Coledale and Grisedale Pike viewed from Walla Crag

Grisedale Pike looking accross Coledale from Scar Crags

Looking down in to Coledale from Crag Hill

Force Crag mine from Sail Fell

The Route
Your route starts in the village of Braithwaite and if you travel by car ther is a small carpark by the village church.
From the church walk back to the road and head up hill towards Whinlatter for 400m. At the point where the Force Crag mine road meets the road there are two choices, as you will see on the map, but for a gentler ascent take the series of steps on to the Fell in a northerly direction. The path comes out into the open and climbs steeply towards Grisedale Pike. At approx 350 metres the path gradient is gentler and you have the chance to take breath before another steep but rocky section brings you to the first summit of Grisedale Pike.

If the weather is clear your next objective will be clearly visible and the path takes a SW direction over Hobcarton Crag to Hopegill Head.
On a clear day the whole world is visible from Hopegill Head with views to Scotland, closer to hand and to the North Whinlatter Pass, and to the West Crummock Water.

A clear path now takes you South to a major path junction at Coledale Hause. (At this point, in poor weather or other emergency, the quickest way home is to descend via Force Crag and take the mine road back to Braithwaite).
The journey continues along a well trodden path in a S then SW direction. (it is possible to ascend via the rocky slopes of Eel Crag but it is very loose) The path eventually joins a major path junction from Grassmoor where you can take a left to the East (Unless you wish to add Grassmoor to the days summit tally)

The summit of Crag Hill with its trig point is clearly at the head of Coledale and the views back down the valley are superb with Skiddaw and Blencathra dominating the scene.

The path now heads SE accross The Scar to Sail Fell via steep and rocky descent. The pass of Sail is where the way takes you down and to Outerside but if you have chosen to add Causey Pike your route continues East. The path to Outerside leaves the Stoneycroft Gill path accross some boggy ground before climbing to the 568m summit. Continue NE to Stile End then descend to Barrow Door before the final ascent of the day to Barrow.

The summit of Barrow is a superb view point with Newlands Valley, Keswick and Derwentwater laid out below you. A mostly grassy path takes you down the slopes of Barrow to the farm of Braithwaite Lodge. Here a sign post points the directiiopn West and a short distance brings you to the lane where you turn right NE passing the Coledale Inn and returning to your start point.

The Coledale Inn is agreat place to linger and enjoy a meal and a drink.

Force Crag and the falls above the mine

On Sail Pass with Grisedale PIke behind

The view from the summit of Barrow showing Keswick and Derwentwater

On the summit of Causey Pike with Keswick in the background