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Pasture Beck Round, from Hartsop

Pasture Beck is the closest of two south eastern valleys above the village of Hartsop in the Far Eastern district. The other is the Hayeswater valley which was dammed as part of the drinking water supply network. Pasture Beck drains the head of the valley at Threshthwaite Mouth (pronounced Thresh'et) before meandering through Pasture Bottom to join with Hayeswater Gill above the village.

Hartsop Dodd, the first fell tackled on this walk, towers over the village and makes for a pretty intimidating first impression. Apart from the steepness there are no difficulties reaching its summit cairn and the path ascending the ridge is largely in a well trodden groove. The onward connecting ridge with Stony Cove Pike, the summit of Caudale Moor, is gentle and arguably less interesting. From Stony Cove Pike the descent to the col of Threshthwaite Mouth is both steep and very rough. There is one small difficulty where an awkward rocky step is encountered which may require a down-climb just above the saddle. Here on the saddle a shallow tarn, probably only a muddy puddle in summer, was the only available water. The climb back up to Thornthwaite Crag again looks horrible but there are no difficulties, it is just a straightforward stony ascent. At the summit Thornthwaite Beacon is a surprising and impressively well built column. Returning back to the village over Gray Crag needs care to locate the correct path. The majority of people will be joining High Street, whereas the ridge to Gray Crag lies hidden from immediate view behind the beacon. The final descent is of course steep, and on grass.

This walk is not recommended in snowy conditions, or when the ground is frozen as a slip on ice would have serious consequences.

During the summer months Charolais/Limousin cows and calves live in the fields around Hartsop and in the Pasture Beck valley. Apparently this cross-breed of cattle can be rather aggressive. Do not approach them at all even without a dog. They are a dairy breed who spend much of the year confined to sheds and are not used to walkers being in their fields.

The car park in Hartsop is at the end of the public road. Continue through village and go through a narrow pinch point between buildings to the rough car park. A donations box is beside the gate.