Monday March 28th

 A trip to The Lakes, staying in The Howegrain Lodge, Martindale. We drove up from Stockport and managed to fit in a walk before 5pm, when we had access to the rental. We parked at St Peter's Church (at the top of the spectacularly steep Hause). It was a simple (but downhill) amble down the the bridleway to the bridge over Fusedale Beck. There was a steep grassy path up, and then another steepish ascent to Swarth Fell.

Ascent of Swarth Fell with Hallin Fell in the background

Things eased a bit and we followed the escarpment northwards to Bonscale Pike. As ever in The Lakes, it was highly atmospheric, enhanced by the weather.

An atmospheric amble up to Bonscale Pike

We crossed Swarth Beck near an old sheep fold without losing too much height and made our way up to Arthur's Pike, which gave us great views of Ullswater and the surrounding hills.

Ullswater (looking south from Arthur's Pike) with Hallin Fell in the foreground

We took a slightly less steep way down to the crossing over Fusedale Beck and got back to the car at 5pm, making the short trip down to Howegrain Lodge.

5½ miles with 589m ascent.

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