Society Walks
The Society has organised walks for members since our very early days, the first being in April 2003 from Grasmere, taking in Dunmail Raise (by 555 bus!) and then Raise Beck, Grisedale Hause, Fairfield, Great Rigg and Stone Arthur. Since then we have had over 130 walks of various lengths and difficulty, all provided free to members.
SOCIETY WALKS 2026
Important: Safety is our priority at all times. All walk participants should:
- Wear stout boots or shoes suitable for rough, rocky and wet terrain.
- Have suitable clothing for all conditions as the weather can change quickly in a mountain environment.
- Bring something to eat and have sufficient water or other drinks even on a cold day.
- Check details of the walk and be sure you are fit enough to complete it.
Please note: Society members may bring along invited guests to take part in one Society walk as a ‘taster’ before, we hope, deciding to join.
Note: All participants in Society walks do so at their own risk.
Notification of Attending Walks
Advising the Walks Leader you intend to join a walk is always greatly appreciated.
In May the Society Challenge Walk for 2026 targets Nine Standards from Kirkby Stephen as part of our celebration of Wainwright’s A Coast to Coast Walk. In the Spring the ‘Coast to Coast’ will finally attain National Trail status.
We also visit Yorkshire again with a classic walk over the moors to Top Withins, famously associated with Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (1847). AW included a sketch of the ruined farmhouse in A Dales Sketchbook (1976) and also of Haworth in both the first book and the later A Second Dales Sketchbook (1978).
In mid-June we tackle the Old Man of Coniston, the superb mountain (2633’) that towers over the village and lake below. It was once part of Lancashire, reference: A Furness Sketchbook (1978) and A Second Furness Sketchbook (1979). There will be four further Society walks based in Lakeland. The traditional March starter from Staveley, prior to the AGM, will visit Hugill Fell and Reston Scar. As Chris Jesty mentioned in his revised edition of The Outlying Fells of Lakeland (2011) ‘YES…a traverse can be made’ between Hugill Fell and Reston Scar. AW had noted in the original edition (1974) that the route was blocked by walls and the lack of gates, in fact ‘finding a legitimate way ….is like trying to solve a bent-nail puzzle.’ Thankfully there is now a clear route.
In August we will sail on the Windermere steamer between Bowness and Lakeside prior to a walk over Finsthwaite Heights (The Outlying Fells) that includes the tower dedicated to 18th Century Royal Navy seafarers. The route also visits the village and High Dam, again subjects of AW sketches in his two Furness books.
A month later sees us cross the English border and visit Wales , spending a day in Conwy. During 1979 Alfred Wainwright, as he put it ‘emerged from slippered retirement’ (North Wales Sketchbook 1982) and walked extensively through the Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) and many nearby locations for the first time. AW admitted, in the introduction, that this was a ‘book of atonement’ for his previous failure to visit this magnificent area. Both the sketchbook and his Welsh Mountain Drawings (WMD) published a year earlier are a testament to his sheer enjoyment of these dramatic landscapes. He declared at the end of the sketchbook introduction that ‘Now I am under two spells and entranced by both’. AW dedicated WMD to esteemed British climber and photographer W.A.Poucher (1891-1988). Favourable tides will allow us a full appreciation of the Conwy estuary.
Our season ends, as in 2025, at Ullswater, that delightful lake and favourite of many. We will have a second attempt at catching the launch to Howtown and hiking back to Glenridding via The Ullswater Way. Hopefully our plans will not be disrupted by similar storm force winds that kept the launches tied up last October.
Looking forward to another season of great adventures.
*As always our walks are subject to the weather and best efforts will be made to maintain the Society’s programme. In the event of inclement conditions an alternative, safe walk will always be available.
All our walks require members to carry a picnic lunch.
Please also remember to bring plenty of water especially on the longer walks.
Members who are interested in joining the walks that include steamer travel should kindly advise the Walks Leader as soon as possible.
WALK DETAILS
6. Saturday 8th August
Location: Finsthwaite
Meet: Bowness Pier (Windermere Lake Cruises)
Time: 10:00 hrs
Steamer: 10:30 sailing for Lakeside
ETA: 11:10 at Lakeside
Distance: 6½ miles to walk
Ascent: 1420ft (433m)
Time: 4¾ hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The day includes an outward and return journey on one of the classic steamers operated by Windermere Lake Cruises (WLC). The service lately has been provided by M.V. ‘Teal’, built in 1936 at Vickers Shipyard Barrow. The forty minute voyage between Bowness and Lakeside is part of WLC’s Yellow Cruise, a beautiful journey amidst the life, islands and stunning shoreline of England’s largest lake.
Arriving from Bowness we leave Lakeside Pier on the West Windermere Way pass through Great Knott Wood and climb up to Finsthwaite Tower. As the ascent progresses a superb vista of Windermere opens up. The area was devastated by Storm Arwen in Nov 2021 but replanted by Woodland Trust in Feb 2024. It also created the view.
