Bannisdale Horseshoe facts for kids
The Bannisdale Horseshoe is a beautiful area of hills and mountains located near the eastern edge of the Lake District National Park in England. It gets its name because the hills form a U-shape, like a horseshoe, around the valley of Bannisdale Beck. This beck is a small stream that flows into the River Mint.
This area is famous because it was described by Alfred Wainwright, a well-known author and fellwalker. He wrote about the Bannisdale Horseshoe in his book The Outlying Fells of Lakeland. He even suggested a specific walk around the horseshoe.
Exploring the Bannisdale Horseshoe
Wainwright's suggested walk around the Bannisdale Horseshoe is a circular route. It takes you over several different hilltops, offering amazing views. The walk is done in a clockwise direction.
What Hills Will You See?
The walk includes several notable peaks. One of the first and most striking is Whiteside Pike. It stands at about 397 meters (1,302 feet) tall. Wainwright described Whiteside Pike as a "dark pyramid" covered in heather and bracken. He thought it was the most attractive part of the whole horseshoe. He even said it was worth visiting on its own!
Other hills you might encounter on the full horseshoe walk include:
- Todd Fell (about 400 meters or 1,313 feet)
- Capplebarrow (about 513 meters or 1,683 feet)
- Swinklebank Crag (about 554 meters or 1,819 feet)
- Ancrow Brow North (about 540 meters or 1,771 feet)
- Long Crag (about 488 meters or 1,602 feet)
- White Howe (about 530 meters or 1,737 feet)
- The Forest (about 529 meters or 1,736 feet)
- Lamb Pasture (about 367 meters or 1,205 feet)
Why Visit the Bannisdale Horseshoe?
The Bannisdale Horseshoe is a great place for hiking and enjoying nature. It's a bit less crowded than some other parts of the Lake District. This means you can experience the quiet beauty of the fells. The views from the tops of these hills are often spectacular. You can see across the valleys and other parts of the national park. It's a perfect spot for those who love outdoor adventures and exploring new places.
