Force Crag Mine from Braithwaite Walk

Force Crag Mine from Braithwaite

An easy walk that is ideal for those with off road disability vehicles, all terrain pushchairs or walkers wanting a simple stroll with very little ascent. I did this walk with my father as he has an off road disability vehicle called a Tramper. The walk is the simplest of walks as it follows a well laid quarry track along a contour through the beautiful Coledale Valley. We found this walk on the Lake District National Park's Miles without Stiles website here. It is a great opportunity for those who would not normally think it possible, to find themselves enjoying such a wild and remote scene. The walk is best kept for summer months when the hills are purple with heather and a variety of birds and animals including the Common Lizard, are out in abundance. It is a linear walk there and back walk so you can make it as long or short as you like. The car park at the start of the walk only holds around a dozen cars so you have to get there early as any alternative start involves a steep ascent up the road from the village. Another great resource for walks similar to this is the All Terrain Pushchair Walks series of books available here.

Route Directions

Easy
4 Miles
137m Ascent
2 Hours

This walk starts at the small car park on the B5292 Whinlatter Pass road just north of Braithwaite Village. It is a small parking area that only fits around a dozen cars so get there early. The car park is at grid reference NY 227 237.
The mine track heads south out of the car park. There is often a bar across the track preventing access to general motorised vehicles. You can usually pass the bar to the left or right where there is ample space for disability vehicles, prams or bikes.
After around a hundred and fifty metres the track starts to bend to the right as it skirts round the far eastern end of Kinn. The slopes of which rise to your right, often covered in bracken and purple heather in the summer months.
As the track bends left stop and take in the views on your left east over Braithwaite towards the obvious mountain bulk of Skiddaw above Keswick. Skiddaw is one of only four mountains in the Lake District above the three thousand foot mark.
Once round the bend the track then heads in to the Coledale Valley. The track heads in a south west direction. Following a steady contour on the northern side of the valley for three kilometres.
If you have your eyes ready in summer months you may see Common Lizards basking on the rocky track. The Coledale Valley is also home to many birds I have seen Whinchat, Stonechats, Ravens, Kestrel, Buzzards and the world's fastest animal the Peregrine Falcon.
As you follow the track through the valley the waters of the Coledale Beck snake their way along the valley floor. Have a look up too at the mountains surrounding the valley. This famous circuit of mountains known as the Coledale Horseshoe is a favourite of many hill walkers.
Directions will appear here soon.

Check the weather

The weather is a very important part of hill walking. Weather conditions and daylight hours will dictate where you walk, what gear you will need to carry, how far you walk and may even decide if you go walking at all. The following links will help you gather information on weather conditions for areas of Britain...

Plan your journey

Planning your journey the day before you set off for your walk can save you vital hours on the day. You need to make sure you know the area surrounding your starting point as many factors can change the place you end up parking. Maintenance of your vehicle and being ready for breakdown situations when driving to remote areas is also vital. Pack a full spare petrol can in your boot, take de-icing tools in winter including a shovel and don't forget change for parking charges. The Transport Direct website below is a great resource for anyone wanting to get to a walk using public transport...

Know what to do in emergencies

It is a good habbit to tell someone where you are going. If you don't get in contact several hours after you said you would on your return and those you told can't get hold of you at least they will be able to tell anyone looking for you exactly where you had gone.

Emergency kit in the check list above means kit like a survival bag, whistle and emergency food rations. This isn't anything special, any whistle will do, the orange emergency bags only costs a few pounds and food rations only need to be a couple of chocolate bars. Carrying a head lamp is also a part of this and a vital piece of kit used for signalling when you require rescuing.

You should always try and get out of an emergency situaion using your own gear, knowlegde and energy. If you can not get out of your situation then you should dial 999 and ask for the police. Use all the gear you have to keep any unwell or injured members of your party or yourself safe and warm. Use your signalling devices to let the rescuers know your whereabouts. Six good long blasts of a whistle or flashes of a torch. Stop for one minute. Repeat. Carry on the whistle blasts until someone reaches you and don't stop because you've heard a reply.

Never contact mountain rescue unless absolutely neseccary but on the other hand don't ever feel guilty for having to do so, especially if you are a prepared walker. The Mountain Rescue teams are full of fantastic like minded souls who love nothing more than people who are prepared being safe in the mountains.