A short trip report of a half day walk up Whitbarrow, the Lake District's most prominent limestone scar.
We started at Mill Side, where there is ample parking on the old road that runs parallel to the busy A590.
The traffic noise was soon left behind as we headed up the valley to the west of Whitbarrow.
The resurgence at Beck Head - the beck bubbles out from beneath the limestone cliffThere is a permitted path that skirts pleasantly through mixed woodland below the cliffs, but eventually we had to bite the bullet and tackle the steep climb up through a breach in the hill's defences.
A particularly beautiful birch treeThe permitted path through mixed woodland below Whitbarrow ScarAn avenue of beech treesAfter some hard work, we arrived on the plateau, the woodland thinning out, and the views northwards opening out - the Helvellyn range looked particularly grand.
Birch woodland thinning out. Note the sprawling juniper trees.Wind blasted birch - life must be hard up here!
The Helvellyn range and the High Street hillsThere were quite a few people at the summit cairn on the highest point, Lords Seat, so we didn't stop. A path leads southwards along the ridge through some delightful country, limestone scarps; juniper and yew contorted by the wind; limestone country at it's best.
Limestone countryLimestone crag with windblown yewSunlit Howgills in the distanceLooking back towards Lords Seat, the highest point to the right. I can just make out the cairn.Contrast between Gummers How (left) and the Whitbarrow limestone country.Upper Kent Estuary, with Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof beyondThe descent from the south top is steep and muddy, and takes a few twists and turns to avoid the cliffs. The path is waymarked. We were pleased to get into the woodland again as a keen wind was blowing.
Heavily wooded hillside on the descentThe limestone country of South Cumbria is usually overlooked in favour of the higher fells, but there are some delightful valleys and dramatic limestone scars to explore, more intimate that the Yorkshire Dales, in my opinion.
And, an hour or two later....
Sunset from Heversham on the other side of the Kent.https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjgwMjg5Mg%3D%3DPS - the Derby Arms in Witherslack is well worth a visit.