Deerly beloved Martindale
The beautiful steep-sided valleys of Martindale, a sanctuary for man and nature, have long been treasured by discerning walkers. Ullswater takes all the plaudits from passing motorists and steamer-cruising visitors, it gains another accolade from the likes of you and me for its exquisite isolation of the Martindale fells. Landlocked, this north-east Lakes sanctuary retains a semblance of its historic wildness, a countenance superbly revealed in this grand horseshoe walk, which can include seven summit cairns. Approach from Pooley Bridge on the lakeside road, the early activity of the camping ground leads by the entrance to the luxurious Sharrow Bay Hotel to pass Howtown Wyke steamer jetty. The four-mile journey is tortuous, narrow, and should be driven expecting oncoming traffic and the occasional reverse or tight squeeze. Passing the lane to Howtown Hotel the road crosses a cattle-grid then embarks on a series of hairpin turns on the steep rise to The Hause, entry into the cul-de-sac world of Martindale.  An eagle's eye view of the walk Getting into strideLeave the road on the north side of the churchyard, a path winds up through the bracken beside an enclosure wall to angle diagonally right across the fellside beneath Steel Knotts. Pass through a bridle gateway, almost reaching the ridgetop wall take a backward glance at the inviting summit of Steel Knotts. This fell top may (should) be included in the tour by following the ridge path left clambering over the wall, climbing simply to the prominent crest; the actual summit is a curious rock feature, with an equally curious name, Pikeawassa. As a viewpoint its greatest charm is the prospect of the Martindale Deer Forest centred upon The Nab, with its two flanking valleys Rampsgill and Bannerdale from their the watersmeet flows Howe Grain. The term ‘grain’ is unusual in the Lakes, it is applied to the watercourse as it resembles the fork tine, much as the River Tyne derives from the term ‘tine’ itself. Retrace your climb, rejoin the path beyond the wall, either initially keeping beside the wall or along the edge overlooking the valley and facing the handsome bulk of Beda Fell. This is an excerpt from Mark's original article. To see the full article, you will need to download the PDF using the link below  Download complete PDF (98KB)
© Mark Richards 2006 |
