North-east to the villages of Applethwaite and Millbeck, followed by a climb to the summit of Carl Side. North-west on Longside Edge and The Edge, passing Ullock Pike, then south along tracks and footpaths via Watch Crag to White Stones. Finally across to the River Derwent and south along its banks back to Portinscale. An 11-mile walk in the Lake District.
Recommended Ordnance Survey Map
The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL4, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.
Standard Version
The view of Carl Side, in the centre of the picture, from Thrushwood just outside Keswick. The tree-covered fell on the left is Dodd. The summits of Skiddaw and Little Man on the right are hidden by the clouds.
The view south over the rooftops of Applethwaite towards Keswick and Derwent Water.
Looking over to the village of Applethwaite, with Latrigg in view behind it.
The start of the ascent from the village of Millbeck to the top of Carl Side. It’s impossible to do this climb without constantly turning round to take in the views.
Derwent Water, and some of the fells on the lake’s western side, such as Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and Barrow.
The view south-east towards Latrigg and Keswick.
Bassenthwaite Lake through the mist, as seen from Longside Edge between Carl Side and Ullock Pike.
The path along Longside Edge towards Ullock Pike.
Farmland on the eastern side of Bassenthwaite Lake, beautifully lit by the winter sunshine.
Looking back at the route down from Ullock Pike. Anything higher than about 700 metres is cloud-covered, including Carl Side and the much higher Skiddaw.
Southerndale Beck, which flows north through Southerndale between Ullock Pike and Skiddaw.
Heading downhill towards the woodlands of Rabbit Warren and Old Plantation.
The view south-west across the River Derwent floodplain to some of the north-western fells including Barrow, Causey Pike, Outerside and Grisedale Pike.
