Orrest Head
Friday was a ‘blue sky day’ but though not at work all day I still had commitments and could not dedicate myself to the hills all day. The forecast for the weekend, time of writing Sunday morning, has fulfilled it’s predictions of being a tad grey, so I am doubly glad I grabbed a brief lunch with Rosie and headed up to Windermere and the first ever Wainwright.
Orrest Head is a little hill on the southern edge of Windermere and even on an early February day had attracted people whose footwear was more used to pavements and high streets than moorlands and mountains. There are several seats on the ‘summit’ to give respite to any heartbeats that have been raised to excess and maybe, as the view did for Wainwright, some may be inspired to swap Ug boots and sandals for something more substantial.
Even for the more experience Orrest Head is worth a visit. The ribbon of Windermere trails south, opening the way to the Furness coast and Morecambe Bay. Coniston Old Man and Langdales posed for picture postcard photographs, not worried by the casual attire of those in the foreground.
Seats are conveniently scattered to give a 360 degree inspirational panorama from Coniston in the west through north and east to the Kentmere Hills, many now named on the information board dedicated to Wainwright and his first hike up a hill.
There is an easy footpath to the top, almost a road most of the way. A useful way of introducing small people to walking up hills, I found in previous years. Come down the same way, or make a circular route from one of several other paths.
My circuit,
Other easy walks with views, try Gummers Howe and Latterbarrow.
Orrest Head in Wainwrights book below.
