JEFFREY'S MOUNT,
WHINASH & BRETHERDALE from ROUNDTHWAITE
Summary
Date - 17th February 2009
Distance - 8.5 miles
Map - OL7/OL19
Start point - Layby on
Roundthwaite road (NY 611029)
Summits Achieved
Name
Height (ft)
Height (m)
Grid Ref
Jeffrey's Mount
1240
378
NY 6040 0241
Casterfell
Hill
1204
367
NY 5965 0210
Belt Howe
1339
408
NY 5881 0208
Roundthwaite Common
1427
435
NY 5827 0247
Winterscleugh
1522
464
NY 5764 0286
Whinash
1545
471
NY 5707 0371
The Walk
Dad has made countless journeys
north on the M6, passing on the left as you exit the Lune Gorge,
a hill called Jeffrey's Mount, saying often to himself, I will
climb that one day. Today he was going to realise that ambition.
This hill is at one end of a ridge on the north side of
Borrowdale and we were to walk the length of this before
returning via the valley of Bretherdale. The day was cloudy but
dry apart from a few spots of rain around lunchtime, and being
much milder than of late we took a picnic lunch. Picking up Uncle
Eric we drove towards Tebay turning off and parking in the lay-by
on the Roundthwaite road overlooking the motorway, the village of
Tebay and the railway.
Uncle Eric is an expert on railways,
so there was a little delay starting off as he explained the
layout of the now long gone station etc at Tebay, and also
watching the trains too. It was interesting and we made a note to
tell the "Railway Bears" when we got home.
Strolling along the road we then
took the bridleway left climbing to a gate. Once through we
branched left on a cart track that ascended the fell, eventually
reaching the cairn on the summit of Jeffrey's Mount, punctuated
with further stops to watch the trains.
Looking southeast
there was a fine view of the Lune Gorge. See how the motorway and
railway sweeps through.
The map showed the track petering
out half way up, but in fact not only did it continue to the
summit, it then continued as a clear route over all the
succeeding fells and all the way to the Breasthigh Road. So, over
grassy moorland that for the most part was dry with just the odd
boggy patch in the dips, the path meandered with gentle climbs
and descents over the summits. We encountered some wild ponies
who were totally unconcerned about us.
The flat and rather indefinite
summits of Casterfell Hill, Belt Howe and Roundthwaite Common
were crossed, the GPS helping pinpoint the actual tops. On the
latter the summit was adorned with a triangular fenced area with
a barbed wire top. There was no apparent hazard inside, so we
were puzzled by what it was for.
To our chagrin there were no cairns,
but finally at Winterscleugh our patience was rewarded.
It was on to the final summit of
the day, Whinash, after which we descended to a track called
Breasthigh Road. The ridge walk had been superb. At times there
were good views into Borrowdale and to the impressive south ridge.
Allen remarked, " only Shaun
and Tetley have done that".
"Yes", replied Grizzly.
"He will have to do it again for us".
At the end of the ridge, we could
see the A6 road at Hucks Bridge. Before the building of the M6
this was the main road to Scotland.
The Breasthigh Road is a track open
to all vehicles and in consequence very churned up, making it
rather hard going. We followed this down into beautiful
Bretherdale with its rushing beck fed off the hills. It was here
that in the distance we saw the first walkers of the day. The
"road" was followed eventually to Midwath Stead, a tiny
group of houses some of which were under renovation, so it seems
this tiny community is growing. The road out was followed
climbing up to pass Bretherdale Hall. Soon after we took the
track to Bretherdale Foot and on over the fields to come to Dyke
Farm, reached by a steep field ascent. Dad reached the gate
before Uncle Eric and chatted to the lady of the house. When he
remarked the footpath then went left, she said that it was OK to
use their drive, which saved a steep climb on Pikestone Lane.
They chatted a while, and Dad played throw the rubber ring for
their dog Molly - she had a great time!! The road descended to
Roundthwaite and then climbed up to the car at the end of a very
enjoyable walk.