| Name of walk | Blea Tarn, Eskdale by Steam Train |
| Date of walk | 2017-09-14 |
A short walk up to Blea Tarn in Eskdale with my sister, Ness, using the Ravenglass to Eskdale Steam Railway. A circular walk of four miles and only 1000ft of ascent. I have not visited Blea Tarn since I was on a ecology field trip as an undergraduate over 35 years ago. This walk has been on my list of things to do for quite a while, but big hills kept bumping it down the list. My sister doesn’t do big hills, (She is not too keen on small ones either!) but I thought I could manage to coax and cajole her up to the tarn.
Ravenglass and the signs to the two ends of Hadrian's Wall. No Ness, we are not going to Rome!
We take a walk around Ravenglass.
I spent my honeymoon at the Pennington Arms.
What's that in new money?
Big skies.
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway.
Station Master, Gwyn, on the right, he's one of our Barrow bell ringers; and friend Martin's sister Jackie, driving a train......small world!
Our train that will take us to Dalegarth.
We brave the elements.
Off alongside the estuary towards Eskdale.
Beside the track is an art installation by Sarah Taylor called "The Curious Incident Of The Stag & The Train Line". Twelve paintings of animals. (Until Sept 24th) 'The Fox of Delights'.
'Florence'.
'All of Me'.
Dalegarth Station. Our walk up to Blea Tarn starts at Beckfoot, the previous stop. The steam train can't stop there when it is damp as the incline means it can't get going again. It is only a few minutes walk back along the track to the footpath.
That is the small hill we will be ascending to reach Blea Tarn on Eskdale Moor. The footpath up is opposite Beckfoot station.
Looking back down to Beckfoot Station and hotel.
The way up is a series of zig zags. Looking towards Boot.
The returning steam train at Beckfoot.
Great views down the Eskdale Valley
Approaching Blea Tarn.
Ta da!
Blea Tarn is at 715ft.
Time for a brief rest.
We head up, following the route that will lead us down to Boot, not very far.
Last view back to Blea Tarn and out to sea.
Ahead is Scafell and Slight Side.
Harter Fell.
We experience a short shower.
We pass the remains of some old peat huts, built in the seventeen hundreds.
A few still have their roofs.
Time for another rest.
Rest, not sleep!
Looking down towards Boot.
Stanley Ghyll Waterfall.
The track down.
We are headed for the Boot Inn.
Eskdale Mill, the Boot Inn is the white building on the right.
After a coffee in the pub we walk back to Dalegarth. They are turning the train around.
In amongst the steam is Muncaster Mill.
Once back at Ravenglass we have a walk to the Roman Bath House.
The walk took under three hours. It is on clear paths and very easy, having excellent views for minimal effort.
Jo.
