Birks and Arnison Crag

Return to the road from the car park and turn right to head towards Glenridding. At the end of the straight bit, follow the road round to the left, past the church, and then turn into the first left signposted "Lane to Grisedale" which is just before Grisedale Bridge.

The entrance to Patterdale Hall is soon to your right, continue on the road, don't take the driveway to Home Farm but follow the road as it takes a right turn and begins to climb steeply. Pass Close Cottage on the right, and shortly after turn left through the field gate signposted public footpath. Follow the path up through the field to the gate in the fence above. This is Glenamara Park.

A path makes its way along the fence linking Patterdale to Grisedale however continue straight ahead to now climb steeply upwards.

A short section of rough path quickly makes way for well established stone pitching. Climbing through bracken and well spaced trees it makes steep and steady progress to the right hand side of the craggy ridge line. Approaching the wall it bears left to climb roughly to the knoll of Thornhow End and a gate.

Go through the gate and continue ahead. Less steeply this airy path still climbs and has excellent views down into and across Grisedale to Birkhouse Moor. Ignore the path on the left climbing steeply again, our route is ahead on an easy path to the col between Birks and St Sunday Crag. Approaching the col the path bears slightly left to climb a wide and shallow gully which is a little boggy, at the top of which the path is indistinct. Have confidence and continue ahead aiming for the visible col and the path returns within a few metres.

Reaching the small col and ridgeline, turn sharp left to ascend a narrow path climbing grass slopes. The path meanders across a couple of minor bumps to reach the the summit marked by a small squat cairn.

Continue along the path from the summit for just under 200m (220 yards), where at a slightly set back collection of stones turn right on a faint path through the grass. This soon bears right again and then left to join alongside a wall. Keep the wall on your left and follow it down the steep fellside.

Reaching a grassy mossy knoll where the path appears to split, the wall and lesser path going left, take the slightly more worn branch around to the right. This drops to cross the dry Hag Beck just below Trough Head.

Climb the bank the other side and turn left on a path heading north east for Arnison Crag. This path meanders and undulates along a wide ridge. Minor tops appear on both sides, the path generally takes the middle line between them and is a little boggy. Occasional tarns or puddles may be useful to a dog.

The path continues to the left hand side of the tall rocky outcrop of Arnison Crag. At a small col below it turn right and follow the path as it climbs along a handy rake and as it looks like it might miss the summit it swings left for the final clamber to the cairn.

Return from the summit outcrop back to the small col and turn right to continue descending alongside the wall. Eventually, after many fine views to Ullswater and the surrounding fells you reach a gate in the wall. Don't go through the gate back into Glenamara Park, but turn right. Continue to the gate on the path, go through, and where the path splits bear left to drops down to the back of the Patterdale Hotel. Bear left and return to the road directly opposite the car park.