My parents (65 and 61) asked me to take them up Sca Fell as it was a peak they had never been up and which they didn't want to tackle by themselves. This was the first weekend of the school summer holiday and we stayed at the Langdale YHA. The first day looked like the peaks would be in cloud so we opted for a lower level walk instead for day 1.
Route started from the hostel and headed along the road briefly before turning N walking towards Grasmere via redbank wood and hammerscar plantation. From Grasmere we headed E uptowards Stone Arthur and climbed to the summit of Great Rigg. From here we turned south and climbed Heron Pike (whilst surrounded by foxhounds?!?) and then dropped towards Rydal. There was the possibility of adding another peak by climbing Fairfield on a short out and back but decided against this as I know they were really keen to climb Scafell the following day. From Rydal we walked back along the side of Rydal Water before returning to the hostel. Parents both enjoyed the day and were well up for Scafell the next day.
Area :
Eastern Fells
The Eastern Fells occupy the region between the A591 Keswick to Ambleside road and the lake of Ullswater to the west. The Helvellyn range forms the main spine of the group. To the south across the depression of Grisedale Hause, is the Fairfield group of fells.
