Friday 17th July 2026
This had been a wholly enjoyable walk but when I arrived back at the car I realised that, good as it had been overall, its quality improved consistently bit by bit as I progressed. Is that a rare occurence? Perhaps not, but it was something that stood out for me on this occasion.
I had researched the parking spot on Google Earth close to Whinfell Tarn but I was disappointed not to be able to see this feature because of a high hedge and the general lie of the land, ah well!
A few yards down the road a footpath lead off downhill hill on rough pasture followed by a steep climb to Moorbank Farm. In line with my assessment this turned out to be the most arduous section of the walk. The bonus was the backdrop of Whinfell Beacon which dominated a large part of the walk as it stands proudly claiming full mountain status. The northern side overlooks that other Borrowdale and forms part of its horseshoe circuit, a classic outing and adding nostalgia for me from previous visits over the years.
At Moorbank I mistakenly turned right instead of left and walked two hundred yards down that track and then back. I was cross with myself having vowed that my navigation would be impeccable on this trip and so my ambition of zero errors had come to nought.
A short section of downhill tarmac passed the superbly situated Deepslack farms, “High” and “Low” with Whinfell Beacon towering above like a protective giant.
I now turned south on easy country paths trending gently downhill with Whinfell Fell’s attraction now replaced by distant Docker and Lambrigg Fells.
Whinhowe Gilll was reached and followed with delight with its dried up limestone rocky bed exposed on account of our current heatwave. Further on its thirst was quenched by a feeder gill coming in from the east and it continued now more at one with its status as a river.
When I plotted this route I had a slight worry because the track from Thursgill Farm dropping down to link with the Dalesway was not marked as a public right of way. The farmer’s wife appeared, permission was granted along with pleasant chat.She had found me looking at my map on my phone, and as always asked if I was lost. I suppose that is understandable, but conscious of my lifetime’s walking history I find myself over eager to try and and overcome my interlocutors perception.
The view from Thursgill is stunning down into the valley and enhanced by the link up with the Dalesway in the bottom. I have a special respect for the Dalesway, but never walked it continuously, only in bits and pieces, but it is always a pleasure and so it was today. This short stretch was pleasantly unspoiled nor over-trodden all adding to that progressive enjoyment.
I crossed the River Mint by footbridge and then climbed up to the two country houses at Shaw End dating from 1796 and now offered as luxury holiday accommodation. The history of its development by a local family is quite interesting if you look at the “About” section on their website.
https://www.shawend.co.uk/
I stopped there for my sandwich and coffee before following an old lane back to Patton Bridge. I had plotted my return from here by the red dots on the map below which irritatingly had to retrace a small section of the outgoing route awhich had been the least attractive part of the whole walk. Looking now again at the map I couldn’t believe how I had missed the alternative running up the western side of Whinfell Tarn (see map). That route gave superb views of this attractive water which I had been denied of at the start of the walk and which now provided a fitting finale to this enjoyable trip.
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| Top of the steep climb up to Moorbank Farm |
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| Now more pleasant walking |
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| Zoom shot. I had heard loud shouting then spotted the farmer on his quad. The cow had been in the orther field and he has just managed to get it back on this side. |
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| Deepslack farms , Whinfell Beacon looking over |
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| I like a bit of well patinated ancient ironmongery |
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| Heatwave. lots of limestone, no water, but... |
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| ...relief from an eastern feeder |
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| Bye Mill. Now converted to residence |
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| The view from Tursgood. The Dalesway runs across to the right from the end of the tarmac. Lambrigg and Docker fells on the horizon |
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| Zoom to Shaw End from the Dalesway |
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| This and below, the two houses ast Shaw End. I sat on the wall just off the bottom of the photo for my sandwich break |
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| Patton Bridge and Whinfell Beacon. Pity about the telegraph pole |
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| Whinfell Tarn. My car is behind the first field boundary above the tarn edge |
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| Enviously positioned farm/residence at the head of the tarn |
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| Hyring farm at top end of Whinfell Tarn |
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| Red arrow is location of my car |
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| Clockwise |
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