Sunday 18th September 2016 - Grasmere, Lake District

This month our walks are based on Grasmere in the Lake District where all the walks start and finish. The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt and travel to Burton Services for a toilet/boot up stop.  Boots are essential on all walks. At the end of the walk in Grasmere there are plenty of opportunities for refreshments.  We plan to leave at 5.30 pm to be back in Formby about 7.30pm
 
The cost of travel will be £10.00 for members, £13.00 for non-members and £5.00 for Leaders, children and students in full time education. Please make your cheque payable to Range Walking Club and ensure it is signed as it is inconvenient for the Treasurer to chase up such omissions.

Please send in your return to the Treasurer before 8th September; places will be booked on the coach by the treasurer on a first come first served basis.

Cancellations: if you need to cancel or make a late booking, please contact the Treasurer on 01704 809287 or by email monicatuk@yahoo.co.uk who will endeavour to substitute your booking from the waiting list.  If you cancel after 10th September and it is not possible to fill your place on the coach, regrettably, we will not be able to give you a refund as coaches will have been booked on initial returns.

‘A’ Walk Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 2600 ft Leaders: Ken Bryning Shaun Rollinson	Starting from Grasmere we leave via Red Bank and head towards Lang How, in the shadow of Silver How, before following the ridge to Blea Rigg.  Subject to the weather, we should have superb views of the Langdale Pikes and valley and the Coniston Fells.  The route continues via Sergeant Man to our summit of High Raise (2,500 feet).  Return is via Codale Head, overlooking Codale Tarn and Easedale Tarn, before descending from Tarn Crag into the valley of Far Easedale and back to Grasmere.
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 6.75 miles Ascent: 2600 ft Leaders: Ray Belcher Tim Paulger	If you are unsure about steep ascents and descents, think twice about this walk.  It is short in length (6¾ miles) but high in ascent (about 2,600 feet).   The walk starts gently from the car park, across fields arriving at the Swan Hotel.  This is the start of the steep ascent to Stone Arthur (1,640 feet) followed by a slightly easier ascent to the footpath leading to Great Rigg (2,500 feet).  There are great views from this point (Grasmere, Windermere, Easedale Tarn and Ullswater, also great views of the Langdales).  From here we walk the ridge to Heron Pike towards Nab Scar.  Before Nab Scar we pick up a footpath to Alcock Tarn. Alcock Tarn is a lovely picture opportunity. From the Tarn we descend to Grasmere village.
‘B’ Walk Distance: 7.5 miles Ascent: 1100 ft Leaders: Louise Pimm Gill Hickmott	Starting from the coach park in Grasmere we head past St Oswalds church along Red Bank Road to join a footpath at Kelbarrow. We follow the steadily ascending path to Dow Bank via Spedding Crag. Then follow track down to High Close youth hostel, walking along Red Bank Road until we pick up the a footpath along Loughrigg Terrace. Walking along the banks of Rydal Water to Steps End. Crossing via a footbridge and after a short steep ascent pick up an undulating bridle way to return to Grasmere via How Top.   Stunning views over Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere,Loughrigg Tarn and Elterwater weather permitting.
‘C’ Walk Distance: 6 miles Ascent: 900 ft Leaders: Liz Bellman Ray Webb	Leaving the town in a westerly direction we are required to follow the road for a while before we drop down to join a path that tracks the south bank of the lake.  This path takes us into Deerbolt Wood, through which we gain height to join Loughrigg Terrace.  From here we should enjoy spectacular views across Grasmere to the fells beyond. Continuing east we skirt Rydal Water before crossing the A591 to reach Rydal Mount.  Once the home of William & Dorothy Wordsworth, we will, if time permits, make use of the nearby tearoom.  From Rydal Mount we follow the old Coffin Route (between Ambleside and Grasmere) which runs below Nab Scar, once again with the prospect of spectacular views.  Shortly after passing Dove Cottage, we arrive back in Grasmere.