Wild camping: Angel Tarn in the Patterdale Valley

for those who are following my trip (i want to thank you) youll remember i mentioned a grueling hike up a mountain after ripping up and down the old coach road all day, so the bikes actually came after the idea of hiking up to Angle tarn and i think it may have been a mistake, only at the start of the walk did i realise that my legs had took on the property of jelly.

either way we pressed on, i say we. it was my wonderful girlfriend and i. as a passionate hiker and wild camper i know that no matter how hard it is. on a day like it was the camp was going to be worth it. my girlfriend on the other hand was just about to start the 500m climb to her second ever wild camp. and what i now know also one of the highest peaks shes climbed so breaking new ground.

just outside Glenridding youll find the patterdale hotel, conveniently placed in the Patterdale valley, i find it amazing that they would name a whole Valley after a hotel. it must be a good hotel. but anyway like Alfred wainwright and i agree that this here Valley is the best in the lakes. hands down my favourite. so yeah park at the hotel £10 for the night and head away from Glenridding on the road until you turn left over a bridge crossing the Goldrill Beck and heading to the start of the steep climb up to the top of Dale Head. but thats not where were going, its an easy route to follow just keep the big hill to your left and you cant really miss it

with fantastic views that only get better with the altitude to your right and a well trodden path underfoot, side by side steps soon turn to single track up and up passing many stopping points which my girlfriend jumped at the chance to stop and threaten to quit. both of us were glad she didn’t. as you reach the last quarter of the trail nearing the top youll level out and start to head into the dip between the pikes, surrounded by ferns and sheep keeping to the right and the last push to the top before following the tightest single track around a rather steep drop then then, right there youll see it. the tarn will come into sight.

ah the youth are coming back off their phones they say. and it was good to see around 4 or 5 tents occupied by a group of young lads. up to watch the set and rise. id love to see them still telling that story in 10 years, but the beauty of angle tarn is there is always room to breathe and me and Z found a 10/10 spot nestled next to a rock hiding us from everyone else. i was hoping for a swim but while unpacking realised in my haste i forgot clean clothes. and what i was wearing had become rather damp so chose to stay on land. but next time. we set up camp in our snug little 2 man mats and bags at the ready and a hearty meal of chicken noodles and some cheese and herb baguette (top tip pull out the inside fill the baguette with noodles and thank me later)

the night was perfect, no wind, no clouds and an amazingly bright moon, still allowing the stars to shine with all their glory, i chose to leave Z snoring so she missed it but i took a minute to look up. i think that good life advice for anyone willing to listen, just 10 minutes of looking at the stars on a night like that is enough to make the whole day good.

brisk morning up for 6am to see the sun rise over the other side of the lake, coffee and oats packed away and big stretch. what a night, i seem to sleep better outside than i do in a bed, i think the fresh air has something to do with that. but back onwards the way we came same views but now bathed in the fresh morning sun looking down on cars going to work and farms waking up is an amazing way to start the day. but now for the hard part for me. as i have mentioned im feeling old and definitely in the knees and coming down is always the worst. i know its strange but thats why i got into mountain biking. i find it easier to come hurtling down on two wheels than on two feet. 2 hours up one hour down, i think Z was still hungry as she was putting in a good pace. later she told me she had a classic dance track stuck in her head and with that motivation took us down in good time

so yeah that is definitely one for the favourites list and for avid to beginner Angel tarn is a must try.

Location: Lake District, UK

All trails: Angel tarn pikes/circular

Difficulty: Medium

Wild Camp: 10/10

thank you and goodnight GNG