To Reeth via the High Route

We left Keld with cloudy and cool weather and walked towards Reeth. The Pennine Way crosses the path of the Coast to Coast at Keld, and we walked along it for 100 meters or so until it veered off. We then passed a whole succession of old mining buildings and waste rock piles from the centuries of lead mining in this area. Britain produced half the world’s lead in the 19th century. We passed an old smelter from that period that had warnings not to climb on its crumbling walls. Much of the higher elevation walk was rock piles and gravel roads but as we descended we saw more and more of the heather and peat moss. There were grouse everywhere. Grouse hunting is a big business here. The land is privately owned by several Dukes. They manage the grouse population with controlled burns of the peat and heather. August 12 is the start of the grouse hunting season and it’s called “the Glorious 12th”. People are charged 20,000£ to shoot and get to keep two grouse and the rest end up in restaurants. It’s way more expensive than a week long hunt in the Yukon with an outfitter. We entered Reeth around 3 pm and had drinks at the Buck Hotel. Then we had Yorkshire ice cream cones. Reeth is cleaning up from a terrible flood just a few days ago. Tonight we’re going to the King’s Arms for dinner.Read more