A very happy New Year to you all. Our first Wednesday Walkies post is slightly delayed due to being away on holiday but what a fabulous walkies we did have.
We were away for a 4 night New Year break, staying at the fabulous
Inn on the Square based right in the centre of dog friendly Keswick. It's a small but really lovely dog friendly hotel, and in our Herdwick room we were greeted with beautifully soft blankets for the dogs and dog bowls, and a delightful box of chocolates for us!
Being a New Year break, there were activities offered throughout our stay, which we happily joined in with. A candlelit walk down to the lake, a surprise walk and treasure hunt were just a few of the activities on offer.
The best activity by far was the surprise walk on New Years day. Now we are accustomed to fell walking, and the girls absolutely love exploring what the fells have to offer and the sheep, so we were certainly prepared for a strenuous walk (even with the flu).
From the doorstep of the hotel, a group of us headed off, up past Fitz Park and into Brundholme woods on a steady incline enjoying taking in the views of the fells to the south, including Helvelyn and finally climbing up the east ridge ( a little steeper now) onto the summit of Latrigg.
Here we are at the summit, yet another of Wainwright's bagged for us. We were only missing a bottle of champagne (or pawsecco) to toast in the new year. The views from one of the smallest fells at just 1,207 ft elevation is still worth worth it, as you have a 360* view of the surrounding area, Skiddaw, Winlatter, Catbells and Derwent water and beyond.
Blessed with a beautiful winters day, and the sun streaking through the clouds, the view could be classed as a piece of heaven. It's certainly my heaven anyway.
Should you be unable to make the entire walk, there is a carpark near the top at the back, and it's a quick stroll on a limited mobility path to the summit and a beautiful viewpoint were you can all be spotted from those down below in Keswick.
Having stayed previously a couple of times at this hotel we find its positioning great for walks from the doorstep. It is easily possible to spend an entire week here and not use your car at all, which we love to do. There are a range of walks from Keswick for all abilities, including, a 9 mile walk around the lake, the local fells Skiddaw, Latrigg, Catbells, Walla Cragg and for those less adventurous are the Threlkeld railway path (closed until Autumn 2020), a meander down to the lake with a trip around the lake on the Keswick Launch and much much more.
No matter what the weather is like in the lakes, there is beauty all around you, and certainly worth a visit.
Have you visited the lakes before? We would love to know which is your favourite walk?
