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A Shorter Coledale Round

The village of Braithwaite is the starting point for this splendid meander over the fells on the south-eastern side of Coledale. Sometimes they are part of a much more energetic Coledale Round, or Horseshoe, to include the fells of Hopegill Head and Grisedale Pike to the north.

Wainwright wrote in his book of the North Western Fells that Outerside and Stile End were much quieter than their tourist icon neighbours to the north. They still are with only rough narrow paths through the heather they have a relaxed, perhaps lonely feel to them. As the route continues over Sail and on to Crag Hill you pass over the narrow arête of The Scar which is certainly an atmospheric place in the mist! Dropping down to Coledale Hause and then into Coledale the views down the length of the valley to Braithwaite and Keswick are spectacular.

Some parking is available scattered around the village, and at the small informal parking area near the bottom of the Whinlatter road from where it is easy to walk into the centre of the village to the start of the walk.