Dove Dale 7th July 2026

 

The car park at Dove Dale is now run by NT which is much better than before. Headed up past the stepping stones and after a couple of miles crossed the footbridge signposted for Stanshope. Stopped in Hall Dale for some breakfast ad then completed the loop to Milldale before returning back all the way down the river to the car park.

8 miles in glrious sunshine. There were hundreds of school kids out on field trips along the Dove, so the loop to Stanshope was lovely and quiet in comparison. No elevation data for some reason. I found out later that a reset fixed this.

Codno Castle 1st July 2026

 

Short 4 mile circuit from Codnor Park resevoir.

Codnor Castle

Nice and easy but it cleared the cobwebs. 4 Miles

Sca Fell 17th June 2026

 Trip Up to the lakes the night before with Anne to stay at Richard and Jen's Lodge. We had a nice evening and then Richard and myself got up early for the drive to Wasdale for the start of the walk.

Once we left Wasdale it wasn't long before the rain and clag set in. Added to that was a sketchy (sometimes non existent) path and a relentlessly steep gradient. Because of all this - not many pics. Pretty soon my boots had filled up with water which had dripped down my legs. I guess I should have packed gaiters. Richard's feet were wet even quicker as he had a leak in both of his boots. After a while Richard was experiencing a racing heart beat, so we stopped for a rest and a hot drink. My hands were so cold it took me several minutes to rip open the satchet of coffee I had brought.

Nice view before we started climbing

Looking back down the start of the climb

We kept having to check the route

After, losing the path a few times we finally reached the summit - wet cold and miserable !!

I managed to convince Richard it was a bad idea to then hike onto Slight Side. We were both wet and cold, and the clag was thick. It is only over a mile away, but with no path down from there. The option would have been to pick a route down on the open fellside, or retrace our steps back to Scafell. As it was the descent from Scafell was steep and sketchy. As on the way up we kept losing the path, but eventually emerged from a hardrigg gill valley about a mile from Burnmoor tarn, where we manaaged to find a decent path back to Wasdale.

Burnmoor Tarn

Back down out of the clag

We stopped while this flock was moved down the lane

A tough hike. six hours 46 minutes. 6.5 miles. 3000 ft ascent.

Coast to Coast Day 12 May 31 2026

 Day 12 - last day. Can't beleive I got this far. We spent the night at an air BNB about 3 miles from Grosmont. It was a flet in a converted barn (grannie's attic at Sleights). After checking in we drove to Whitby for food. As there was no food supplied at the airbnb we also stopped at a supermarket, to get some food for breakfast.

Another lovely days walking apart from one section of Fylingdales Moor which was sadly recovering from a wildfire which happened last summer.

The start of the walk was a steady , steep climb along a minor road up onto sleights Moor. No problem with this although it would have been a real challenge if it was at the end of the day.

After Sleights moor there was a lovely section through Littlebeck woods, including plenty of places to sit for a break, an 18th century folly and a spectacular waterfall (Falling Foss)

The Hermitage, an 18th century folly in Littlebeck woods

Dropping down to Littlebeck

Falling Foss

Littlebeck Woods

Before leaving Littlebeck woods I stopped for something to eat and a cup of coffee (bringing the insulated bottle has been a real success on this trip).

Sleights Moor

Nearly at the coast

So lucky to get this pic of a beautiful adder

Some of the effects of last years wildfire

The North Sea

All the way from the irish sea

I really slowed down on the last mile and a half, but finally walked down the hill from the top of Robin Hoods Bay down to the shore where I met Anne, for the ceremonial pebble tossing.

A brilliant last days walk. An amazing adventure, and something I would love to do again.

15.6 miles  6 Hours 46 mins. Ascent 2,200 ft