DUNNERDALE FELLS,
RAVEN'S CRAG & THE KNOTT
from KILN BANK CROSS
Summary
Date - 16th April 2009
Distance - 5.25 miles
Map - OL6
Start point - Kiln Bank Cross (SD
215933)
Summits Achieved
Name
Height (ft)
Height (m)
Grid Ref
Raven's Crag
1184
361
SD 2237 9292
The Knott (Dunnerdale)
925
284
SD 2241 9193
Great Stickle
1001
305
SD 2117 9159
Tarn Hill
1027
313
SD 2095 9209
Stickle Pike
1231
375
SD 2120 9279
Preface
"Where are we going with Uncle
Eric tomorrow?", asked Grizzly.
"To the Dunnerdale Fells",
replied Dad.
"Haven't we been there before?",
continued Grizzly.
"Yes", replied Dad,
"but Uncle Eric has never walked in this area, so we can
guide him around. Also you and Allen will finally tick off
Stickle Pike, another of your Outlyer catch-ups"
"That's fine then", he
called out as he trotted off to tell his pals.
The Walk
The sun shone all day from the
clear blue skies, but we had to contend with very strong winds
making the walking unpleasant at times. We met at Kiln Bank Cross,
the highest point on the narrow road between Broughton Mills and
Seathwaite. Unusually this road is still gated near Hoses Farm.
It is times like these when Dad wishes he had other human company
in the car! Across the road a high hill towered up.
"Is that Stickle Pike?"
asked Allen.
"Yes" replied Dad, "but
it is to be the last top of the day, so you and Grizzly will have
to be patient."
This shot was taken a little later
as we climbed up, and you might just make out the ribbon of the
narrow road.
Using Wainwright's Outlying book as
a guide, we walked along the good paths to come to the long
abandoned remains of Stainton Quarry. Large spoil heaps and the
old workings cut into the hill.
Climbed to the ridge and then right
to cross the undulating ground before making the final climb to
Raven's Crag. A Birkett summit, but also the nameless summit in
AW's book. We had our picture taken, with the help of Uncle Eric,
sheltering us from the wind and preventing us being blown off.
The route now continued along the
ridge, before descending to the col, and in the same direction
climbing to the large cairn on The Knott. This next part was new
to Dad and us too, of course, descending steeply at times down
Knott End to the road. Followed the good path right to Knott End
Farm and on to come to the road we had driven up to the start.
Crossing this, the path led down to Dunnerdale Beck, with its
slab bridge, before climbing to pass through Scrithwaite Farm.
Now the path led to a bridleway,
which we followed right towards our next objective, Great Stickle.
Once past the last wall, we soon struck right to climb to a col.
Then on to find a path going right once more, which eventually
took us to the cairn and trig point, seen here with Stickle Pike
in the distance.
It was fiercely windy up here, but
we managed to find shelter below the cairn to have our lunch.
This vantage point provided a good view to plan the route to our
next summit, Tarn Hill. Descending by our chosen path, we then
made our way across and round a boggy area, to pick up a path
that led to the cairn on Tarn Hill. This area is pretty with
about five small tarns scattered about. Here we are on a previous
visit at the summit with one of the tarns behind.
"At last", piped up Allen,
"it's Stickle Pike next."
The hill reared up before us and we
were eager to get to the summit. Crossing some rough rocky ground,
we eventually made our way across to a good track without losing
too much height. This climbed steeply to reach a col, where we
took the steep path left to soon arrive at the summit, with its
huge cairn.
We sheltered in a hollow on the lee
side for our picture. "Hurrah", cried Allen, Grizzly
& Little Eric, "we have climbed this at last!"
Descending again to the col, we
walked left to pass by the pretty Stickle Tarn.
Then a clear path soon led us to
the start at Kiln Bank Cross. To round off the day Uncle Eric and
Dad went to the Square Cafe in Broughton in Furness for a nice
pot of tea and cake. It had been a great day out, and Uncle Eric
was particularly pleased to tick the summits off and enjoy this
wonderful corner of Lakeland.