Last week after a day’s work I took the easy route to the top heading SW at first from the parking area. Approaching from the Keswick side last winter, we’d decided to leave the top section because ice and frozen snow had made conditions so slippery. It’s not always a doddle this walk.

What I hadn’t known was that the route (No 38) I was now on had been developed as part of the Lake District Planning Board’s Miles without Stiles new scheme to promote walking for those with limited mobility. It’s a great project and needs more publicity as it helps to put many of the Lake District tops, lakes and fells within the grasp of those using wheelchairs or pushchairs and people with visual impairment.

Just hours later I found the Keswick Reminder’s ‘Chinese Bridge Ready on time’ story (21 August 2009) about the walk round Derwentwater. So here was another favourite, (Route No 34) which is also part of this same scheme – and it’s fun for children too! More details are on the Things to do section of the Planning Board’s website.