Birkhouse Moor

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

Birkhouse Moor

Looking up Glenridding Looking up Glenridding. — Looking up Glenridding Credit: Colin Kinnear

Birkhouse Moor is a picturesque area located in Westmorland, England. Known for its stunning natural beauty, this region is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Situated within the Lake District National Park, Birkhouse Moor is characterized by its rolling hills, vast moorland, and breathtaking vistas. The landscape is dominated by open expanses of heather-covered moors, interspersed with rocky outcrops and scattered trees. This diverse terrain offers a unique and tranquil setting, perfect for those seeking solitude and a sense of connection with nature.

The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including red deer, birds of prey, and a range of smaller mammals. The moorland provides an important habitat for many species, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching and wildlife photography.

Birkhouse Moor also boasts a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, making it an excellent destination for hikers and walkers. The routes offer a range of difficulty levels, catering to both experienced trekkers and casual strollers. Popular trails include the ascent of Striding Edge, a challenging and exhilarating ridge walk, as well as the gentler path around Red Tarn.

In addition to its natural beauty, Birkhouse Moor is also steeped in history and culture. The area is dotted with remnants of ancient settlements, as well as old stone walls and sheepfolds that are a testament to the region's agricultural heritage.

Overall, Birkhouse Moor is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the unspoiled beauty of Westmorland's downs and moorland. With its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich history, this area offers a truly unforgettable experience for all who venture here.

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Birkhouse Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.539773/-2.9829111 or Grid Reference NY3616. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Looking up Glenridding

Looking up Glenridding.

Colin Kinnear

Mires Beck

On the lower eastern slope of Birkhouse Moor.

David Robinson

Path across Birkhouse Moor

David Robinson

Path & wall between Birkhouse Moor and Striding Edge

David Robinson

Looking back along the path above Bleaberry Crag

David Robinson

The path to Glenridding

David Robinson

Looking over Glenridding Beck to Rowten Beck

David Robinson

Greenside Mine

Former lead mine that reached its peak production in the late 19th / early 20th centuries with final closure in 1962. Info from Wikipedia: Link

David Robinson

Glenridding Beck passes Gillside Campsite

It still feels distressingly crowded and almost urban this close to the centre of Glenridding, but keep faith, it gets better soon, if steeper and hotter....

Andy Waddington

Pitch path in Little Cove

Being one of the more popular routes from Glenridding onto Helvellyn via Striding Edge, the path following Mires Beck was inevitably subject to a lot of erosion. On this steeper section, potential gullying has been prevented by an excellent piece of path construction using stone that blends in with its surroundings. The view down to Glenridding and Ullswater is a splendid excuse for those labouring upwards to take a break and get the camera out.

Andy Waddington

Peaty ponds punctuate path on Birkhouse Moor

One of two paths climbing the fell to Striding Edge, the one coming up Little Cove from Gillside encounters more wet ground on the crest of the ridge than it did on its ascent of the cirque. Even in a long, hot, dry summer like 2022, these peaty ponds show the water table to be barely below the ground surface. Looking over the valley of Red Tarn Beck, the view extends to Catstycam and Swirral Edge and beyond them, the long north ridge of Helvellyn to Raise.

Andy Waddington

Looking back towards Hole in the Wall from High Spying How

High Spying How marks the end of the easy ascent from Glenridding over the at times broad path that can be seen in the distance leading from Hole in the Wall. It's best not to be here heading upwards unless you have a head for heights and decent footwear (if you are heading down at this point without those attributes and have come from Helvellyn's summit, well done for surviving this far).

Andy Waddington

Descent to Keppel Cove

Having found the way off Whiteside in the mist, the path rapidly turned into a broad highway and the blue sky reappeared. At the end of this traverse, the path turns right to descend steeply into Keppel Cove, and is significantly more like hard work, even in descent.

Andy Waddington

Descent towards Keppel Cove

Having traversed well above Red Screes, the path down from Whiteside and Raise turns abruptly to descend knee-jarringly down to the bottom of Keppel Cove. The clouds which covered the tops while we were up there have now retreated and the valley below is a sun trap and increasingly hot as we lose height. The horizon comprises Catstycam, Helvellyn, Low Man and Whiteside.

Andy Waddington

Descending from Keppel Cove

With the cloud cleared from the tops and the relentless sun beating down once again, the bridleway proved to be a long and weary way down towards Glenridding from the Helvellyn massif.

Andy Waddington