Route: From the campsite, turn left and follow the road up the valley. There is a small "pavement" most of the way to Mountain View cottages. Head South on the farm track immediately before the bridge. A good footpath heads up to the left signposted Glaramara and this is the way we are heading. If you used the carpark, it is just up around the corner so walk back to this point. Follow the path uphill until you come out of the trees and there is a short level section just through a gate. Here the main Glaramara path heads up to the right and it is easiest to continue straight on on a small path. The suggested approach follows the black dotted footpath on the map which leads to Raven Crag. Instead we crossed the stream at this point (by a tree and a sheep enclosure), climbed a short way up the bank and took a path on the east side of the valley. Follow the path into The Combe until you see Dove's Nest as the obvious crag up to the left. Make your way to the crag, the last bit is steep as you get onto the scree slope.

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The hardest part is always finding the start of a route and we didn't find the book description that obvious (until you actually find the route and then you go "oh, that is that bit"!). Just off the scree slope path is a small flat area and you can see a tunnel under a rock (not mentioned in the scramble guide and REALLY obvious!). This is the start of the scramble and we roped up here.

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The scrambles are described in detail in the guide book routes 89 Dove's Next The Attic cave and 90 Dove's Nest Crag.

Route 89 is a short up and down (the down is not tricky, in many ways easier!). It was possible to protect the Little Chaps with the rope and also help them up over big steps etc. A worthwhile route for the mid level balcony view out of the crag and over the valley and the awesome setting of the top cave.

Route 90 heads up from more or less the same start point. Basically, it is a scramble so take the easiest line on great rock. There are many options and holds so all levels can have fun. The main move goes behind a large rock and then steps across and around a corner. Quite exposed for a scramble but a lovely move. Then follow the rock to the top making it as easy or as hard as you like.

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From the top rock step, we headed towards the obvious summit of Rosthwaite Cam. You are travelling cross country for a bit and if you did both scrambles little legs will be tired at this point and it could be fairly late in the day. From the summit, head down, still off-path towards Tarn at Leaves where you can see the path. This drops off to the right, back into the valley. It gets quite steep as you head down but on mostly grassy slopes. This will return you more or less to the river crossing from earlier. Cross the rive to return to the car park. To return to the campsite, go through the gate and follow the path. Ignore the left turn (footpath marked on map) and continue to contour the valley side. The path eventually joins the next footpath marked on the map (the path doesn't quite go where marked on the map - see our purple line) and you can follow this into the Chapel House yard, back to your tent for tea, cake and dinner.

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Verdict: A longer day than the distances would suggest so plenty of snacks required. Two really different and worthwhile scrambles that give a definite feeling of adventure. The Combe is pretty quiet, most parties head to the classic rock climbs on Raven Crag so you feel like you have the place to yourselves which adds to the feeling of adventure. It was a good summer holiday route to avoid the crowds.

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