Around Loweswater

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Darling Fell (3.3 km, 288 m)

   Climb of about 288 m over 3.3 km (around 9% average).

   Leave Maggie's Bridge by the lanes north-east through Loweswater, then a field path north. The path then turns uphill for a steep, sustained pull, about 40%, up the south-east flank of Low Fell past Raven Crag, to the dip below Low Fell's summit. Turn west there, drop to ford Crabtree Beck, and climb to the summit of Darling Fell, which looks down the length of Loweswater.

   Waypoints

   Loweswater lanes, Low Fell's south-east flank, Crabtree Beck ford, Darling Fell summit.

   Decision point

   Use the drystone walls and field boundaries on the lower slopes to guide your ascent; on the open fell, a path climbs to the dip below Low Fell's summit, and another runs west from there over Crabtree Beck to Darling Fell.

   Easy to get wrong

   The lower sections of this ascent are prone to thick bracken in summer, which can hide the trod and soak your legs after a morning dew. The steep grassy pitches higher up become slick and treacherous in the wet; wear sturdy boots with deep lugs.

   If you need to get off

   If the climb proves too hard, turn round and carefully retrace your steps down the grassy bank to the valley floor; avoid drifting west into steeper, craggier terrain overlooking the lake.

2. 2

   Darling Fell → Smithy Fell (2.0 km, 167 m)

   Descent of about 69 m, then a climb of about 167 m, over 2.0 km.

   Return east from Darling Fell the way you came, down to the ford on Crabtree Beck, then climb north up the beck's valley past Beckhead Moss and on over rolling moorland to cross the indistinct top of Smithy Fell.

   Waypoints

   Crabtree Beck ford, Beckhead Moss, Smithy Fell upland plateau.

   Decision point

   An old wire fence runs across much of this upland plateau; keep it in sight as a handrail across the featureless expanse.

   Easy to get wrong

   The depression between these two fells is a catchment for water, with spongy, boot-soaking peat bogs that spread after heavy rain. Finding a dry line means weaving through the tussocks; a direct bearing may mean wet feet.

   If you need to get off

   No way down from here has been checked for this guide; if the weather turns, retrace the route by the ford on Crabtree Beck and the dip below Low Fell's summit.

3. 3

   Smithy Fell → Fellbarrow - Mosser Fell (0.5 km, 36 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.5 km.

   Continue north across the broad grassy pasture, dropping into one last shallow depression before the short pull up to the summit of Fellbarrow and its Ordnance Survey trig pillar.

   Waypoints

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

   Decision point

   The white OS trig pillar on Fellbarrow is the target, and becomes visible from a distance as you crest the rise.

   Easy to get wrong

   This is a fast and straightforward section, but with few distinct features, thick clag makes it easy to drift off course. The wind can also howl across this exposed ground with nothing to break it.

   If you need to get off

   No separate way down from Fellbarrow has been checked for this guide; the route itself continues south-west off the top (stage 4).

4. 4

   Fellbarrow - Mosser Fell → Burnbank Fell (6.7 km, 364 m)

   Descent of about 294 m, then a climb of about 364 m, over 6.7 km.

   Descend off the Fellbarrow ridge system to cross the valley floor at Waterend, navigating minor lanes and farm tracks before tackling the northern ascent of Burnbank Fell. The climb up Burnbank is a lung-busting slog up a steep wall of grass that eventually relents as you crest the high, flat summit plateau.

   Waypoints

   Fellbarrow descent, Waterend valley crossing, Burnbank Fell steep northern flank, Burnbank Fell summit.

   Decision point

   The valley road at Waterend acts as a catch-feature between the two hill systems. During the ascent of Burnbank, an old fence runs up the spine of the fell, a handrail in low visibility.

   Easy to get wrong

   This long stage covers several kinds of ground, but the real challenge is the ascent of Burnbank Fell; it is steep, exposed and physically draining, with the slick grass offering little purchase in the wet. The valley crossing also passes through working farms, where there may be livestock.

   If you need to get off

   At Waterend the route crosses the valley road, the natural midpoint to cut the day short by the minor roads back to the start and miss the second set of fells; it is about 3 km by road back to the start, and the traffic has not been checked for this guide.

5. 5

   Burnbank Fell → Blake Fell (1.3 km, 111 m)

   Climb of about 111 m over 1.3 km (around 9% average).

   Turn south for a high-level ridge walk, dipping into a shallow saddle before pushing up the final, rockier dome to the summit of Blake Fell, the highest point of the route, marked by a substantial stone wind shelter.

   Waypoints

   Burnbank Fell plateau, the grassy col, Blake Fell summit, stone wind shelter.

   Decision point

   The well-worn ridge trod and a dilapidated boundary fence will guide you across the saddle; the large stone wind shelter on Blake Fell is easy to spot and marks the true summit.

   Easy to get wrong

   This broad, western-facing ridge offers little shelter from weather blowing in off the Solway Firth. In thick mist, the vast, rounded top of Blake Fell makes it easy to lose your bearings on the final approach.

   If you need to get off

   Do not attempt to bail blindly to the west into the dense, disorienting forestry plantations; if conditions are unmanageable, immediately retreat north back over Burnbank Fell to access your ascent route.

6. 6

   Blake Fell → Gavel Fell (1.5 km, 67 m)

   Descent of about 115 m, then a climb of about 67 m, over 1.5 km.

   Descend south-east off the steep, rocky dome of Blake Fell, dropping into the deep, often boggy depression of Fothergill Head. From the col, ascend the steady, grassy slope on a footway OSM maps to reach the flat summit of Gavel Fell.

   Waypoints

   Blake Fell descent, Fothergill Head (col), Gavel Fell summit.

   Decision point

   An old wire fence guides you down into the col and up the opposite bank to Gavel Fell, a handrail through the featureless bogs.

   Easy to get wrong

   Fothergill Head is a wet spot that holds deep peat bogs and standing water; route-picking is essential to avoid sinking over your boots. The descent off Blake Fell is also unexpectedly steep and stony compared to the surrounding grassy ridges.

   If you need to get off

   The route's own descent to Highnook Beck (stage 7) leaves from this col, after the out-and-back to Gavel Fell; no other way down from Fothergill Head has been checked for this guide.

7. Gavel Fell → Finish (3.9 km, 35 m)

   Descent of about 398 m over 3.9 km.

   Return north off the summit of Gavel Fell the way you came, back down to the col, then take the path that leaves it north-east, gently at first and then steeply down the grassy flanks, to enter the deeply cut valley of Highnook Beck. Follow the increasingly distinct path alongside the watercourse, eventually meeting the solid farm tracks at High Nook Farm that lead you back out to the Loweswater valley road and your starting point.

   Waypoints

   the col below Gavel Fell, Highnook Beck ravine, High Nook Farm, Loweswater finish.

   Decision point

   The path runs alongside Highnook Beck down to the farm tracks at High Nook Farm (see Directions).

   Easy to get wrong

   The descent from the col into the valley is steep and punishing on tired knees; OSM maps a path down it. As you drop into the valley, summer bracken can choke the narrow path beside the beck, hiding slippery, eroded drops down to the water.

   If you need to get off

   This final stage is the way down: the descent into the Highnook Beck valley leads back to the Loweswater valley road.