Wednesday 25th February 2026
Langholm
Grade 3, approx 7 miles
Leader: Nancy McClure
Seventeen walkers, including new or newish members, and Lola, the dachshund, set off from the car park in dry conditions. However, the forecast of rain proved to be accurate but we climbed the track to the summit of Warbla hoping the weather would improve. Lola and her human decided correctly that they had had enough. We made our way down into the shelter of the Kernigal wood and after sampling the bike track, soon found the good track down to Skippers Bridge. The walk continued along the banks of the River Esk and then we slowly followed the path along the contours of Whita Hill. Some walkers were very wet by this point so accompanied Anne back to the town. Nine determined walkers braved the last climb up to the stile and Whita Well before seeking the delights of First Bite and Pelosi’s Cafe. Thanks to all who came for their cheerful company, to Ken and Anne and Ming for all their help and support.
Kind regards
Nancy
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Carlisle to Dalston
Leader: Sandra Stockley
Photos: Sharron Murray
Seven of us met at the train station entrance, including Pau, who was out with us for the first time; hopefully he will join the club. We crossed the Victoria Viaduct and joined the cycle track. It’s a popular route for cyclists and dog walkers. I saw what is known as the Millennium seat, for the first time. Judy left us there to catch the bus from Cummersdale. It us took about two hours to do the walk. The Caldew was flowing swiftly but there was no flooding. Despite plenty of cloud cover, the sun shone on and off and the temperature was high for February. Lambs were running on the other side of the Northern Railway. After lunch, provided by Sandra, the walkers caught the 2.30pm bus back to Carlisle.
Coach Walk 22nd February 2026
Walk A
Blencathra
Leader: Pete Rutland
Photos: A selection from Pete Rutland, Malcolm Iredale, Astrid Carss, Mark and Gill A
The group, having been dropped off near Scales, headed up to Mousethwaite for the start of the climb. The higher we got the thicker the mist got and the wind increased. It was a challenge getting to the summit and it was no place for anything other than a picture. We had been joined on route by Gillian Browne, who hopefully will be a new member, so welcome to her. We hadn’t long been off the top when we were joined by another new member in the shape of a lost trail hound. He was obviously lost and had no map or compass so we had no choice but to help him out and get him home. Luckily he was very friendly, probably due to the fact he could smell some sort of food on everyone of us. This proved to be correct ,when we stopped for lunch and he proceeded to mug everyone for some sort of treat. What a lovely dog our new mate was, he was happy being put on an improvised lead and was a great help dragging us down the fell at a greater speed than is recommended. As we approached the Blencathra Centre there were a number of people scanning the fells with binoculars, as it turned out, looking for the one hound that had gone AWOL. This was our mutt that had just about been adopted as the club mascot but we had no option but to hand him over. They were very pleased to get him back and thanked us for finding him even though he was some what fatter than when he set out. Apparently this is unusual for a hound that has been on the hills running for three hours.
For us it was then down through the woods to the railway line walk and back into Keswick. Teas and beers were had, depending on your taste before picking up the coach. Thanks to everyone who came on the walk, it ended out a good day and yet again....we beat the rain. See you next time Pete.
B Walk
Walla Crag
Leader: Christine Milton
Photos: A selection from Christine Milton and Mandy Gilpin
Wonderful to be able to share one of my favourite walks today with twenty-four other club members and gorgeous, friendly Snowy. We made our way from Keswick to the summit of Walla Crag for some fabulous views over Derwentwater. A quick break here as the breeze was becoming a little chilly. On to Ashness Bridge, where we were able to take lunch in the amazing Spring sunshine. We returned to Keswick mostly along the lakeside visiting the Centenary Stone, though non were tempted to paddle out to it. Once in Keswick, members chose their preferred destination of shopping or cafés. Much hilarity over the “empty tea pot” that really took the biscuit .. be careful what you ask for haha. Many thanks to Ken for back-marking and everyone for their wonderful company.
