Following my May Bank Holiday Snowdon ascent, my training schedule has recently ramped up a gear in preparation my first international trek in September. On top of my twice weekly-runs and daily lunch break stair climbing antics, I decided it was time to head for the hills again, this time, on a mini break to the Lake District. With walking poles and Compeed plasters at the ready, (lessons learnt from last time), I set off from work last Friday lunchtime to explore Britain’s largest hiking playground.
Armed with hats, gloves, scarves and thick fleeces, we set off from the capital in sweltering temperatures of 35 degrees. Could the Lake District really be in such a climactic time-warp?, I wondered, as we zoomed over Hammersmith Flyover in brilliant sunshine. As the ominous storm clouds started circulating two hours later, we found ourselves marooned in grid-lock on the M6, finally arriving in Shap, in eight hours rather than the predicted four. (Depart on Friday morning, not Friday afternoon.)
Office Breaks Kentmere Horseshoe views
Waking the following morning to torrential rain and lightning, I gratefully pulled on my fleece and rain jacket – as it turns out, both really are essentials for a mini break to the Lake District no matter what time of year. At the briefing, we’re informed that 70 mile an hour winds on the higher peaks have scuppered our chances of climbing Scarfell Pike, England’s highest peak and I opt instead for the more “moderate” Kentmere Horseshoe.
Rocking up to Kentmere village thirty minutes later, I’m immediately swarmed by clouds of midges – a phenomenon I naively thought only existed in Scotland. (Bring insect repellent in summer months.) The only way to escape them is to keep moving and we set off at a fast trot along the Garburn Pass.
Office Breaks Kentmere Horseshoe views onto Lake Windemere
Looming up like the Seven Sisters on steroids, the Horseshoe takes in a series of long, strenuous climbs in quick succession. Starting from Yoke, we navigate an undulating ridge which takes us high over Ill Bell only to find another similarly challenging climb onto Froswick. Glancing back over my shoulder, I’m struck by jaw-dropping views onto Lake Windemere. With the Thornwaite Gate beacon finally in sight, we puff our way up the last haul before thankfully taking the weight off our weary pins and settling down to some much-deserved lunch.
Feeling the inevitable call of nature, I realise to my horror, that the sweeping fells offer no cover whatsoever. Crossing my legs, I have no option than to carry on until I find a discrete peat bank some miles later – one of the unspoken perils of Fell walking.
Office Breaks Thornwaite Gate beacon
Next, we head for the High Street – no signs of Pret or Starbucks here, but rather a 2000 year-old road, built by the Romans to link the forts of Brougham and Ambleside. I’m relieved to note that High Street offers gentler slopes and a flat summit plateau with spectacular views spanning from the Pennines to the Lakeland Hills and the Helvellyn Range.
A little further along the ridge, we catch views down on to Riggindale – home to the sole-surviving golden eagle in England. It’s hard to believe that in years gone by, Golden Eagles were hunted in these parts.
Office Breaks Kentmere Horseshow views
As we gradually make our descent, the black storm clouds come rolling back in and we pick up the pace as we head back past Haweswater Reservoir and the Blea and Small Water tarns. Although the return is somewhat rocky underfoot, the descent is fairly easy and just as the heavens open, we make it safely back to the midge-ridden Kentmere Village.
Relaxing in a warm bath back in my hotel in Shaps, I reflect on an inspiring day’s hiking. It’s so good to get away from the physical constraints of an office and embrace wide-open vistas – even if it does mean having to cross your legs for a considerable part of the way.
Do you have a favourite Lake District hike? Please share your views.