Height: 522 metres / 1713 feet Grid reference: NY 22828 01886

Sunset on Eskdale from Border End
Height: 522 metres / 1713 feet Grid reference: NY 22828 01886
Sunset on Eskdale from Border End
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 14:40
Weather: Sunny. 8°C
Sunshine was all around today and it was really quite warm and pleasant too. Today I was with Dougal alone, even on this relatively short and easy walk, as I have retired Casper from fell walking. His age has caught up with him now and he can no longer manage to wander the fells with us – sad but true. He will be retiring in comfort though with the knowledge he has led a great life getting to places other dogs can only dream of; we have spent many happy hours together. In the future I think he will be joining the Love the Lakes team as Chief Shop Dog so I think he will be regaling all and sundry with his tales from the fells should he be asked!
What a beautiful day and warm enough for shirt sleeves (for a while anyway as once over the top of Border End there was an icy wind blowing down the valley so fleece, hat and gloves were required!).
Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag with the lower subsidiary summit of Scafell Pike, Pen, foremost.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 14:30
Weather: Warm and sunny. 14C
Shorts and t-shirt was the attire for today as there was a bit of sunshine on my back and a return to warm weather – lovely it was too and what fantastic views this afternoon.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 13:35
Weather: Sunny and bright. 9C
I just had time to squeeze a quick walk in sunny conditions this afternoon up to Hard Knott. I love the view to the back of the Scafells from here and it was lovely and quiet up there today.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Border End from Hardknott Pass
Start Time: 16:20
Weather: Sunset. -1°C
There is something about watching a winter sunset from the fells that is very appealing and, I reckon, one of the finest things you can see from up on high. I did have the choice of going out in the beautiful clear sunshine of the day but decided to leave a walk until later and grab the sunset view. Of course I ended up leaving it all a little close for comfort and it ended up being a bit of a race to the top.
Once up there, all was silent and there wasn’t even a breath of wind, my fingers and face were numb with the cold and the beautiful final embers of sunlight made the icy ground glow. Magnificent.
The sun is low in the sky looking from the top of Wrynose Pass, Harter Fell and Hard Knott are the distant silhouettes. I am heading for Hard Knott but will I make it in time before the sunset?
I opted to head for the western side of Border End rather than going for Hard Knott - Casper and Dougal seem to know the way.
The view to Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Little Stand from the crossing to have a peek into Upper Eskdale.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour
Weather: Overcast with showers. 12C.
I had an early walk this morning to clear the cobwebs after a break in sunnier climes; I think Casper was desperate to get out on the fells after his enforced holiday so we were going out whatever the weather. Unfortunately it wasn’t so great with rain and cold blowing in but would I rather be abroad in 20C warmer sunshine, sipping a glass of red wine and having a thoroughly relaxing time with my family? Er…yes, of course I would – pass me another glass!
...and a look the other way into Upper Eskdale, the Scafells obscured by the low cloud this morning.
Looking in the opposite direction into Mosedale - Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags not in view today.
The top of Hardknott Pass. I mentioned we had been in sunnier parts of the world and we did make a couple of mountain visits...
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes
Weather: Cold and clear. 2ºC.
The blue skies returned today and once again there was fabulous winter clarity for a short walk up to Hard Knott from the top of the pass, taking in Border End and Eskdale Needle. The hardest part once more was actually the road journey up to the pass as the road was icy and one or two cars had failed in their mission to get to the top. Not to worry, we managed it and were rewarded with some of the finest views the Lake District has to offer.
What a fantastic view of Scafell Pike above Great Moss today with Broad Crag and Ill Crag beyond the spur of Pen.
Scafell and Mickledore. I've never noticed that ridge in the foreground before, but it looks interesting and may be worthy of a look sometime.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Hard Knott – Border End – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour
Weather: Clear. 5oC.
Today I didn’t have such a long walk, it was rather an appreciation of the surroundings and a magnificent sunset over what must be one of the finest views from any fell, overlooking Eskdale to the Scafells. The views in the photos may all be quite similar, but the ever changing light certainly made them seem a bit different and added a lovely hue to the surroundings.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Sunny. 17oC.
It was bright and sunny for our early start this morning for this relatively easy climb to Hard Knott from the top of Hardknott Pass. This walk offers superb views to the Scafells and Upper Eskdale and from here virtually the whole of the Scafell walk I completed earlier this year can be viewed from this lofty position. Getting out early has its advantages, namely clearer skies with less haze and deserted fell tops. For added interest, Connie also hunted out the Geocache lying near the summit. It’s hard to resist hidden treasure when you are 6!
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Clear above the clouds. 4oC.
After the deluge of last week, the weather has taken a turn for the better – at least it has if you can get above the fog that hangs in the lower parts. We had a walk to Hard Knott this morning to see if we could do just that and I think we just timed it right to arrive at the top of Border End. Connie was thrilled to see a great inversion and Brocken Spectres, in fact she classed it as the best walk she had ever done, though I’m sure she has said that before!
On the drive to Hard Knott, it was evident that some of the fog was very low lying with the cold temperatures so the first few shots are taken from car stops.
When we set off for Border End, it was really cold in the mist. We wondered whether we would get high enough to get above the cloud - it was touch and go...
Here on the summit of Border End there was an eerie light, as though we were on the very edge of the mist.
Suddenly...as if by magic - the parting of the clouds. There is a Brocken Spectre bottom left, just about visible.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes
Weather: Clear. 20oC.
It was a lovely morning and a welcome sight after the miserable rain of yesterday. We had a walk to Border End and Hard Knott which give fine views of Eskdale and the Scafells. Angus and Casper had a swim in one or two of the mountain tarns and after a visit to the Roman fort, another swim (or bath!) in the River Duddon on the way home.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Eskdale Needle – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 250 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weather: Sunny and warm. 12oC.
It was another day of blue sky and sunshine today and things are certainly starting to warm up and turn green here. It is a short walk from the Hardknott Pass summit – supposedly the steepest road in England – to Border End and Hard Knott for some of the finest views to be had anywhere in the Lake District. Casper certainly seems to be getting into the groove and enjoying roaming the fells.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Warm with a breeze. 18°C.
Today’s walk was up to Hard Knott via Border End from the summit of Hardknott Pass; a short and sharp ascent over some boggy ground. The weather steadily improved until the clouds completely lifted from nearly all the high fells.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End (326) – Hard Knott (327) – Eskdale Needle – Yew Bank (328) – Throstlehow Crag (329) –Scar Lathing (330) – High Scarth (331) – Silverybield (332) – Scale Bridge – Taw House – Brotherilkeld – Hardknott Castle Roman Fort – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 1940 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 35 minutes
Weather: Snow, rain, sleet, wind! 5oC.
Today’s walk is a round of Upper Eskdale, one of the wildest and best valleys in the Lake District. At the head of Eskdale lie the ‘heads of state’ of English mountains, namely Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Esk Pike and Bow Fell and this area offers some of the finest views anywhere.
Once again, it seems winter has returned with snow showers present throughout the walk and fresh snow on top of the high fells.
Approaching Hard Knott. The many electric fences in this area (one can be seen to the right) certainly made Angus squeak when he 'got it wrong'.