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Over fifty years ago, renowned British hillwalker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright described 214 peaks in the English Lake District in his seven-volume illustrated Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. A walking trail based around public transport is great. But only if the public transport actually works.
Given that we are on the corner of three of the Guide areas, Central, Eastern and Far Eastern, Elder Grove B&B is a fantastic base for exploring the fells in Wainwright’s footsteps. East of Ambleside – The Far Eastern Fells The Southern Fells – Walking The Wainwrights Adventurer Nic peeks out of her tent during a wild camp in Eskdale at sunset Alfred Wainwright documented the 214 ‘official’ peaks, and to summit all 214 fells is considered the ultimate peak bagging of the Lake District.Alfred Wainwright completed a seven-volume series called A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells , in which he detailed the 214 Lake District Fells now known as The Wainwrights. What is interesting about this selection of Fells is that they were not chosen for their scale or grandeur… they were chosen because they were his favourites. What Are The Wainwrights As there are so many Wainwrights to explore, it means there is a real variety of fells in terms of terrain and incline level which is great as it means there really is something for everyone. Some of the more popular fells that people of an average fitness level can enjoy include Catbells, Hallin Fell and High Rigg, Binsey. Latrigg is one of the lowest fells, and so it's a great walk for almost everyone that still boasts beautiful views. Wainwright Bagging” has become a popular challenge over the years. If you haven’t heard of it, it involves climbing to the top of all 214 Cumbrian fells that author Alfred Wainwright described in his famous walking guides. It’s an amazing way to see different parts of the Lake District and to challenge yourself to get to know the mountains.
Their favoured path? "Hall's Fell is a good route,” says Dan. “There's a bit of scrambling - though you can avoid it if you'd like - and then there's nothing too exposed. The key thing is that you pop out straight at the top. Then you’re able to look south, along The Dodds towards Helvellyn." The book provides fascinating route choices for areas with awkwardly, scattered peaks where planning your route without local knowledge would certainly not be as efficient. I really loved the clarity with which the authors highlight the location of the Wainwright summit which is often not the fell's true high point. Not really seen that as clear in any Wainwright guide before. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, then Yewbarrow and Middle Dodd are where you’ll want to head. Although they are not the highest at 628m and 654m respectively, the ascents are steep making them a real physical challenge.Using our experience and intimate knowledge of the Lake District we have put together a series of 59 day walks that are well within the capabilities of any average fell walker that not only visit all 214 of the fells identified by Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells but also visits some of the loveliest valleys, passes and ridges in the The Lake District. Karen and Dan have been running, walking and orienteering in the Lake District fells for over three decades now. "It's been part of my whole life," says Dan. We caught up with the Parkers to ask for five of their favourite Wainwrights routes. Wainwright One: Gowbarrow Fell (481m) Despite being a low fell, surrounding views mean Gowbarrow can feel quite mountainous. Photo: Getty This beautifully presented, well-researched guide is inspirational and would make a perfect gift (Christmas is fast-approaching!) not only for anyone who is considering the best way to ‘bag’ all 214 Wainwrights in the most efficient way, but for anyone who loves the Lake District and is just wanting to plan an enjoyable day out on the fells. Basically, there is so much good fell walking within easy reach of Elder Grove B&B that it’s hard to cover it in a blog post. We’ve loved exploring the area and we hope you’ll enjoy finding out more and then exploring the fells using Elder Grove B&B as your base. We’re always interested in our guests’ experiences so, if you bag a Wainwright (or three) during your stay with us, please let us know how you got on so that we can pass on your advice to future visitors.
The 508 bus from Penrith allowed me to access the Eastern fells and Far Eastern fells via Ullswater. A really pretty route down the side of the lake.But you don’t need to climb high to bag a Wainwright. Both Nab Scar and Stone Arthur are more accessible but with similar great views. Mind you, any fell walk should be taken reasonably seriously with strong footwear and a clear map. Northwest of Ambleside – The Central Fells With this problem in mind, Peak Bagging: Wainwrights by Karen and Dan Parker features forty-five routes designed to link up these iconic fells so you can enjoy the challenge of completing them at your own pace – over years, months or even just a few weeks. The Far Eastern Fells – Walking The Wainwrights Adventurer Nic hiking on the Kentmere Horseshoe on the Far Eastern Walking the Wainwrights route Blencathra is obviously a very popular hill,” Dan says. “It's very accessible from the motorway, so a lot of people stop there en route to somewhere else, or go there because it's easy to get to. But it's also got so much variety. There's the standard five tongues leading off it, each of which you can go up, and there's the excitement of Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell. There's a bit of scrambling, too. Then there's the sort of northern routes; with a mix of smooth and bobbly terrain."
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome. If you choose this route, don’t forget to stop off at the hermit caves where adventurer Millican Dalton lived for many years. This lovely little Wainwright route up Silver How is very convenient for Grasmere. You start in the centre of the village and pass through the grounds of Allan Bank (once home to William Wordsworth and now a National Trust property). The paths are easy to follow, and the only really steep section is towards the top, after which you’ll be presented with views towards the famous Langdale Pikes. The route down is mostly steps, which makes things a little easier on your knees! This means you can charge your phone whilst you travel the Lake District by bus which I found very useful.Three Men In a Boat (To Say Nothing of Another Writer Reading It For Bits He Could Quote In His Own Work) While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions. Orrest Head holds a particularly special place in the repertoire of any Wainwright Bagger. This is the spot where the great man himself is said to have first fallen in love with the area. It also happens to be one of the easiest mountains to climb in the Lake District! I was always taking lots of photographs along my journey and so the extra opportunity to recharge my phone battery along the way was handy. The Western Fells – Walking The Wainwrights Adventurer Nic walks along Mellbreak in the Western fells on the Walking the Wainwrights adventure
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