Start point: Stonestar (SD 202 912)
The Dunnerdale Fells (OF) from Stonestar
Weather: Dull and overcast, some sunny spells.
A short walk this morning to the Dunnerdale Fells from Stonestar on the Duddon Bridge – Ulpha road. This walk follows Wainwright’s Dunnerdale Fells chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 132.
NOTE (added 13th July 2004) – The summit of The Dunnerdale Fells described in this walk is incorrect – see 13th July walk for an update.
The walk starts opposite Stonestar and follows a distinct path, almost like a terrace following a rocky ravine to the ridge.
The Pike from Stonestar.
The path up from Stonestar.
Looking down the rocky ravine to the River Duddon and the fell road. At the top of the ravine after following the stream, it's a sharp right turn across level ground. There is plenty of evidence of old civilisation along here as there is an abundance of ancient cairns and stone walls. Follow the path until a solitary holly tree and then the path joins with one from the left and veers to the right.
The solitary holly tree. When the path reaches a high point, strike out for the rocky, cairned summit knoll which is un-named on O.S maps, this whole area being given the general name of Dunnerdale Fells.
The rocky summit knoll of the Dunnerdale Fells.
Black Combe from the summit of the Dunnerdale Fells.
Looking from the cairned summit to the Duddon Estuary. From the summit, head back to the holly tree and follow the path to the right which takes you directly back to the fell road, a quarter of a mile from Stonestar.
A babbling brook on the descent...
and the River Duddon