Old High

Hill, Mountain in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

Old High

The start of the fun, Borrow Beck Down to about the limit of this view, Borrow Beck rarely rises above grade 2, but here the valley starts to entrench a little and beck becomes steeper and more sporting at grade 3 with perhaps the odd bit of 4. To paddle the full trip from High Borrow Bridge (by the A6 - involving a very long road shuttle compared with the length of the paddle) would need quite a bit more water than this as the channel is wider and shallower, but from here, for 2½ kilometres down to a take-out close to the confluence with the River Lune, you could just about bounce down at this level. With some proper rain rather than today&#039;s half-hearted drizzle, it looks like being a worthwhile trip and the first kilometre of the track is public road, making a carry-in with the boat over your shoulder for the kilometre or so to the bridge here not entirely unreasonable. The course from here is somewhat tree-lined, however, so the usual caveats about running blind round bends apply, especially after the sort of stormy winter we&#039;ve just had. — The start of the fun, Borrow Beck Credit: Andy Waddington

Old High is a prominent hill located in the county of Westmorland, England. With its summit standing at an elevation of approximately 2,415 feet (736 meters), it is considered one of the highest points in the region. Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Old High offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including nearby mountains and valleys.

The hill is characterized by its rugged terrain, covered in thick grass, heather, and scattered rocks. It is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of walking trails that cater to different skill levels. The most common starting point for ascending Old High is from the village of Mardale, where visitors can follow well-marked paths leading up the hill.

At the summit, visitors are rewarded with panoramic vistas of the picturesque Lake District. On a clear day, one can spot the nearby peaks of High Street, Harter Fell, and Kidsty Pike, as well as several lakes including Haweswater and Ullswater. The remote and tranquil atmosphere of Old High also makes it a prime location for birdwatching, with various species of birds often spotted in the area.

The hill has a rich history, with evidence of human activity dating back to ancient times. Remnants of Bronze Age settlements have been discovered at the foot of the hill, adding to its cultural significance. Today, Old High continues to captivate visitors with its natural beauty, offering a unique opportunity to explore the rugged charm of the Lake District.

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Old High Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.405932/-2.667474 or Grid Reference NY5601. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The start of the fun, Borrow Beck

Down to about the limit of this view, Borrow Beck rarely rises above grade 2, but here the valley starts to entrench a little and beck becomes steeper and more sporting at grade 3 with perhaps the odd bit of 4. To paddle the full trip from High Borrow Bridge (by the A6 - involving a very long road shuttle compared with the length of the paddle) would need quite a bit more water than this as the channel is wider and shallower, but from here, for 2½ kilometres down to a take-out close to the confluence with the River Lune, you could just about bounce down at this level. With some proper rain rather than today's half-hearted drizzle, it looks like being a worthwhile trip and the first kilometre of the track is public road, making a carry-in with the boat over your shoulder for the kilometre or so to the bridge here not entirely unreasonable. The course from here is somewhat tree-lined, however, so the usual caveats about running blind round bends apply, especially after the sort of stormy winter we've just had.

Andy Waddington

Borrow Beck

Apart from the occasional short boulder garden and one cattle fence (just round a blind bend), this stretch is fairly typical of the run down Borrow Beck from the put-in at High Borrow Bridge by the A6 (perhaps easiest at the stepping stones where NY5503 : The Breasthigh road crosses Borrow Beck). Despite the low cloud and persistent drizzle, there's not really enough water to paddle this section today, but a kilometre and a quarter downstream from here the river starts to cut down a little, making the channel narrower, and the paddling more interesting and there's just about enough to bounce down the bottom 2½ kilometres.

Andy Waddington

Ashstead Beck beside rural road north of Whelpside

Ordnance Survey documents indicate that a benchmark levelled at 154.171m above Newlyn Datum was verified in 1954 on a stone at the base of the wall (on the right hand side of the beck) its back face 2.4m from its left hand end

Roger Templeman

Benchmark on stone in wall on NE side of road NW of Harewood

Ordnance Survey pivot benchmark levelled at 149.782m above Newlyn Datum verified 1954

Roger Templeman

Dry stone wall and gateway on NE side of rural road between Whelpside and Harewood

There is an Ordnance Survey benchmark NY5500 : Benchmark on stone in wall on NE side of road NW of Harewood on a light-coloured protruding stone near the base of the wall

Roger Templeman

Benchmark on barn at Whelpside

Ordnance Survey cut mark levelled at 158.126m above Newlyn Datum verified 1954

Roger Templeman

Farm buildings at Whelpside

There is an Ordnance Survey benchmark NY5500 : Benchmark on barn at Whelpside on the left hand side of the large barn at its near corner

Roger Templeman

The summit of Winterscleugh

Looking WNW along upper Borrowdale. (Note: this is the other, lesser-known Borrowdale.) Winterscleugh was added to the popular Fellranger list of Lake District hills when the border of the Lake District National Park was moved east.

Michael Earnshaw

Puddles and a waterlogged field

Mick Garratt

Public Bridleway to High Borrowdale

Mick Garratt

Ovine Obstacle

Mick Garratt

Farm track off the A6

The A6 is one of the main historic north south roads in England. At 299 miles long it is the fourth longest road in the country. It currently runs from Luton in Bedfordshire to Carlisle in Cumbria, although it formerly started at a junction with the A1 at Barnet. Wikipedia: Link