The Grisedale Valley, much loved by Wordsworth, is well worth exploring especially if you have your dog in tow, theyll love running over the fells and taking a dip in the tarns as they run along. There are several dog friendly Lake District cottages in the area which would make the ideal base from which to explore this wonderful valley.
Set off from Patterdale village and head deeper into the valley towards what is known as Grisedale Forest despite the very apparent lack of trees. You will pass Ruthwaite Lodge, a climbing hut on your right as you make your way through rocky scenery towards Grisedale Tarn. The imposing craggy face of Dollywagon Pike looms above but wait for your photo opportunity, it is even better further on.
Just off the path before the tarn is Brothers Parting Stone and much easier to spot from this direction. A poem is inscribed into the stone though it is weatherworn and largely unintelligible. The stone is said to mark the spot where William Wordsworth and his brother John last saw each other before John drowned at sea.
As you reach Grisedale Tarn cross the stepping stones to the left and walk clockwise around the tarn towards Hause Gap and follow the clear path alongside the wall to the summit of Fairfield. Due to the rocky nature of the summit and various piles of stones, shelters and paths in many directions, a map and compass are essential to get off the summit safely in poor conditions.
There are many shelters on Fairfield for a lunch stop and are perfect to survey the view. The next leg of the walk heads downwards over Cofa Pike a rocky pinnacle between Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. From here dont forget to look back to Dollywagon Pike across the valley for the impressive view of the craggy face.
The descent from St Sunday Crag offers several choices, a straight down descent from Birks to Elm How Plantation, however my preference is to walk down over Birks towards Trough Head and through the interesting rocky tops of Arnison Crags. This route takes you straight down into the garden and carpark of the Patterdale Hotel, which is a perfect place to stop for a well deserved pint or cup of tea in the welcoming bar.
There are several Lake District cottages in the area which are ideally situated to give you a great base from which to explore Grisedale and other surrounding valleys.
