To book you must first Log In or Register your Details with SiEntries.

The Famous Autumn Red Deer Rut in the Ullswater and Martindale area of the Lake District is a hidden gem as the bellowing of stags echoes around Martindale and Boredale. We listen and watch and immerse ourselves in these autumn sounds. We can experience this truly magical connection to nature as the autumn weather adorns us, if clouds are low, or indeed rising and falling, we still hear the Stags during this time.

WHAT ARE YOU LIKELY TO SEE:

• Participants in our Rutting Hikes will be guaranteed to hear and experience the Red Deer Rut during October in Martindale.
• There is a chance we might see 2 male stags fighting, or to hear the antlers clash on occasion, and sometimes behind the mist - just to hear it.  Almost all of our deer hikes in the peak period of October, we will hear 2 stags from different sides of the valley bellowing to one another, and it's easy to differentiate them. We have also caught a glimpse of a huge red deer wallowing, to blacken himself, just the once.
• The visibility is out of our control, more often than not, we will have half a day clear of clouds or they rise and fall... It's very exciting as the valley opens up after a misty start. We can stumble across large groups of deer literally just off the path. It, of course, depends on other hikers hoping to see/hear the deer too. The word has spread, and its' fingers crossed everyone else is respectful and quiet deep in the valley. 
• We work with Dalemain Estates and would like to thank them for their support in our Red Deer Hikes.  This being said, they ask that we don't head onto The Nab, a mountain where most of the deer frequent, but to watch and listen from afar as they do roam from the Shores of Ullswater, over Place Fell, deep into Boredale Valley, Bannerdale Valley (in which we walk) and Martindale and then away over into Haweswater as well. We are therefore likely to see groups of deer on our hike.

Walk Description

Our journey will start from Hartsop, with a good uphill stride out heading towards Angle Tarn. On the approach we will likely see the deer on the skyline before any hikers disturb them.  wE know all the good spots to watch and absorb their habits. We may even see them wallowing at dawn in favourite bogs we know about! We head laong the fellside towards Bedfell before dropping into Bannerdale to be deep into the valley to listen to the echos of the stags. Somewhere laong the way we will stop for a good break to listen and watch, and eat our packed breakfast (please bring your own and a brew and something warm to sit on too) , with a 30 minute trip on the Ullswater Steamers from Howtown back to Glenridding to end. (£11:50 additional cost on arrival). The boat ride is weather dependent, if the steamers are off due to high winds we will car share and drive around to Howtown, instead.  If there is wind forecast out hiking route will steer more around the Rest Dodd Area. 

Start time: 5:30am (I will write to everyone when we know the weather, it maybe that we meet at the Steamer Peir in Glenridding, and car share to Hartsop). 

Meeting Point: Glenridding Steamer Pier, CA11 0US. 1 0US

Finish Time: 12noon - 1pm approximately, Steamer dependent.

Route distance: 10km-12km, weather dependent 

Route Ascent: 400m - 600m, weather and participant and red deer dependent!

TERRAIN:  Easy fell walk, some boggy parts and some easy rocky sections. A steep start onto the fellside and lots of steps down to the end, which can be taken slowly.

It is important you are comfortable with this distance, and to take into consideration the ascent, we will not be moving quickly, but need to be able to walk at a reasonable hiking pace up hill in order to keep everyone warm on chillier days. It is important not to be at your absolute limit in order to participate in this hike. On wet or windy days, the distance can feel like a lot more!

Hiking Highs kit list

Please advise if you are missing anything from the list below, we have some spares, including rucksacks, the list may seem comprehensive, but we like to ensure your comfort and safety for a journey into the fells.

If you wish to purchase any outdoor clothing, we have a fabulous & independent outdoor store here in Glenridding, and you can call them in advance for great Lake District kit advice! If you need to purchase over the phone or on line and we are happy to collect this for you and bring to the start of your hike. The shop does open at 9am too. 

Catstycam Outdoor Store LINK

We will lend binoculars for the day and also have some fabulous SILVA Binos to purchase on the day if you wish to have your own. 

●      Rucksack for your kit for the day, lunch, and spare kit. Please use plastic bag, binliner or dry bag inside your bag, its essential to keep your emergency jacket, hat and gloves tucked away and dry inside your bag in Autumn weather.

●      Boots or trail shoes/approach shoes with good trail grip

●      Walking Socks, or Waterproof socks if weather not in our favour

●      Waterproof top with taped seams (so fully waterproof) & hood

●      Waterproof bottoms with taped seams (so fully waterproof)

●      (waterproofs above are essential even on dry day, as these are your emergency layer too)

●      Warm jacket, preferable not down as this can collapse if wet in the rain

●      Spare midlayer/jacket for emergency that you don't intend to wear for the walk 

●      Warm hat

●      Warm gloves, or waterproof gloves if due to be wet (we have some spares – just let us know)

●      Thin gloves or liner gloves can be useful if warmer weather with a chilly breeze for the top sections of the walk – not essential

●      Breakfast & snacks that are easily accessible in your pack in wet weather

●      Cold drink

●      Warm drink (we have a spare thermos or two if you don't have one - please advise us if you need us to bring you a warm drink)

●      Head torch -  (we have spares please advise if you need to borrow one)

●      Walking poles if you feel this would give you added security (We have lots of spare poles that fold into 4 sections for easy carrying on your pack - please advise us in advance if you would like to borrow some)

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with [email protected] if you have questions regarding your hike.

 

We look forward to taking you out on your adventure.

View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.

View the Event Cancellation / Refund Policy.

---