6 Rosedale Abbey
Pickering, Y018 8RA
North Yorkshire, UK
Distance: 10 Miles
Time Taken: 7 hours.
Weather: Fine and dry with high cloud.
Beautiful Scenic Walk up Grisedale.
The Walk
Day Eight was the just the perfect day for walking in the English Lake District on Alfred Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast route.
And my theory about the benefit of starting the walk at Robin Hoods Bay in the East and walking for a good few days before having to tackle the mountains in the West was paying off.
I was feeling fit as a fiddle.
The only fly-in-the-oinment was my continuing need to wear wide-fitting sandles; as I still couldn't get my hiking boots on over my blistered toes.
The morning started off clear and sunny and the initial walk up Grisedale from Patterdale was just beautiful.
NOTE FOR WALKERS: The routes for the Coast-to-Coast split three ways on this section. Walkers' can choose the high route over Helvelyn to the right; the medium-high route over St Sunday Crag to the left; or the lower valley route up the centre of Grisedale.
Wainwright himself advocated the valley route; and because of pain from my blisters and a heavy back-pack - I chose the gentler-climbing valley route!
The Route up Grisedale
Whichever route you choose, they all merge again near the Brothers Parting Stone close to Grisedale Tarn.
Grisedale Tarn.
Taking the lower route up to Grisedale Tarn means you've reached the highest point for the day; and it's downhill all the way into Grasmere from here.
Walking down the valley below Great Tongue and High Seat continued to reward with splendid views across Lakeland.
The walk today was just such a joy; and I arrived down in Grasmere just as the rain started to pour.
Changeable UK Weather Means You Need to Dress for all Conditions.
Luckily for me, the trailhead in Grasmere is located right where the Travellers' Rest Inn and Hostel Accommodation are located on the A591.
It didn't take much thinking to book myself into the warm and dry bunk-rooms at the Hostel; and have a few evening pints and dinner at the pub.
So I walked home to my warm bed feeling confident I would now finish the walk - the end was coming into view.
My only concern was the very low cloud which was settling over the Mountains at the end of Day 8.
In the Pub is the Place to be when the Rain Starts to Pour.
10 Rose & Crown Yard
Off Flower Gate, Whitby
North Yorkshire, Y021 3BE