Distance: Approx 6 miles

Time: 3-4 hours, or longer if lingering with a picnic at Angle Tarn

Our favourite walk from the door it can be tackled clockwise or anti-clockwise and rewards the intrepid with some of the best views of the head of the Patterdale valley looking out over Brotherswater, Ullswater and Hayeswater.

OS Map OL5 is in all the cottages and you start by joining the Hartsop to Patterdale path on the eastern side of the Goldrill Beck and then climbing the 250m to Boredale Hause, this is a puff, but deserves to be taken slowly as it rewards you with ever more expansive views of the valley and Ullswater with every step. Once at the “Hause”, a network of paths lead off in every direction but pass the disused sheepfold on your right, and take the path which crosses the small beck heading uphill and south. This leads you into a ravine and then opens out to 180 degree panoramic views on a narrow path that clings to the fellside (not for those who are uncomfortable with heights).  Angle Tarn Pikes hove into view and the path climbs up turns slightly to the East to reward you with a breathtaking view of Angle Tarn. There are many picnic opportunities and look out for the wild Loch Leven trout and in the summer it is a lovely place for a wild swim in the clean yet peaty waters.

Before following the path onwards past the tarn, it is worth just climbing off the path near an old metal boundary post and carefully peering over the ridge down into the remote valley of Bannerdale. On the OS map you will see “Deer Forest” and although there are no trees here anymore, there are wild red deer – in October you may see over a 100 with as many as 20 testosterone fuelled stags roaring through the autumn mists.

The path continues for just over a mile until it meets the main path down from “The Knott” and at this point Hayeswater comes into view. Until recently a reservoir, but now restored to a tarn, the  removal of the dam has required a new bridge which is to the right as you descend the steepish grassy slope to the tarn. Then simply follow the main track back down into Hartsop – this is currently a little chewed up due to the installation of a Hydro scheme by The National Trust, but this will be repaired for the summer.

Now, you definitely deserve some cake!