Christine
C Walk
Threlkeld to Theatre in the Lake
Leader: Sharron Murray
Photos: Sharron Murray
Just the five of us started from Threlkeld Cricket Club for this pleasant walk. It didn't take us very long to the village hall at Threlkeld for a comfort break before we walked through this pretty village to join the Threlkeld to Keswick Railway Walk. It was fine but with a biting wind, so we stepped out. The unintended consequence of that, was we arrived at the old Keswick Station before noon. We had lunch and then had a couple of hours in town spending money on walking gear, (me and Jill), perusing the shops, (Ann, Paul and Sandra) and drinking coffee or beer before continuing on to the remainder of the walk up towards Borrowdale before turning to skirt Cockpit Wood and Friar's Crag to the Theatre on the Lake. Thank you to those who joined me. Sharron
Friday 20th February 2026
Social Evening at Waterton Hall
Speaker: Martin Harris of the Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
After a very interesting talk, Martin provided the details below for those who might be interested and those who would like to follow up on his talk.
Wednesday 18th February 2026
Ullswater and the Cockpit
6 miles, grade 2/3
Leader: Bruce McMillan
Photos by Mandy Gilpin and Bruce McMillan
Fifteen of us and Snowy the pooch came out today for a non rainy but cold and windy shortish walk. The views were lovely with snow on the higher mountains and clear all round. We had a banana break at the turn at Auterstone wood. Further on, opposite Barton Park, Judith suggested we have lunch there rather than at the Cockpit. Good call as we didn't stay long at the Cockpit due to the freezing wind! We made it back to Pooley for refreshments in cafe and pub.
Thanks to all who braved the cold, even Snowy, who was the only minor casualty of the day, giving a ditch a "Glasgow"kiss and being called Blacky for a while. 🤣 Bruce.
Sunday 15th February 2026
High Pike and Carrock Fell
Leader: Ian Rowley
Photos: a selection from Linda Scott, Astrid Carss and Ian Rowley
Challenging weather conditions today for 16 club walkers in the wintry fells above Caldbeck. We climbed a snowy High Pike in windy but dry weather then crossed the boggy summit of Milton Hill after a little bit of tricky route finding in the snow. The weather quickly changed to driving hail and sleet and the visibility dropped. There was a brief respite as we made Carrock Fell but we didn’t linger long in the sub zero conditions and made our way carefully down to the cars at Calebreck
Thanks to everyone who came out and assisted with navigation!
Wednesday 11th February
Slaggyford and South Tyne Trail
8 miles, Grade 4
Leader: Ian Rowley
Photos: Ian Rowley
Fourteen hardy souls, including first-timer Paul, defied the weather forecast and enjoyed a moist outing, although the rain clouds lifted a little in the early afternoon. An easy paced ramble of about 8 miles, crossing and recrossing the river South Tyne with lots of snowdrops and catkins along the way.
We weren’t too soggy by the end of the walk and refreshments were enjoyed at the splendid Hallbankgate community hub.
Thanks to every who came along.
Ian
Tuesday 10th February 2026
A6 Litter Pick
Leader: Sharron Murray
Photos: Pete Rutland & Judy Cherrie
Fifteen members turned out for February's litter pick, thank you. We were lucky with the weather which stayed dry and fairly warm for the time of year. We worked our way up and down the A6 from the Golden Fleece for a half mile before moving on to the roundabout. We found some strange stuff including three petrol caps, a gum shield, several pieces of unidentifiable metal and road signs amongst other more usual litter. I forgot to count the bags but I reckon it was around twenty five for the council to pick up. We called for refreshments at the Beefeater before tackling more of the rubbish. Some of it was quite disgusting, thanks to men that can't be bothered to get out of their vehicles. We left Ian still tackling the roundabout when we left at 2pm to take the bus back to town. I hope you got back OK, Ian.
Please support the clubs next litter pick on 4th March; this is a good way to give something back to our community.
