Castle Crag

Climbed up to Castle Crag after taking bus from Keswick to Grange.


On the road to Rosthwaite

Bus Routes to the Walks

To and From Keswick

I found the Stagecoach bus routes to get around the lake district near Keswick. First to get from the nearest train station at Penrith take the x4x5 bus from Penrith to Keswick.
Now to get to the various walks' starting points.
For Haystacks, take Route 77 from Keswick to Honister Slate Mine or Buttermere.
For Castle Crag, take Route 78 from Keswick to Grange for the northerly approach or on to Rosthwaite for the southerly.
For Helvellyn, take the 555 to Wythburn for the south-westerly approach. For the easterly approach, take the x4x5 from Keswick back to Penrith then the 108 south to Patterdale.
For Scafell Pike take take Route 78 from Keswick to Seatoller for the north approach; it can also be approached from the west at Wasdale, from the south at Eskdale Mill near Boot, or from the east at Dungeon Ghyll.
For Blencathra, take the x4x5 to Threlkeld or Scales depending of the approach.

Download the latest summer schedule here.

LAKE DISTRICT PUBLIC TRAVEL INFORMATION

The Visit Lake District website has information on "Going Car Free" in the Lake District to take advantage of the public transport available. Particularly noted are Stagecoach coaches and Avanti West Coast railway. Download the Stagecoach app for iPhone or Android for up-to-date scheduling.

Stagecoach

Bus #

Stops

508

Penrith • Aira Force • Glenridding • Patterdale

6

Barrow • Dalton • Ulverston • Newby Bridge • Bowness-on-Windermere • Windermere 

555

Lancaster • Kendal • Windermere • Ambleside • Grasmere • Keswick

599

Kendal • Windermere • Bowness • Ambleside • Grasmere

Avanti West Coast

Leaving

Journey to:

London Euston

Oxenholme (3h 00m), Penrith (3h 23m), Carlisle (3h 40m) 

Birmingham

Oxenholme (2h 03m), Penrith (2h 39m), Carlisle (2h 54m)

Glasgow

Oxenholme (1h 49m), Penrith (1h 28m), Carlisle (1h 13m)

Stagecoach app

Seatoller - Keswick

Five Fells

The five fells I am particularly interested in are Blencathra, Castle Crag, Haystacks, Helvellyn and Scafell Pike.
I arrived at these after viewing Julia Bradbury's programs on the fells and looking through Alfred Wainwright's guides. Most offer a variety of approaches. I've looked at those that are the most interesting or most scenic.
Blencartha (AW book 5): from Scales via sharp edge, or Threlkeld.
Castle Crag (AW book 6): from Grange.
Haystacks (AW book 7): from Gatesgarth.
Helvellyn (AW book 1): from Patterdale (up?), or Wythburn (down?).
Scafell Pike (AW book 4): from Borrowdale (Seatoller) from the north, or Eskdale from the south.

Fell walking in the Lake District

I became interested in fell walking after seeing Julia Bradbury's DVD and reading up on Alfred Wainwright and his extensive guides to the fells. Now to decide on a few, not to difficult ones, to get my feet wet. Looking into public transportation and accommodations and importantly what to wear. The area is famous for its "four seasons in a day" weather!