cumbria | BaldHiker

Lodore Falls – The romantic waterfall of Borrowdale

Posted by Paul Steele | Jul 31, 2015 | Britain, Cumbria, Travel |

Lodore Falls has been a must see waterfall in Cumbria for many a visitor to the lake District. No great climb to make, no many miles to walk to them. The falls are not the largest by any stretch of the imagination but when you see the waterfall in full flow after rain you can most definitely see the natural beauty in abundance and why it has captured the heart of so so many people. I decided to go camera in hand this time…. They are situated literally right behind the Lodore Falls Hotel, take the B5289 from Keswick to...

Video: Paul Steele and Wrangler x Leatherman

Posted by Paul Steele | May 12, 2015 | Kit, Style, Video |

I have recently had the pleasure of being able to give some of my personal thoughts, on video, on why I love to get out and about hiking and climbing. Plus how I see others get inspired by their first taste of the hills and mountains. This opportunity came because two legendary American brands, Wrangler and Leatherman, have joined forces in celebration of some of their most iconic products. Two brands I have most definitely come to use and love over the years, especially in the great outdoors. Wrangler, the jean brand of action and adventure and Leatherman, maker...

Murton Pike and views over the Eden Valley

Posted by Paul Steele | Feb 4, 2015 | Britain, Cumbria, Travel, Winter |

Murton Pike is an unmistakeable conical hill sitting at the foot of the Northern Pennines in the Eden Valley, Cumbria. A tempter for many a quick ramble, family walk, dog walk or for the keener, a fell run sprint. Being only a 5 minute drive from Appleby in Westmorland it is a big local favourite as well as a draw for visitors wanting a shorter climb in the area. There are fewer summits that give such vast views from a relatively low height. lets take a look at the views and why there are some uniquely rocked and shaped peaks...

Barrow from Braithwaite – A short ridge walk to stunning views

Posted by Paul Steele | Jan 5, 2015 | Britain, Cumbria, Travel, Winter |

Barrow is a small fell in the Northern Lake District that height wise reaches just 1,494 feet (455 metres). But, the short walk up its ridge from the village of Braithwaite gives some spectacular views over the vales of Keswick and Newlands. This photo above shows the view looking back from just half way up, just half an hour steady easy climbing. Already here it commands views back down over Braithwaite to Bassenthwaite Lake behind, with Skiddaw towering in the background. You will see this is a gem of a climb for many standards. A fantastic first climb for the...

Pendragon Castle – Romantic ruin of Mallerstang

Posted by Paul Steele | Dec 30, 2014 | Britain, Castles, Cumbria, Travel |

Pendragon Castle, one off the beaten track and set in the beautiful surroundings in Mallerstang Dale, near Outhgill, Cumbria, not too far from Kirkby Stephen. I drive past it often on the road over towards Hawes and the Yorkshire Dales. Quite a favourite drive to be honest, always quiet, away from tourists and a pure vast wildness about the area. Why the name Pendragon Castle? Well, folklore and legend has it that Uther Pendragon (the father of King Arthur) built a castle here first, and tried (yet failed) to change the direction of the River Eden to create the moat…...

Long Meg and Her Daughters – An ancient wonder

Posted by Paul Steele | Dec 16, 2014 | Britain, Cumbria, Travel |

A wonderful place to be, especially at sunset, Long Meg and Her Daughters. Situated half way up the Eden Valley, by the village of Little Salkeld, near to Penrith. The sixth biggest stone circle in Europe, it is the largest in Cumbria and third largest in Britain. When you stand amongst the circle of stones you can see the huge circumference and imagine that Stonehenge would fit all to easily within it. In a previous post I showed the much more commonly visited Castlerigg Stone Circle. Maybe there you have the larger mountains surrounding immediately, maybe its closer proximity to the...