Lake District Trek - Threlkeld to Braithwaite

Today was the first day of my annual hill walking trek with old friend Al from Gloucester.

It’s just 5 days this time as I wasn’t sure my bad back would last the usual 8 days.

We started from the Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld. Jolly nice Snecklifter on draught. The forecast was for a sunny day but it was overcast with low clouds on the hills.

We stayed in Threlkeld so that we could climb Blencathra and I could take some photos from the top. Unfortunately, the view extended for all of 20 yards, so no pictures.

The descent wasn’t that interesting either as there was no view until we were quite low.

As we made our way down to the river we started seeing bridges half washed away by the December storms. Then further on our route was completely blocked by fencing, 2 bridges had been washed away making the path impassable. One of the bridges was an enormous old metal railway bridge, it was sitting in the river bed quite a way from where it was 2 years ago when we walked over it!

The shortest alternative added just under 2 miles to our route but there was no choice.

We walked into Keswick and headed for the Oddfellows Arms, an old favourite in the town centre, for a swift Snecklifter. Then it was along to the Royal Oak in Braithwaite, our lodgings for the night.

I carried my Mamiya 7 camera all day but didn’t take any photos, just the few snaps below on my Moto-X phone.

Tomorrow we head over Causey Pike to Loweswater to stay at the brewery!

View near Blencathra Centre