Recce Days – Patterdale Parish Boundary

3 Recce Days Completes The Route

In the Footsteps of the boys of Patterdale Parish, who traditionally Beat The Bounds... Learn the route, understand the navigation tools needed. The actual boundary isn't so straight forward!

As a 45 year old tradition in the Ullswater Valley, join locals and regulars to the valley to 'Beat The Bounds' of the Patterdale Parish Boundary, following the Parish Bounds as much as possible on 6th July 2024.

​Our recce days give you a chance to meet others building their skills to complete this challenging route in July. You will feel familiarity when heading out on the fell.

You may find the day of the event similar to the picture above - poor visibility for parts of the route, do you know the way?!

Each of the 3 recees for the Patterdale Parish Boundary Event will lead you across the actual boundary route where possible, and this isnt necessarily the well hiked path.  There are strategic points which participants will be required to ‘tick’ on the event and we will guide you though these and give navigation tips along the way to make these easier to follow.

If we have 7+ participants on the recce days there will be 2 guides and the group can split so some can run (not fast, as we are learning!)  and some who hike speedily.  If 6 or less booked for the recce, we will be speed hiking between the strategic navigational points.

There are 3 sections of the Full Boundary where it’s either unsafe or inaccessible to follow the boundary route, these are:

Glencoyne Basin - at the start - the path to Nick Head is used
Red Screes - down the front (east side) - the main path is used
Bleaberry Knott to Ullswater shoreline - off Place Fell (west side) - the Hare Shaw path is used.

Recce 1 - 12th May 2024
Distance: 22km & 1350m ascent

Route: Glencoyne (well trodden trail rather than up the beck) - Stybarrow Dodd (but not quite)  - Helvellyn - Dollywagon Pike (yes, the totally steep descent from the boundary post) - Seat Sandal - Grisedale Hause… then off the Boundary route for a descent through Grisedale Valley
Distance: 22km & 1350m ascent

Recce 2 - 26th May 2024
Distance: 23km & 1500m ascent

Route: Head up Grisedale Valley to rejoin the Boundary Route at Grisedale Hause - Fairfield - Hart Crag - Dove Crag - Scandale - Red Screes - Kirkstone - Stony Cove Pike - Threshthwaite Mouth - for a descent to Hartsop off the Boundary Route

Recce 3 - 23rd June 2024
Distance: 17km & 1200m ascent

Route: Head up Pasture Bottom to rejoin the Boundary Route at Threshthwaite Mouth - Thronthwaite Crag - (this section is not as you think!... the boundary steers you way off the beaten track!) - High Street - Rest Dodd (but not quite) - Satura Crags - Angel Tarn (the wrong side!) - Stoney Rigg - Place Fell - Past The Knight for a descent down the Hare Shaw path.

Recce Days with Basic Navigation Tuition: £45 per person per recce

Nicola was really approachable, she listened and very enthusiastic. The walks allowed us to put a lot into practice.

Susan Harding2023

We have done several walks with Nic. She is very quick to see and adapt walks to peoples abilities. Also very knowledgeable about the area and would recommend walks with the company.

Gill Flynn2022

Stephen Gorton the founder of the event