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A warm humid walk over Muncaster Fell today. I parked opposite the astle entrance in the large free carpark. About 200 yards up the road is a choice of Bridleways. The standard route starts up the one signed "Fell Lane and Muncaster Fell" but for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to head for Muncaster Mill through the woods and then turn uphill to join the regular route at Muncaster Tarn.
A warm humid walk over Muncaster Fell today. I parked opposite the astle entrance in the large free carpark. About 200 yards up the road is a choice of Bridleways. The standard route starts up the one signed "Fell Lane and Muncaster Fell" but for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to head for Muncaster Mill through the woods and then turn uphill to join the regular route at Muncaster Tarn. It was nice in the woods and the first part of the climb through the forestry was ok but then I met wind blown trees and clear felling and the path disappeared. I was wearing shorts and before long the brambles had left me with bleeding legs. Polly fared no better she collected a few cuts and I had to carry her at times. Reaching the tarn was a relief - both to me and to the wildlife photographer I met who told me he had winced at my progress over the last 50 yards! Fortunately the tarn marked the end of my problems. Pleasant open fell walking brought me to the summit with excellent views albeit a little hazy. Then on to "Ross's Camp" where I had lunch. This looks like a neolithic monument but is, in fact, an elaborate stone dining table for Victorian shooting parties. Then pleasantly but boggily down to the bridleway from Irton Road station to Muncaster Head. From Muncaster Head farm the bridleway leading back to Muncaster Tarn is called the Esk Trail. At one point it passes some very nicely situated private houses overlooking a golf course and then, just before the tarn is reached, a monument is seen to the left. This is 19th cent. and marks the spot where shepherds found Henry VI after the Battle of Towton in 1461. He was then sheltered in Muncaster Castle. Steady climbing brought me to the tarn again and then it was downhill all the way to the main road. Apart from my silly variation in the forest at the start this was a good walk over a low fell with great views. The pictures are in my May and June 2007 short walks album and the following link takes you to the first photo of the 23 I took today. There are 90 in the album now so just stick to 23 if you want to stick with this walk. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2754398330035788806cVawjF |
