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TO BORROWDALE BY WATENDLETH.
On a second excursion to Borrowdale, on foot or on horseback, the
road by Ashness to Watendleth may be taken. From a bridge above
Barrow Cascade, there is a splendid view of the valley, with the
lakes of Derwent and Bassenthwaite; and a little further on, by
deviating to the edge of a precipice on the right, the waterfall
of Lowdore comes in view, and the lake appears at an awful depth
beneath your feet. After losing sight of the lakes, the road lies
along a contracted valley, by the side of the stream which
supplies the cataract of Lowdore. At the distance of five miles
from Keswick, it reaches Watendleth, which consists of a few
antiquated cottages and farm buildings, in colour dark as the
neighbouring rocks; just beyond which the tarn is placed, amidst
a small area of green meadows, surrounded by wild and
uncultivated hills. A track leads from thence over the hill, from
which there is a fine view of the head of Borrowdale; it then
descends steeply to Rosthwaite, whence the return may be made by
Bowder Stone to Keswick; a circuit of 14 miles. To contract this
excursion, the stream from Watendleth may be crossed about a mile
beyond Ashness; then turning towards Lowdore, there is a peculiar
view of a part of Derwentwater through the opening above the
waterfall: which may be varied at pleasure, from a higher or a
lower station.
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