The Vale of Keswick, provides separation from the Northern Fells whilst to the west runs the long valley of Borrowdale. The parallel eastern boundary is created by Thirlmere and the St Johns in the Vale. Grasmere to Windermere forms the remainder of the eastern boundary. In the west, Stake Pass descends into Great Langdale.
Today I led a walk (group of 3) along the following route: Grasmere-Silver How-Brigstone Moss-Lang How-Swinescar Pike-Blea Crag-Easedale Tarn-Easedale-Grasmere. The weather was clear and sunny if a little hazy. The path has one steep part, to Silver How, thereafter it is a clear path over grassland and some peat bogs to Lang How. The unnamed tarn in this area is one of my favourites and I diverted the group to the Western edge in order to enjoy the splendid view to the Langdales and Langdale Valley from here. We continued to Blea Crag and down the steep slope to Easedale Tarn. This path can be tricky especially in the winter, when the sun does not come above the horizon to melt the ice. Care must be taken not to step off the path around the tarn either, as a dip into a very deep peat bog might result! Bracken grows tall here, as do various gorse bushes. The path to Easedale Valley is a popular tourist route, so the path has undergone extensive repairs. The path along the valley gives good views of Helm Crag and refreshments are aplenty in the busy Lakeland village. Wheatear can be seen along these fells, as well as Mallard swimming in the tarns.
