Maiden Moor with the little dog

Low Manesty to Maiden Moor via Nitting Haws

Second walk of the 2007 caravanning season. A late afternoon leg stretcher from the Low Manesty site. An earlier visit to the shop at Rosthwaite for the Sunday papers had identified a mass invasion of tourists. Grange in Borrowdale was solid with cars parked almost up to the camp site. Hordes seemed to be heading off towards Castle Crag demonstrating the power of television. I enjoyed the Wainwright Walks series but if this is the effect that it is going to have "please no more".

I decided to reprise my walk up to Maiden Moor. The route up via Nitting Haws was empty last year, it is short enough to do in the mid-afternoon and just long enough to loosen the limbs for some more serious walking. I left at 2.30 in glorious conditions travelling light and with Kira.

The path towards Hollows Farm with Castle Crag in the centre


Being a true disciple of Wainwright a key feature that affects my enjoyment of any particular walk is a complete lack of any other wallkers. Very selfish I know and pretty damn difficult in the Lake District at the start of the Easter hols but the first part of the walk boded well. Only one other person on the permissive footpath towards Hollows Farm and after slowing for a friendly exchange of pleasantries I swiftly left him behind. However, I passed a further three couples coming down the route from the summit, all following similar routes, Cat Bells Maiden Moor and down. One couple had gone up to Dale Head and back. Never mind, they were all descending and apart from a short stop to pass the time of day they were all quickly passed.
A steady climb to the summit and conditions remained perfect all the way. This route has a short but very interesting section as it passes under Nitting Haws with good views of Derwentwater and Hollows Farm down below.

Derwentwater to Blencathra

Views were spoilt by an unseasonable amount of

haze not the clarity expected for early spring. A super stroll along the crest which is much underrated. No one ever extols the virtues of Maiden Moor but the views are extensive in all directions with clear views of the Hindscarth and Robinson ridges. Ard Crags Causey Pike and round to Skiddaw Blencathra. It certainly gives the views from Bowfell a run for their money.

Derwent Water from the start of the Path down between Cat Bells and Maiden Moor

Kira was let off the lead once on the summit and I could see in all distances. I am no less likely to catch her up here but it doesn’t seem such a forlorn hope as when I am climbing up the hill. She behaved very well running in long ranging circles but never getting too far away and always coming back. A couple of birds enticed her out of sight but she quickly returned.

I have religiously followed the general advice to walk with stout boots but on this occasion opted to walk in a pair of Karrimor KSB's, not much more than trainers if the truth were told. However, I felt that the decision to walk in light KSB’s was certainly beneficial with a much freer feeling when walking and I also felt much more sure footed. At least until descending to Hause Gate below Cat Bells. I felt every rock through the soles of the shoes. A very quick descent was made down the well made surface, thirty minutes from the hause to the gates of the campsite.

4.2 miles 2hours forty five minutes.