The Coniston fells throw out a long ridge to the south-south-west, switchbacking over Dow Crag with a little chain of subsidiary summits: Buck Pike, Brown Pike, Walna Scar and White Maiden. But, even as it falls below 600m, it isn’t done yet. It keeps to high ground almost as far as the sea, where the sensibly-named River Duddon is joined by the preposterous-sounding River Lickle. This tapering wedge of ground is a hummocky paradise better-known by mountain bikers than walkers, being well-endowed with bridleways. The two outstanding summits are Caw and Stickle Pike. Caw is not to be confused with the much less shapely Caw Fell that overlooks Ennerdale. In both name and appearance, Stickle Pike seems like a chunk of Langdale transported south by freak tectonic action.
Uncanny, I was in the process of fathoming out a route from Torver taking in Caw (Stickle Pike being a bonus) and this popped into my email - thank you!
It's a nice part of the Lakes but does seem to attract trail bikers. I've come across deep ruts on most of the hills between the Walna Scar track and south of Stickle Pike. I've contacted the LDNPA more than once but never heard back.
Absolutely, Lankyman, the motorised brigade can be a menace. I've seen a guy hurtling up from the Duddon Valley onto the crest of Walna Scar in what looked like a couple of minutes. Helluva racket and heaven knows what kind of damage he was inflicting on the trail.
I can't grumble about the mountain bikes, though. I used to be one, and have written a fair few MTB routes in those parts.
