The Walna Scar Road linking Coniston and Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley is often regarded as the boundary of Lakeland from a fellwalking point of view. This is most unfortunate because although these hills, a continuation of the Coniston Fells south to the Duddon Estuary might lack height, they concede nothing in terms of boldness of character, and they exhibit all the attributes one comes to expect in the Lake District. They have of course gained by not being included in as many guides and publications, and as yet only in a few places has the ground suffered with erosion due to walkers. A particular joy of walking along the watershed linking these hills are the supreme views over the Duddon Valley to a varied and beautiful backcloth of higher fells; from Black Combe round to Crinkle Crags, and featuring the Scafells seen I feel as well from here as anywhere else. I know it can be said of all Lakelands valleys but the Duddon is quite unique, and this is the place to look down at it. Immediately south of the Walna Scar Pass are three closely knit summits, and most certainly the main one must be White Maiden though not quite the highest. Perhaps the best feature here is the steep rocky ridge falling from White Pike to lower levels, beyond which the grand peak of Caw rises. This sharp loss of height comes as a surprise to those unfamliar with these hills. Caw would hold it's own in any company, and presents an uncompromising array of small crags and rock strewn slopes to all points. The immediate scenery is outstanding, and especially so when it is ascended by Goat Crag from the Park Head Road up the west ridge. Here a path takes a sporting line through the rocks, and even when the ground relents the interest never wanes. The summit is a beauty and commands a glorious view. Stickle Pike and it's satellites around the little valley of Dunnerdale offer a walk from the Broughton area of a high quality. I havn't found anywhere to better this delightful mix of miniature peaks adorned by lovely tarns. If this fails to please then nothing will! Not without reason is this area referred to as little Switzerland. Added to the undoubted virtues of the hills there is also laid before us the Duddon Estuary leading down the coast to Walney Island. 

ROUTE ONE. WHITE MAIDEN FROM TORVER VIA WALNA SCAR.
3 miles 1800ft of ascent. 2.5 miles 1725ft of ascent to Walna Scar.

     There is parking space at the foot of the lane to Scar Head just north of the church. Bear right at Scar Head, and follow the track up to the climbing hut at Tranearth. The main track crosses Torver Beck soon afterwards, and passes through the disused Banishead Quarry which has some attractions before making it's way up to the Walna Scar Road out of Coniston. Turn left soon crossing Cove Bridge surprisingly not named on the maps, and make the best of the badly damaged track. Some of the worst places can be avoided but unfortunately this only spreads the problem. At the summit of the Walna Scar Road go up the short rise on the left to the cairn on Walna Scar. This top is quite lacking in interest so leave it along the ridge south west for the more promising summit of White Maiden. The simple way back to Torver is by the route of ascent, but a descent can be made via the eastern slope to Red Gill Beck and Ash Gill Beck; where a path will be found leading down to the wall corner and a better path coming in from some old quarries.

ROUTE TWO. WHITE MAIDEN FROM SEATHWAITE VIA CAW, PIKES AND WHITE PIKE.
3.5 miles 2325ft of ascent

   The track begins near the Newfield Inn and heads south soon in the company of Old Park Beck. When the slopes of Caw are almost passed and the track splits the task in hand can be assessed. Caw does not give in lightly, and I have found that the best footing early on is to keep left of the rocks to find a path ascending the ridge behind the skyline. The ground does become more agreeable as height is gained, and it is a good moment when the summits O S column appears above. Not many fells have this attribute; nor do they have a better summit than Caw. Along with all this is a magnificent view; in particular up the Duddon Valley to the Scafells. A path drops down easy slopes north east and beyond a depression a fair climb leads to the attractive rock adorned  top of Pikes. There is quite a descent now to Yaud Mire which is not as bad as it sounds and then the shapely peak of White Pike has to be contended with. The ascent looks like hard work and it is, yet the steep final climb up a rocky rib is excellent. The summit reveals that the fells appearance from below is a sham for a slight dip only separates White Pike from White Maiden. Seathwaite is quickly gained by going down the fell north west to the Walna Scar Track.

ROUTE THREE. STICKLE PIKE FROM BROUGHTON MILLS VIA GREAT STICKLE AND TARN HILL.
2.5 miles 1350ft of ascent.  

  At Broughton Mills cross the bridge over the River Lickle, and keep straight ahead up to Green Bank. The track heads slightly right ascending by a cottage, and keeps left of Penny Crag Wood. Ignore two tracks going off to the right, and on a westerly course the rough terrain of Great Stickle soon rises ahead. Keep on the track below Hovel Knott, but look out for a rising path in the bracken on the far side doubling back above the Knott. There are several paths hereabouts, but take the obvious one ascending the slope on the left to the fine little top of Great Stickle. A thin path leads north west down to a depression, and the main ridge track is just beyond this up a short rise. It leads past some small tarns, but does not go to the summit of Tarn Hill which is worth a detour from the path; not just for itself but to see more little pools some of which are very attractive in a surround of pleasant rocks. The maps once again show no routes on the ground; not even the main one to Stickle Pike which rises ahead from Tarn Hill like a miniature Matterhorn. A direct assault can be made by adventurous souls, though most will keep to the path to it's highest point when a short climb only remains. Over the little Dunnerdale Valley to the east a prominent track will be noticed gradually slanting across the fell. This can be used on the way back having descended first to the road at Kiln Bank Cross. Best by far though is to go up onto the ridge and traverse the entire length from here over Ravens Crag to The Knott. Several fine tops and a beautiful little path make this most rewarding. A good path drops down to the road near Knott End for Broughton Mills. The prominent track mentioned above crosses the ridge in the dip below The Knott.

ROUTE FOUR. CAW FROM BROUGHTON MILLS VIA THE KNOTT, RAVENS CRAG, UNNAMED TOP (1183ft), FOX HAW AND BROCK BARROW.
3.75 miles 2500ft cf ascent

  This is one of the finest walks in this series, yet the little ridge behind The Knott is not often visited despite it's many attractive rocky tops. Leave Broughton Mills by the road to the Dudden Valley passing the church, and a quarter of a mile further up the hill tum right into a narrow lane. It quickly swings left and continues to climb, but at the next right tum go through a gate and ascend the good path up The Knott. The view back is excellent, and the ridge ahead with Ravens Crag prominent suggests much to look forward to. Beyond a grassy hollow the path avoids the crags on the right to reach the top and then traverses a shallow trough to ascend to the Unnamed Top at 1183ft. Several rises and twists in the ridge bring the fine summit of Fox Haw underfoot, and several more must be negotiated before easy slopes descend to the Park Head Road. At this point Caw may be considered enough to do, but the grand rocky summit of Brock Barrow is worth a detour; the easiest access being through a gate just above the stream. It is not easy nor indeed suggested that the wall be climbed higher up. Finally cross the stream and make for the lower left of the craggy face ahead. Once underway the path to the summit will be located becoming clearer as height is gained. Caw is a superb fell and well worth the effort. It is possible to descend the slopes southwards with care to pick up the track leading to Stephenson Ground and the quiet lane back to Broughton Mills.