Day 4 Grasmere to Patterdale

Distance: 10 miles

Our day began in a heavy mist that would greatly limit our views for the day. We had hoped to hike either the Striding Edge ridge of Hellvellyn mountain or St. Sunday, but it is not recommended to attempt these mountains in poor weather. Instead, we decided to take the Little Tongue Gill path and then descend down the Grisedale Valley route.

The ascent became arduous as the mist turned to rain and the path became slippery, although the hills were still beautiful and lush!

At times it was a bit of a scramble as we tried in vain to keep our “waterproof” boots dry.

Upon reaching the summit, Grisedale Pass, we had hoped to see Grisedale Tarn (lake), but it was barely visible with the heavy clouds so we began our descent through Grisedale Valley.

In spite of the rain, we wound our way down the mountain through this charming valley.

The rain did not deter playful lambs, especially #10 standing on her mother, as we had seen other lambs do as well. Oh, what mothers have to put up with!

Approaching Patterdale (originally St. Patrick’s Dale), our trail followed the banks of Ruthwaite Beck.

Patterdale is located at one end of the very long lake Ullswater in the Cumbria district’s Ullswater Valley and is surrounded by the colorful, although rather barren, mountains typical in the Lake District. With very few cars or paved streets it is considered a walker’s village. William Wordsworth spent part of his boyhood near here, writing about it in his poem, The Prelude.

Upon entering the village, we passed St Patrick’s Church which was built in 1853, replacing a 14th-century chapel at this site.

Continuing in the chilly weather, we stopped in at the Patterdale Hotel to have much needed cups of soup and hot tea. On a warm day I am sure that one could enjoy stretching out on the lawn to relax after a strenuous hike up any of the neighboring mountains.

Once we were warmed and fed, we proceeded on to our B&B, Noran Bank Farm, passing the Patterdale Village Store and the White Lion Inn, to which we would return for dinner. Note the stone buildings typical of Lake District architecture.

We had hoped to stay in the B&B’s guest rooms in the main farmhouse, but these were not available; therefore, we were directed to the newly remodeled, very cozy bunkhouse.