Gowbarrow Fell
Aira Force had been fed by recent heavy storms.
Dry paths of recent days were partially changed back to squelch.
White water hurled itself over the rocks and drops with great drama.
Reaching the end of the falls trail and out to the fell and the noise of voices and water fell rapidly away.
You won’t lose your way.
The National Trust own Gowbarrow park and at paths are currently getting a face lift from Fix the Fells. Ahead, moorland unfolds, turn back to see Ullswater beyond the trees and hidden falls.
The path heads almost due north until another wall marks the turn right and a bit of climb up to the summit of the fell, complete with decorated trig point.
After enjoying the vistas each and every way, stumble down through heather and bracken to find the path to the remains of a shooting lodge where you embark south on the third side of a square.
Ullswater slowly slides back into frame.
Perfectly calm. Trees posing upside down in Sandwick Bay and the mirror only disturbed by the laconically chugging steamer.
Walking the aptly named balcony path to complete the square, clouds and light vied to paint pictures of which Coleridge would have been proud and Wordsworth inspired.
Map. Download route here.
More pictures of the day: