From as far back as last year, David and I had planned to spend three days wild-camping in Dartmoor National Park this week, and after putting a full itinerary into place, including the purchase of new gear, the forecast didn't just have to be right; it had to be perfect. I'm sure you'd agree if we were to take the 'lets see what happens' attitude we'd been rained on for the best part of three days.

All is not lost. David is back in Dartmoor next week on holiday with Jennifer, and there's no doubt he'll be doing a good reckie while he's there, ready for our next stab at Dartmoor in July.

We spoke last week about whether the forecast was good enough in the Lakes that we'd perhaps wild camp here instead, and, as you've guessed, it wasn't, so David came up with the idea of walking the Scandale Round from Amblelside. If you're thinking, "That's a great alternative to the Fairfield Horseshoe," then you'd be exactly right. The Fairfield Horseshoe is of similar mileage and only tops its counter part by about eighty feet in total ascent, plus as we found out today, it's less busier too.

Please note that parking at Miller Bridge, Ambleside is no longer possible due to yellow line restrictions (updated 12/05/18)

We had arranged to meet at 8:00am at Miller Bridge and I arrived early around 7:30am. I managed to park close to the bridge leaving about three or four spaces left to park. At one point double yellow lines were installed but these have been lifted from the bridge back up the lane for approximately 150 yards allowing space for around 10 cars. It was a mild morning and I kitted up while waiting for David to arrive.

Within five minutes David had parked up and conversation turned to the low cloud which was clinging to the lower slopes of the surrounding fells which was forecast to lift throughout the morning or at least we'd hope so. With the cars locked we crossed Miller Bridge and walked through Rothay Park passing the odd dog walker and jogger before arriving at the main street where shop keepers were opening up for the day. Turning left onto Rydal Road we passed the Bridge House before crossing the road where we took a left onto Nook Lane.

We soon reached High Pike summit and had noticed that a solo walker was gaining on us so we hung around for a chat. As it turns out this guy was on his second attempt of the Fairfield horseshoe after failing his first attempt last week due to high winds but managed to summit Nab Scar and Heron Pike.

I thought okay, I don't blame you for mixing it up a bit by coming back and attempting the route in an anti-clock wise direction but his reason wasn't to mix it up he simply didn't want to 'tick off' the same two summits again referring to this as 'wasted energy' A bit odd we thought.

The same cloud we were looking at from High Pike remained stagnant over High Bakestones and with it came a drop in temperature. Hopes remained high as we began our descent onto Bakestones Moss.

We left Little Hart Crag in broken sunshine as the cloud developed above Scandale and indeed Red Screes summit. Visibility wasn't a problem but again, the temperature had dropped aided by a cool summit wind. It was suggested that we stop for lunch but we arrived at the same time a trio of two women and a chap arrived with their dogs who made their way to the summit then let their dogs cool off at the nearby summit tarn.

Being the gents that we were we watched on to see if they'd return to the summit and if so, we'd let them have the shelter having already agreed we could have lunch at the summit wall at Snarker Pike but they continued down the ridge so we made ourselves comfortable and had lunch.

The heat was hitting those 'oven door' moments, the kind you get in the heat of summer. We continued to follow the twin walls as we left the views of the Scandale Valley behind for those of Wansfell. We passed the trio and then the mother and daughter, who had stopped to eat lunch about a quarter of a mile apart. The ground was still wet underfoot but drying in places under the heat of the afternoon sun. Descending further, we passed a pocket of bluebells, where I stopped to take this photo. The smell of lavender filled our nostrils well before we spotted them. The sound of distant cars descending Kirkstone Road broke the silence, as did a field of lambs between us and the road. It was an afternoon I didn't want to end. 

We finally left the twin walls behind and dropped onto the tarmac; cars passing by it took a few seconds to adjust. Flanked by fields of lambs on one side and cows on the other. Ambleside was just moments away now. The Golden Rule Pub looked inviting, but we swung the other way and arrived in a bustling Ambleside which felt like we'd just gate crashed a stranger's party. Car horns, traffic lights beeping, crowds of shoppers - we headed back down the main street and crossed between the stationary traffic. The smell of fish and chips brought a smile, as did the sight of our cars, which hadn't been clamped afterall.