The Tower was erected in 1798 to mark three significant naval battles against three different navies during the late eighteenth century. The tower was lovingly restored between 2018 and 2023.
From the Tower we descend through the woodland of Summer House Knott and across fields to the charming village of Finsthwaite, passing St Peter’s Church, rebuilt by architects Paley & Austin in 1874.
After the village we climb to High Dam, a popular venue for wild swimmers, but built originally to supply water to nearby Stott Park Bobbin Mill. If time permits we will continue over the lower slopes of Great Green Hows to a location that provides a fabulous view of the Rusland Valley and the Coniston Range in particular.
AW included drawings of Lakeside, Finsthwaite Tower, St.Peter’s Church and the Dams in The Outlying Fells of Lakeland (ref Finsthwaite Heights and Gummer’s How) and also in his two Furness Sketchbooks.
The return steamer sails from Lakeside at 16:55.
Note that steamer services can be cancelled in the event of adverse weather conditions. If possible an alternative low level walk will be provided.
7. Saturday 5th September
Location: Conwy
Meet: Liverpool Arms, Lower Gate Street, waterfront
Time: 10:00 hrs
Distance: 6 miles
Ascent: 1310ft (400m)
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
AW sketched the Castle and Conwy estuary in North Wales Sketchbook (1982). We intend to visit both locations and also Mynydd y Dref (Conway Mountain), the site of an ancient Iron Age hill fort. The mountain (800 ft 244m), provides a superb view both seawards and inland. During late summer and early autumn it is clothed in heather.The walk will also include a perambulation of the historic town and harbour, a trio of impressive bridge river crossings and a notable statue of Llewelyn the Great, born c.1172. St.Mary’s churchyard contains a grave said to be associated with William Wordsworth. Conwy also possesses substantial Town Walls, 1¼ miles in length, that from above in outline, resemble a Welsh harp.
The tide will be flooding during the afternoon with LW predicted at 1135 and HW at 1737 hrs. This will enable us to appreciate the estuary in both conditions.
8. Saturday 26th September
Location: Glenridding: Ullswater & The Ullswater Way
Meet: Ullswater Steamer’s Pier
Time: 09:30 hrs
Launch: 09:45 sailing for Howtown
ETA: 10:20 at Howtown
Distance: 7½ miles to walk
Ascent: 1180ft (360m)
Time: 4¾ hours
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
We finish the walking season with a passage on one of Ullswater Steamer’s craft to Howtown, walking back via the Ullswater Way. The launch departs at 0945 and arrives at Howtown jetty at 1020.
Note that the service can be cancelled due to adverse conditions.
The footpath undulates, is rocky in places with many exposed tree roots, so extra care is required. Rounding Geordie’s Crag the route hugs the shoreline in Hallinhag Wood before reaching Sandwick Bay. This is a place to sit and watch wild life and also possibly see some sailing action as yachts frequently anchor close to the beach. The path moves inland after Sandwick and Beckside but returns to the shoreline at Scalehow Wood. The walk around Silver Point is stunning before we turn south and head for Blowick Bay. Red squirrels can sometimes be seen in this vicinity. Nearby is the large slate cairn, ‘Artists Seat’ dedicated to Turner, Ann Macbeth and John Glover, three artists who, as the inscription notes ‘were inspired by this landscape.’ The walk continues down to Side Farm with its popular campsite and ends up back in Glenridding.
Completed Society Walks in 2026
Saturday 28th March
Location: Staveley, Hugill Fell & Reston Scar
Meet: Staveley Village Hall
Start: 09:30 hrs
Distance: 4 miles
Ascent: 1040ft [317m]
Time: 2¾ hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The route for our annual Staveley walk tackles the two nearest ‘Outlying Fells’. Providing conditions are good underfoot it is also intended to visit Scroggs Bridge and Elfhowe. In 1860 Staveley was the local centre of the bobbin mill industry. Six such mills existed, including one at Scroggs Bridge. As last year we initially head north out of the village past the war memorial (1921). Pausing at Barley Bridge is one of our traditions and hopefully the River Kent, reputed to be the swiftest in the country, will display a spectacular flow over the weir.
Saturday 25th April
Location: Haworth & Top Withins
Meet: Bronte Parsonage Museum
Start: 10:00 hrs
Distance: 9 miles
Ascent: 1575ft [480m]
Time: 5½ hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The walk leaves the village by the parish church of St Michael & All Angels’, initially southwards along a gritstone flagged path that soon reaches open moorland. Some of the directions found on the finger posts hereabouts are in English and Japanese. Our route then follows the ‘Bronte Way’ westwards over Penistone Hill Δ (1030ft 314m). The elevation provides a fine view over Ponden, Stanbury and the Worth Valley. At Bronte Bridge we head north climbing up to ‘The Height’ to join the Pennine Way. There is then a steady ascent of 330 ft for 1¼ miles to the ruins of Top Withins. The descent begins along the small constricted valley, south of Harbour Hill returning to the village by Haworth Moor.
