Start point: Grasmere Church (NY 336 073)
Grasmere – Allan Bank – Silver How – Spedding Crag – Dow Bank – Grasmere
Distance: 3.7 miles Total Ascent: 363 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 09:40
Weather: Changeable. 8C
It was a strange morning that didn’t look as though it would ever dry up with heavy rain early on. Up on high, things did change for the better though, much better.
Silver How route map.
It was quite a gloomy start through Grasmere, here on the road towards Allan Bank (Wordsworth's residence 1808-1811).
Seat Sandal above the rooftops of Grasmere.
A panoramic view from Helm Crag to Stone Arthur with lots of interesting and quickly shifting clouds around.
Following the ancient path.
Raining now at the top of the path looking back towards Grasmere.
Panoramic from the gate.
The way ahead, following the green path between the bracken.
Helm Crag.
More shifting clouds, this time looking across to Stone Arthur and Great Rigg.
Silver How ahead.
It seemed to be brightening up a little here now.
The Vale of Grasmere.
Wow, what happened there? It was like a different day in the blink of an eye with blue sky and sunshine.
Silver How summit, the Coniston fells rising above the cloud.
Casper and Dougal - sun kissed and muddy.
Looking northwards, that big bank of cloud was over Grasmere and spreading my way. The Langdales to the west weren't visible all morning so I seemed to be in a small sunny pocket.
The path towards Elterwater - I wasn't sure where I was going to end up really, it depended on the weather so I had a bit of an aimless wander around.
Eventually I descended southwards here looking towards Dow Bank from the big cairn.
Grasmere and Rydal Water.
Autumn in the Vale of Grasmere.
Spedding Crag.
Lovely colours in the sunshine.
The path to Silver How (summit to the left) from the wall corner.
Following the wall to Grasmere.
Mirrored Grasmere.
Access to the Silver How lane, right.
Island reflection.
Silver How.
Silver How across Grasmere and a bit of sunlight on the trees. Later...
Low Wood jetty.
The Langdale Pikes making a brief appearance, taken from Low Wood.
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.
Windermere - paradise?