Sharron
Sunday 8th February 2026
Fellbarrow and Low Fell
Leader: Astrid Carss
Photos: A selection from Pete Rutland, Martina and Astrid Carss
Good walk today with the group. Sixteen of us completed the walk today of Loweswater Fell, Low Fell and Fellbarrow. Even though there was a poor forecast, the weather held out. We took it slow today with a lovely mixed ability group. Good craic and lots of laughs. There were beautiful clear views, we could see patches of snow remaining on the higher fells and views over the West coast.
Bit muddy underfoot, but at least we stayed dry.
Well done to one of our new members, Albert, for achieving his first couple of Wainwright's, and to all other members achieving new Wainwright's on their journey. We went to the Kirkstile Inn for drinks afterwards.
Thankyou all for coming along. Lovely day and lovely company. Astrid
Wednesday 4th February 2026
Canonbie
Leaders: Ann & Ken Halliday
Photos: A selection from Mandy Gilpin and David Elsworth
First of all, an apology. The advertised 7 miles turned out to be nearer nine. We hope all legs have now recovered. Twenty-two brave souls set off on a murky, drizzly day, firstly venturing down the Esk towards the border, (scaling Canonbie's 39 Steps en route!), before turning to follow the Lidde along the Scottish side to the old railway viaduct and following the line (muddy in parts!) to Rowanburn and a welcome lunch stop in the shadow of Lang Sandy. Returning to Canonbie was by way of two of the area's soggier fields, the Fairy Loup path; (no fairies in evidence, but plenty of water going over the waterfall!), before reaching the old A7 road.
Very welcome refreshments were taken at the Community Café in Canonbie Kirk. They coped magnificently with such an influx of bodies and still offer extraordinarily good value!
Thank you all for being such an appreciative (and forgiving) group. Special thanks to Anne for able co-leading and for her hard work in organising the teas.
Haste ye back.
Ken
Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Birdoswald circular
Leader: Sharron Murray
Photos: Sharron Murray and Christine Wood
Five of us set off from the market on the new Hadrian's Wall bus, very excited to see the route. We were not so excited when we alighted at Birdoswald into what felt like a howling gale. Of course the wind was blowing straight into our faces stinging our cheeks with the light rain. By the time we had reached Willowford Bridge the rain had gone and we were more sheltered from the biting wind, giving us the opportunity to enjoy looking at the remains of the Roman bridge. It couldn't last and when we reached the top again the wind tore into us once more. Luckily it was only another mile to Gilsland where we stopped for coffee at Meg's. We decided to get the bus back, but due to a timetable mix up we missed it. That gave us the opportunity to visit Poltross Burn Milecastle before walking back and along the road towards Birdoswald. We were almost at the top of the hill when the bus came up behind us so we flagged it down, and we were delivered back to Carlisle in the warmth. It wasn't quite to plan but it was good to try out the new bus service. I can see more walks along the wall in the better weather.
Sunday 1st February 2026.
Harter Fell and Kentmere Pike from Mardale Head.
Grade 1, nearly 7 miles.
Leader: Pete Rutland
Photos: A selection from Astrid Carss, Anne Tye & Pete Rutland
Only eight set off for Mardale on a day that pretty much looked like we would get some sort of soaking, according to the weather man. A bit cold with the tops covered in clag as we set off. I think everyone had warmed up by the time we hit the top of Gatescarth Pass. We made great time onto Harter Fell without any rushing. There were only bits of snow remaining and just a light wind. We headed off to Kentmere Pike where we had lunch. After lunch it was back to Harter Fell, there was no wind at all on this side of the valley and we were soon down at the shelter at Nan Bield. A short break was taken before going down to Smallwater Tarn. The clag cleared and as ever there were great views down over the tarn and onto Haweswater far below. The becks were full and looking spectacular. The rain we were dreading never materialised and we had a completely dry day. It was then to Haweswater Hotel where we had cups of various beverages apart from Roger who appeared to only have half a glass of Hot chocolate, must have run out of milk Roger. Apart from that all in all a good days walking. Thanks to the gang who came out.
Regards Pete.
