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The Land of the Lune - Drakkar Press

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Lune</strong> below Jeffrey’s Mount<br />

Walk 3: Roundthwaite Common and Bre<strong>the</strong>rdale<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Lune</strong> from Birk Beck ... 39<br />

Map: OL19 and OL7 (please read <strong>the</strong> general note about <strong>the</strong> walks in <strong>the</strong> Introduction).<br />

Starting point: Roundthwaite, where <strong>the</strong> bridleway to Borrowdale swings southwest (609033).<br />

This is a walk over <strong>the</strong> area that might have been sacrificed for <strong>the</strong> Whinash Wind Farm. Follow <strong>the</strong> bridleway southwest<br />

and immediately after <strong>the</strong> gate, take <strong>the</strong> path half left directly up <strong>the</strong> slope to Jeffrey’s Mount. Continue beyond <strong>the</strong> small pile <strong>of</strong><br />

stones at <strong>the</strong> top for a little way in order to rest while watching <strong>the</strong> busy motorway traffic far below.<br />

When you are ready, head west along <strong>the</strong> ridge over half a dozen gentle rises, including Casterfell Hill, Belt Howe,<br />

Winterscleugh and <strong>the</strong> highest point, Whinash (471m). In places <strong>the</strong>re is a path but it doesn’t matter much as <strong>the</strong>re are no fences<br />

and it is easy going on grass, with good views into Borrowdale. Almost certainly, <strong>Lune</strong>sdale fell ponies will be seen on <strong>the</strong><br />

common.<br />

When you reach Breasthigh Road, an ancient, deeply grooved track over <strong>the</strong> ridge, follow it to <strong>the</strong> right. At Bre<strong>the</strong>rdale<br />

Beck you might like to detour north briefly to see <strong>the</strong> derelict Bre<strong>the</strong>rdale Head. Follow <strong>the</strong> quiet road to picturesque Midwath<br />

Stead, with its small bridge.<br />

Continue along <strong>the</strong> road (very little traffic) past Bre<strong>the</strong>rdale Hall, and <strong>the</strong>n take <strong>the</strong> footpath through Bre<strong>the</strong>rdale Foot and<br />

Dyke Farm (where <strong>the</strong> owner assured me that <strong>the</strong>re will soon be signs to help you locate <strong>the</strong> path) to Pikestone Lane. Turn right<br />

on <strong>the</strong> lane and walk for 2km to Roundthwaite.<br />

Short walk variation: Between Belt Howe and Breasthigh Road <strong>the</strong>re is no way <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> fell to <strong>the</strong> north and so <strong>the</strong> only short walk<br />

possible is to follow <strong>the</strong> long walk up Jeffrey’s Mount to Belt Howe and <strong>the</strong>n take <strong>the</strong> bridleway back to Roundthwaite. If this<br />

walk is a little on <strong>the</strong> short side for you, you could continue on <strong>the</strong> CRoW land over Roundthwaite Common as far as you wish<br />

and perhaps drop down to <strong>the</strong> bridleway via <strong>the</strong> Blea Gill waterfalls.<br />

This is Chapter 2 <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Land</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Lune</strong> (2nd edition), http://www.drakkar.co.uk/land<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>lune.html, Copyright © 2010 John Self

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