■Distance: 10½ miles/17km ■Time: 7½ hours ■Grade: Challenging
Some of the rolling fells on the eastern fringes of the Lake District seem to be a million miles from the popular summits around Ambleside and Grasmere.
Out here, you can often walk all day without seeing another soul and the wild horseshoe around littleknown Bannisdale is a long but often straightforward route.
The route, with expansive views, is just within the boundary of the National Park.
The tops gently rise and fall, with only a couple of rocky outcrops along the way, and dip to cross the head of the valley by Borrowdale Moss.
From here, the walk turns south-east over White Howe before dropping to the shady woodland around Bannisdale High Bridge.
1 Start
From lay-by, take narrow lane towards Mosergh Farm and, just before buildings, fork R on bridleway.
Follow track uphill, through gate, to sheepfolds – small gate on R connects to Open Access land.
Fork R over open moor towards Whiteside Pike, where rocky ramp leads to summit and cairn (there’s a Millennium stone with carved inscription).
2 1½ miles/2.2km
Descend NW from top (no path) and head to junction of walls.
Cross stone stile with two steps on each side and walk N, with wall on R, and cross ladder stile.
Turn L and follow fence past large stone post to meet indistinct quad track leading N along broad ridge. Pass through gate, with glimpses of Dub Ings Wood on R, and keep on to go through another gate at rolling top of Capplebarrow.
PLAN YOUR WALK
Start/parking Small lay-by on lane below Mosergh Farm, just off the A6 north of Kendal, grid ref SD530999, postcode LA8 9JY Is it for me?
Rough open hillsides, unthreatening slopes but few established paths; some tracks lower down Stiles 5
Nearest town Kendal Refreshments Nothing on the walk but lots of options in Kendal Public toilets None Public transport None Maps OS Explorer OL7; Landranger 90 & 97
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