For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

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It's the start of the long Easter weekend, the weather is glorious once again but there is no chance that I am going to venture into the Lakes with its attendant transport problems. Besides we want something closer to home so that we can have the afternoon at home. We decided on this walk because Warton Crag at this time of year usually as a good show of Orchids and Bluebells.....we were not disappointed. This was also my 50th walk of 2011. It's taken 5 days longer than last year but I'm more than happy considering I seem to have been struggling more with the breathing than last year.

Route Map

We decided to leave the car at Crag Foot and do the short road walk to the RSPB Centre at Leighton Moss first.

Passing Slackwood Farm where the redevelopment work continues.

The practise green at Silverdale Golf Club.

Crossing the Lancaster - Barrow railway line as we arrive at the Visitor Centre

The Centre wasn't open yet. The ducks were eagerly awaiting the visitors.

From the centre there is a short walk up the road to Leighton Moss passing part of the golf course on the way.

We are now on the causeway that runs across Leighton Moss. I'm afraid I don't have the necessary patience to enjoy bird watching so the areas of open water we pass only get a quick once-over.

You are seldom alone at Leighton Moss, whatever the hour.

We are now in the public hide and the main stretch of water seems as usual to be dominated by gulls.

We carried on along the causeway passing by my favourite viewpoints.

As we left the Moss we crossed paths with this colourful chappie who posed for me.

A look back as we follow the lane towards Grisedale Farm.

A look back as we pass Grisedale Farm with Arnside Knott in the distance.

Colourful trees as we approach Leighton Hall.

Leighton Hall

Making our way up Summer House Hill with Eaves Wood and Arnside Knott across Leighton Moss.

Not a very good picture, but they were a great distance away.

Looking back down our route up the hill.

After emerging onto the quiet road there followed a short road walk which passed the entrance to Leighton Hall.

A Peacock butterfly in a patch of muddy water on the way.

At the Piggeries we took a concessionary path across the area known as Three Brothers.

Walking through Three Brothers. We didn't bother visiting the 3 rocks which give the area its name as they will be covered in new growth now.

The track leads out onto a narrow walled track, an old drovers road where a turn right and a few steps will lead to the entrance to Warton Crag Nature Reserve.

When I first saw this through the woods I thought it was somebody camping....

....In fact it was bug catcher for a survey being carried out.

We carried on along the main path before diverting on narrow path to the left.

Lots of Orchids about at this time of year.

It was a bit hazy for good views down the bay. We stopped here a short while listening to the climbers below us.

On a clear day Ingleborough is visible from here.

There were loads of Orchids about now....

......and as we made our way to the summit the bluebells made an appearance.

The summit is marked with a Trig Point and a Beacon which looks as if it could topple over at any time.

Looking towards home but failing to see it.

It's a touch clearer this way, with Jenny Brown's Point in mid-picture and a faint Cartmel Peninsula behind.

Making our way down now....

A lovely Speckled Wood Butterfly in the undergrowth.

Our path from the summit wove its way through the woods and limestone outcrops to rejoin the old drovers road....

.....which we followed down...

....to join a minor road which led down to Crag Foot..

A short walk now back to the car

And finally......back!!

Next Walk:      24th April 2011 - Lake District - Along the Cumbria Way at Coniston.

Last Walk:       21st April 2011 - South Cumbria - A Haverthwaite & Roudsea circular.

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