3. Saturday 16th May
Location: Kirkby Stephen & Nine Standards {Society Challenge Walk}
Meet: The Cloisters, Market Square
Start: 10:00 hrs
Distance: 9¼ miles
Ascent: 2000 ft [610m]
Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
The Westmorland town of Kirkby Stephen has a long history holding a market charter since 1353. It is also a significant stop on both AW’s Coast to Coast Walk and his Pennine Journey, a fact celebrated since 2013 on a paving slab in front of The Cloisters. The walk targets the summit of Nine Standards Δ (2171 ft 662m), following the route of our latest National Trail, The Coast to Coast Path. Leaving from The Cloisters we cross the River Eden by the 17th Century Frank’s Bridge to the hamlet of Hartley. Close by is the dismantled railway that once linked Tebay with Darlington. Much of the trackbed has been converted into a local trail that includes some spectacular viaducts. Clear of Hartley our route climbs relentlessly for 1½ miles but the views are spectacular. There are extensive quarrying activities in progress whilst nearby, at Fell House, alpacas graze. A good bridleway and then footpath lead easily to the summit. From a point in Faraday Gill one mile of gritstone slabs have recently been laid plus a substantial bridge that leads to Nine Standards and on to the Rigg trig point. There is also a view indicator commemorating the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. Coast to Coasters can also celebrate Nine Standards as the main watershed of the walk as the continue eastwards to Ravenseat and Keld.
4. Saturday 13th June
Location: Coniston & The Old Man
Meet: St Andrew’s Church, Coniston
Start: 09:30 hrs
Distance: 9½ miles
Ascent: 3280 ft [1000m]
Time: 7½ hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
This is, weather permitting, a full day’s walk ascending one of Wainwright’s favourite mountains. We will ascend by the direct, popular route. This starts behind the Sun Hotel and proceeds through woodland, above scenic Church Beck. A gradual climb in open country follows before the gradient increases as we pass through the old quarry workings and arrive at Low Water (1794ft – 547m). Resuming, we ascend steeply, the final half a mile, direct to the summit (2633ft – 803m).
Once the summit is attained and after a deserved rest, the northerly ridge will be followed over Brim Fell to Swirl How. Prison Band and Swirl Hause will be used for the descent to Levers Water. Again, with favourable conditions, we will cross the outlet to view Simon’s Nick, then descend Boulder Valley to the Pudding Stone before returning to Coniston via the Miners Bridge.
This is undoubtedly a very popular mountain to climb, especially on a Saturday in mid-summer. However, in Wainwright’s Favourite Lakeland Mountains (1991) the author noted ‘The Old Man stands aloof, forming with his satellite neighbours a compact mass to which, as befits his status as the undisputed overlord of the Coniston domain, he holds the key.’
‘The Old Man commands an unsurpassed panorama.’
In the event of adverse weather conditions, a replacement low level walk will be undertaken from the same meeting point in Coniston village.
5. Saturday 18th July
Location: Carrock Fell (2174ft – 663m) : Northern Fells
Meet: CalebreckGR:NY 345358 3.5 miles north of Mungrisdale & 1.6 miles south of Hesket Newmarket. There is plenty of roadside parking in the area
Time: 10:00am
Distance: 10 miles
Ascent: 1850ft (564m)
Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Important: MEMBERS SHOULD ADVISE THE WAINWRIGHT SOCIETY WALKS ORGANISER IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THIS INTERESTING WALK, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE.
The walk will explore Carrock Fell, High Pike and their environs.
AW in Northern Fells described Carrock Fell thus: ‘This rough little height is first and foremost a very rich geological field…. Amongst the igneous rocks is gabbro – the stuff the Black Coolin of Skye are made of’ and ‘its summit is unique, being ringed by the collapsed walls of an ancient hill-fort.’
Additional Walks in 2026
18th April
Two joint walks with the Pennine Journey Supporters Club (PJSC) based on Settle.
Meeting Point (for both walks):
Settle Friends Meeting House [FMH], 21 Kirkgate, Settle, BD24 9DX
Time: 09:30 for 10:00 start
Walk 1:
Distance: 9 miles
1275 ft (389m)
5.5 hrs
Route: Settle FMH, Stainforth Force, Feizor, Stackhouse, Settle FMH
Walk 2:
Distance: 5 miles
Ascent: 710 ft (217m)
Time: 4.0 hrs
Route: Settle FMH, Langcliffe, Langcliffe Quarry Trail including Hoffmann Kiln, Langclife Weir, Settle FMH
Members wishing to join either of these walks should contact PJSC Secretary Heather Leach on 01539 623675 or 075826 66457
Society Walks in 2025
Brunt Knott (Staveley), Edale & Kinder Scout, Saint Sunday Crag, Settle (with PJSC), Wharfedale & The Strid (including Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway), Borrowdale: Dock Tarn & Great Crag (with RGS), Scorton & Nicky Nook (Lancs), Grasmere: Easedale, Codale Tarns & Tarn Crag, Glenridding & the Ullswater Way.
A further selection of photos from previous Society walks…
