Safe Return Doubtful

Fell Running

11.7 miles / 18.9 km – 2043 feet / 759 metres

Park at Swindale Crossroads, where the Private Water Board road crosses the public road into Swindale.

Head down the hill into Swindale valley south-west meeting the Beck and passing the Old Haunted Waterworks of 1833 (currently being renovated) to your left. The Beck has recently had its curves put back in to attract Atlantic Salmon back to spawn, with success. Details here

The road detriorates, and finishes after about 2.5 miles.Straight ahead is the amphitheatre of Hobgrumble, but my route is a right turn, on the signposted Corpse Road.

The track is steep and slippery at first, but becomes grassy and less steep, reaching its high point at 500 metres (or so) at a post which marks the left turn to Selside peak.

Take this turn and gain the 155 metres to the peak. There is a rough stone shelter. Continue along the fence line on an eroded path with wonderful views of Hawes Water and surrounding peaks to the right. But not today.. the rain had now set in and it was into the wind for the first half.

After a short descent there is a short climb to the towers of Branstree at 715 metres.

Here make your way through the fence, there is a gap in it, and head south on the clear path downhill for a few hundred metres to a ruined pillar. The track climbs past small tarns to the peak of The Hill With No Name at 673 metres. The path then continues to complete the loop and head back to Selside, and the Corpse Road.

At the post continue straight on, heading north on the rough but clear track that passes close to the tops of Hare Shaw, Powley’s and Scalebarrow Knott (all ‘outlying Wainwrights’) before returning to base.