Route:

From the campsite, head South back towards Side Farm 

(where you pay for your stay). From Patterdale, take the

large farm track between two buildings to cut across the

valley floor to Side Farm.

From Side farm, follow the track South to the next group 

of houses. Turn left on the bridleway to start climbing 

across the valley side, heading for the saddle that you can

see up in front of you (Boredale Hause).

As we approached the farm from the campsite, we actually climbed up before Side Farm to the higher level bridleway and walked through some old quarry workings to meet the bridleway coming up from the valley.

At Boredale Hause keep turning to your left to follow the path up on Place Fell. The path is obvious, a little steep and stony in places but easy to follow up to the summit.

The obvious path from the summit actually leaves the right of way at the top, heading down over Hart Crag and this is the easiest way to go. Again, some steeper, rockier sections but really easy to follow the path down to the Sheep Fold at Low Moss. This has been carefully rebuilt by National Park volunteers.

There is the option here for shorter legs to cut the corner and save a couple of kilometres on the day. Head down the footpath to the North to reach the lakeside path earlier. You come out pretty much at a cafe which makes a useful refuel point before the walk back along the lake. 

We continued onto High Dodd and on to the cairn marked on the map. Then down the ridge (quite steep and potentially tricky for little legs if the ground is wet) of Sleet Fell (more or less follow the wall line shown on the map) to the bridleway just outside Sandwick. 

Turn left to follow the bridleway back along the lake to either the campsite or Side Farm and back over to Patterdale. This path is quite undulating but easy to follow and a couple of great vantage points to sit and watch the boats on Ullswater.

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Verdict: 

This was a great day out showcasing lots of the best bits about the Lake District. A great view up the valley towards the Kirkstone Pass, a great view from the top of Place Fell and then a lovely walk along the lake watching the boats. Place Fell is a Wainwright so it makes for a good tick on the list but the route is easy to follow on good paths. A great introduction to mountain walking for anybody and the Little Chaps had a great time. A grand day out!

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