Ramblers with an artist Glenridding Dodd

Glenridding Dodd 

Start and finish Glenridding 

Four miles circular 

Elevation gain 1,043ft

A bank holiday walk, ideal for getting away from the busy crowds. I found a car park in busy Glenridding and headed up through the village passing Travellers rest and leaving fellow walkers beside a junction looking at a map for the directions of Helvellyn. My quiet steep path headed behind the last row of Lakeland cottages on the fell.
The views already are something special open onto, paths leading along the valley towards the old mine,  opposite the fell  leads the way to secret Lantys Tarn and the bubbling stream gentle, today, flowing down through thè village and into the Lake.

The steep climb follows a rocky path, up the fellside  wild violets can be spotted amongst the stones with Blueberries still red and bright yellow leaves shinning brightly in the sunshine. The climb soon eases, a grassy spot can be found to catch the breath and admire the view. I couldn't resist a quick sketch, enjoying the beauty  below. Lemon yellow fields showing the way to Patterdale, a soft Blue Haze of Bluebells on the fell opposite with only the sound of the beck gurgling peacefully below.

Leaving the track before the wall, a small path meanders round the small hillock that is Glenridding Dodd. Larch with fresh new growth jostle along the edge for the best view, with clumps of  Heather carpeting softly below. Ullswater is glimpsed snaking into the distance. This is a true artist view and one that the Victorian walkers loved to explore.

You should be lucky and have the cairn to yourself, I couldn't resist adding a stone on top. An ideal sketching spot, the only difficulty is deciding on the 360 degrees of the view, you would like to include.

The way down is back to the wall and heading through baring right, but always keeping the bubbling stream on your left. A few mossy and boggy areas, but it could be worse after a little rain, which we can get in the Lakes at times!

A barely used path, heads down the fell, peace and quiet is so special along this route, Sheep and Lambs nestling peacefully in the bracken and Bluebells.

A few old trees lay resting along the path, be careful when crossing them and watch for the Primroses below.

Pastels or Oils came into mind for painting this grassy glade, with sunlight catching a few highlights of interest. Over the stile heading down to the lake with birdsong, Bluebells and Wild garlic keeping the senses alive.

Leaving the wooded path and crossing the road to reach the lakeshore path heading back to Glenridding along the new Ullswater way. The pretty rocky promontory has many places for the artist to stop and savour a few inspiring moments.

A bench has been placed and the view appears, perfect at any time of day to admire the visa beyond of classic majestic fells towering over Ullswater.

 

A short stroll back to Glenridding for Tea and cakes or maybe a pint or two.

If you have time take a look at the delights in the Glenridding Gallery.

I know an artist who exhibits here.