Around Loweswater to Fellbarrow and Low Fell

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Low Fell (2.7 km, 320 m)

   Climb of about 320 m over 2.7 km (around 12% average).

   Leave the valley floor and begin the steep, unrelenting slog up the grassy eastern flanks towards the ridge line. The initial ascent usually follows old farm tracks or field boundaries before breaking out onto the open fellside, where OSM maps a path, requiring a sustained physical push straight up the bank. Once you crest the main ridge, keep climbing north along the rolling, grassy tops to reach the phenomenal, steep-sided viewpoint of Low Fell, which looks straight down the barrel of Crummock Water.

   Waypoints

   Valley approach path, eastern grassy rake, Low Fell ridge, Low Fell viewpoint (summit).

   Decision point

   Follow the drystone walls and boundary fences up the fellside until you hit the ridge; from there, the topography is obvious, and you simply follow the highest ground north to the prominent cairn overlooking the lake.

   Easy to get wrong

   The eastern grassy ascent is punishingly steep and becomes a slick, slippery nightmare after typical Lake District rainfall, requiring a lot of trust in your boot treads. During summer, the lower slopes can be heavily choked with bracken, hiding uneven ground and deep runnels, while the final southern viewpoint has a sheer, sudden drop-off to the west that demands respect in high winds.

   If you need to get off

   If the ascent proves too much, the retreat is to carefully retrace your steps straight back down the grassy eastern slope to the valley; never attempt to bail out to the west, as the ground plummets over formidable, hidden crags towards the lake.

2. 2

   Low Fell → Sourfoot Fell (1.0 km, 23 m)

   Undulating section of about 1.0 km.

   Turn your back on the Crummock Water viewpoint and retrace your steps northwards along the broad, grassy crest of the ridge. The walking here is highly enjoyable and relaxed, dipping into a shallow saddle before rolling gently over the barely perceptible, rounded top of Sourfoot Fell.

   Waypoints

   Low Fell summit, the broad grassy col, Sourfoot Fell crest.

   Decision point

   A dilapidated, old wire fence line runs along much of this ridge system; keeping this fence roughly in sight provides a linear handrail directly across the grassy plateau.

   Easy to get wrong

   The terrain is exceptionally straightforward, but this open, western-facing ridge offers zero shelter from prevailing weather fronts blasting in off the Solway Firth. The shallow depressions between these minor tops can hold standing water and form spongy, boot-soaking bogs after prolonged wet weather.

   If you need to get off

   Do not try to descend the steep western escarpment; if conditions deteriorate rapidly, retreat back down your original ascent path.

3. 3

   Sourfoot Fell → Smithy Fell (0.5 km, 14 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.5 km.

   Continue your northerly march across the wide, grassy upland pasture. The elevation barely changes on this section, making for a fast, striding traverse across the moorland grass to cross the indistinct elevation of Smithy Fell, which is often difficult to distinguish from the surrounding plateau.

   Waypoints

   Sourfoot Fell, the grassy plateau, Smithy Fell top.

   Decision point

   Continue utilizing the remains of the boundary fence line as your primary guide, or if the fence is lost, maintain a strict northerly compass bearing to ensure you stay central on the main crest of the fell system.

   Easy to get wrong

   Navigation is the primary hazard on this section; in thick clag, the lack of distinct geographical features on this broad, rolling expanse makes it incredibly easy to become disoriented and wander off course.

   If you need to get off

   If lost in poor visibility, do not wander west. No way off the ridge to the east has been checked for this guide: work out where you are before choosing to go on or to retrace the route.

4. 4

   Smithy Fell → Fellbarrow - Mosser Fell (0.5 km, 40 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.5 km.

   Proceed north from Smithy Fell, dropping into one final, shallow grassy depression before tackling the short but distinct pull up to the summit of Fellbarrow. The top is marked by an Ordnance Survey trig pillar sitting proudly amidst the sprawling, grazing lands of Mosser Fell.

   Waypoints

   Smithy Fell col, Fellbarrow summit, Ordnance Survey trig pillar.

   Decision point

   The white OS trig pillar on Fellbarrow is the definitive geographical target for this entire ridge and becomes visible from a distance in clear weather, serving as a perfect visual waypoint.

   Easy to get wrong

   The saddle immediately preceding the Fellbarrow ascent is notorious for hiding deep, boot-sucking peat bogs beneath innocent-looking bright green moss; careful route-picking is required to avoid going in over your ankles.

   If you need to get off

   No separate way down from Fellbarrow has been checked for this guide; the route itself descends south-west to the Mosser Road track (stage 5).

5. Fellbarrow - Mosser Fell → Finish (6.2 km, 49 m)

   Descent of about 290 m, with about 49 m of climbing, over 6.2 km.

   Descend steadily from the Fellbarrow plateau, dropping south-west and then south to intercept the ancient Mosser Road trackway. From here, follow this old corpse road and a network of lower farm lanes, contouring gently back along the valley flanks to complete the long, rolling walk-out to your starting point near Loweswater.

   Waypoints

   Fellbarrow summit, Mosser Road (ancient trackway), valley lanes, Loweswater finish.

   Decision point

   Once you are on the Mosser Road or the walled farm tracks, follow them off the fellside and back into the valley road network.

   Easy to get wrong

   This long 6.2 km return features minor, tiring undulations and heavily rutted tracks that often transform into running streams during heavy rain. Expect to encounter numerous grazing sheep and cattle on these lower pastoral sections, requiring strict gate discipline and close control of any dogs.

   If you need to get off

   This final stage is the way down: it follows tracks and lanes back to the valley.