Jeffrey's Mount and Borrowdale

 Wednesday 18th May 2022 

Walk 10 "Jefferey's Mount and Borrowdale" from: The Lune Valley and Howgills, Dennis and Jan Kelsall, Cicerone Press.

A large part of my attraction for walking comes from exploring new ground. But today I had no reservations about including part of the M6/A6 Borrowdale.  I discovered this Borrowdale years ago and fondly imagined it as my own secret valley and so it became one of my all-time favourite locations.

Amongst many visits over the years I have walked the southern ridge of this horseshoe but not the northern and I was pleased to find the secret to its access to Jeffrey's Mount from the north.

It is noticeable the change in scenery between the Howgills to the east and the now Lake District hills to the west separated by the M6. The Howgills for me have a kind of lonely sameness overall whereas back in Borrowdale and beyond we are in the true friendly and incomparable Lake District territory..

After parking at Lune Bridge a bit of tarmac leads to the climb up to Jeffrey's Mount which proved to be relatively easy, the sun was shining and I felt fit. However  as I climbed the wind increased.  The undulating ridge from that first summit was perfect walking on a broad grassy track but the wind was ceaseless the whole way and very strong. I was tempted to continue to the end of the ridge where Borrowdale arrives at the A6  Shap road but decided to leave that for another day and I reluctantly descended to  Low Borrowdale Farm As I passed through a gate just before arriving at the farm I was greeted by two friendly horses who were pleased to have a tickle and a scratch. It is good to see two together like that, I often feel sorry when I see them alone in a field especially when the weather is less than perfect. These two had enormous feet which seemed to give them an endearing quality,.

Now walking back down my enchanted Borrowdale the wind had dropped.  the sun was warm, asd all was delight. I walked slowly and kept stopping to look up at the steep  sides of the valley and the blue sky above the line of the ridge. I dallied to prolong this part of the walk.

Just past the farm  a tent had been erected by the Fell Runners Association for a forthcoming or past event. I tall looked a bit messy and out of character for these guys who I much respect and  who usually do everything to a high standard. 

Where the track crosses onto the other side of Borrow Beck  a lone guy was repairing the bridge but he was not very communicative and we didn't get past  comments about the weather. Where the track emerges onto the Lune Bridge/Tebay road  the route went straight across on tarmac to Salterwath Bridge, From here a path heads north through old woods and then pasture following the River Lune which rattles and flows in lively fashion down this Lune gorge where Lune, railway and M6 are crammed side by side. That sounds a bit grim but I have found it a surprisingly attractive locale. Bird life was abundant and seemed undisturbed by the occasional high speed train passing through.

That was a good walk with individually defined sections giving variety and interest all the way. 

Please click photos to enlarge

Leaving the tarmac from Lune Bridge and the immediate start of the climb to Jeffrey's Mount

Jeffrey's Mount summit lies behind the hill on the horizon

Getting closer and...

...looking back north up the M6 and...

...Jeffrey's Mount summit and my onward path along the ridge

Perfect walking

Zoom. Looking south down the M6 and the Lune gorge

On my descent to Upper Borrowdale Farm - looking up the rest of Borrowdale to where it eventually crosses the A6

My two friendly horses. Note the big clompy feet.

Upper Borrowdale Farm

Taken because of the quirky VW badge

The farm from the front

The lively Borrow Beck and bridge with its lone repair man

After crossing the Tebay road where Borrowdale emerges it's under the M6 and under the railway and onwards to cross the Lune at  Salterwath bridge

The path north on the eastern side of the Lune immediately after crossing Salterwath bridge

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Latest from Katie - A Koala bear watercolour

Click to enlarge.