The British Trip
September 15, 2022: Keswick, England. Today we climbed up and up to the Summits of Catbells and Maiden Moor, with views over the Derwentwater. Brilliant!
“The fleeting hour of life of those who love the hills is quickly spent, but the hills are eternal.”
― Alfred Wainwright
Our “British Trip” hikes seem to get more breathtaking as we meander North. Catbells and Maiden Moor, in the North Lakes District, was the best yet.
Fell Walking
Brits head to the Lake District for “fell walking” – hiking the hills. The highest fells stand just over 3,000 feet. While they are about half the height of the taller Blue Ridge peaks in the eastern US, they still get your legs burning and heart pumping. Pastures and sheep cover most fells, so the views go for miles over the region’s lakes.
Catbells Fell
Hikers of all abilities climb Catbells. Two lean trail runners zipped by us (I applauded them on). A few wheezed their way to the false summit, half-way up the fell. Most persevered to fantastic views from the at the 1,500-foot peak. And why is it named “Catbells” you ask? No idea!
Maiden Moor Fell
We followed the ridgeline onward, first down then back up to the Maiden Moor fell, at 1,900 feet. We had two other silent couples for company, enjoying the verdant views. As the British say, “brilliant”.
Then we wound our way back down a steep descent to our car, where the reverie was broken by a parking ticket on the windshield. I should have known that perfect spot at the trailhead was too good to be true. While the hike was brilliant, my parking was not!
Your photos and travel writing are “brilliant” as well ! Sooooo grateful that you are both out there exploring our planet (and sharing these stories with us.)