventually, you will clamber to the top of this pine-covered knoll.

Keldas is known for its view of Ullswater, but if you look to the SW, although the view up Grisedale is restricted by trees, you can see some impressive mountain scenery, including St Sunday Crag and the steep ridges leading on to Helvellyn’s nearest neighbours, Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike.

Once you’ve rested and taken your photographs, you must retrace your steps to the gate near Lanty’s Tarn. Go through the gate to access this lovely, calm stretch of water surrounded by trees.

The tarn was named after Lancelot Dobson, whose family owned much of Grisedale in the 18th century. They lived in a large mansion near Grassthwaite Howe.

The tarn was enlarged by the Marshall family, local benefactors who lived at Patterdale Hall. They fished here and also built themselves an ice house where they stored ice from the tarn – in many feet of sawdust and straw – for use in the summer.

Continue along the track beside the tarn and beyond. It descends to a fingerpost. Continue in the direction of Helvellyn for a few more yards and then, when the path forks, bear left.

Go through the large wooden gate, making sure you close it behind you, and then turn left, straight down the slope, badly eroded by a lethal combination of walkers’ boots and water.

Go through the kissing-gate at a bend in a surfaced lane. Bear right along this lane (straight ahead) and cross Grisedale Beck via an old humpback bridge. Keep to the lane when it turns sharp left.

When in spate, Grisedale Beck makes for a lively, if slightly manic companion as you both make your way down towards the lake.

The grounds on your left here belong to Patterdale Hall, built in 1796 by the King of Patterdale, one of the Mounsey dynasty. The first Mounsey to be granted the local hereditary title was John, who helped defeat a Scots raiding party on Stybarrow Crag.

William Wordsworth’s sister Dorothy strongly objected to Patterdale Hall, saying it was unsuitable for the valley. She particularly disliked the colour, which was subsequently changed.

When you reach the main road, turn left to get back to Glenridding. There is a permissive path on the other side of the road, which soon heads through the trees. When it ends near a boathouse, you will need to cross back over to pick up the pedestrian walkway. And, when this too ends, you will need to cross the road again to walk on the pavement. Be careful when crossing - the A592 can be a very busy road at times.

First published at 11:30, Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk