Review: Lake District Low Level and Lake Walks by Vivienne Crow. Published by Cicerone. £9.99

A COUPLE of weeks ago a “memory” popped up on my Facebook page reminding me of a walk in the Lake District four years ago in May 2016 when I had climbed from Grasmere to Easdale Tarn and then returned over Tarn Crag, a walk of around seven miles with 1800 feet of ascent.

When I looked in this book written by Vivienne Crow, I noticed that this walk I had undertaken was one of the 30 walks described in the listing. The book was originally published in 2014 but has recently been revised and updated.

The book concentrates on mainly low level and lake walks ranging in distance from four miles to 10 miles and with ascents from 300 feet to 2200 feet.

There are 28 circular and two linear walks in the book. The linear walks are Walk Number 10 from Windermere to Ambleside via Orrest Head and Wansfell Pike and Walk Number 29 from Howtown to Glenridding along the shores of Ullswater. For the former, there is a regular bus service back from Ambleside to Windermere, whilst on the latter walkers can experience the beautiful steamer ride up the lake from Glenridding to Howtown to return them to their starting point.

Vivienne Crow is an award winning freelance writer and photographer specialising in travel and the outdoors. She has written over a dozen guides now to walks in the Lake District National Park.

As well as full descriptions of the walks themselves which are punctuated by numerous full colour photographs, this book also contains a route summary table, details about Geology, Wildlife & Habitats, History, Weather, Where to Stay, Getting Around, Waymarking and Access, Maps, Dogs and finally Clothing, Equipment & Safety.

The book is divided into five areas; South Lakes, Central Lakes, Western Valleys, North Lakes and Eastern Lakes with approximately six walks in each area.

Each of the 30 walks are graded for difficulty. The grades are 1 to 5 with one being the easiest and five being the hardest. Each description contains information on the start/finish points, distance covered, total ascent, the grading, approximate walking time, terrain, maps required, refreshments and public transport options.

As the recent lockdown eases and we are allowed to travel further for recreation, a number of these walks in the South Lakes and Eastern Lakes sections can be undertaken in a day from Wharfedale and once Guest Houses and B&Bs in the Lake District reopen for business, walks in the other areas can be attempted.

This is a book to cater for all ages and walking abilities with walks of various lengths and level of difficulty. It is very well written and one I would highly recommend.

by John Burland