On-road loop round Ings

A 14km on-road loop (off-road routes being flooded by molten snow) in Dales Way country.

Route: Leaving the car at the Mill Yard in Staveley and taking the noisy cycle path / pavement by the A591 past Ings and then up the side road towards High Borrans but taking the first left towards Heaning. The planned unmade road being impassable, a detour on the metalled road back to the A591and then taking the narrow gated road signed to Blackmoss. Once on the hillside, taking the first left to meet the Dales Way and then following it back down into Staveley.

Conditions: Blustery and cloudy with a threat of rain and flooded slushy roads under foot.

Pub: The Hawkshead Brewery for Winter Warmer (a trial 4.5% beer) and WPA.

A 10km circuit in Troutbeck

An icy run while everyone else was sledging!

Route: Leaving the car on the first left turn before the church at Troutbeck and running through the Limefitt caravan park, past its Haybarn Inn (!) and thus onto the bridleway towards the head of the valley on the eastern side. At the Tongue, taking the second footbridge (near the north end of the Tongue) to return on the bridleway to the farm at Troutbeck Park where the planned route was to pick up the valley bottom road. Sadly confused when harried by dogs went off piste on the west of the beck over walls (once sinking knee deep) to reach the road once it had crossed back over the pretty stone bridge. Then back to cross the main road near the Queen’s Head and run up and along through the village to drop back to the start.

Conditions: Snowy and icy under foot, sometimes treacherously so. Cold.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for W’ruff Night and A Winter’s Tail.

Head of Kentmere run

A cold snowy run of 13-14km.

Route: Leaving the car by the side of the road just before the Waterfoot factory entrance and running along the road taking the Green Quarter turning and then along the road towards Brockstones and Hallow Bank and then descending to the valley floor to Overend where the road becomes a stony track to Tongue House. Then by a narrow grassy path, very muddy after the wet winter but partially frozen to reach the foot bridge just south of Kentmere Reservoir. Back along the bridleway, first down hill and then rising above Hartrigg, descending and rising again just before Kentmere. Then back along the road to the car.

Conditions: Low cloud and snow falling with a cool wind into our faces on the return.

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery for Hawkshead Red and WPA.