Birketts by Carrock Fell

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Carrock Fell (2.8 km, 440 m)

   Climb of about 440 m over 2.8 km (around 16% average).

   Ascend from the valley floor, climbing north-west, as the track does, up the steep, boulder-strewn south-eastern slopes of Carrock Fell, picking your way through the collapsed stone walls of the ancient Iron Age hill fort to reach the rocky summit plateau.

   Waypoints

   Mosedale (vicinity), Carrock Fell hill fort, Carrock Fell summit (662 m).

   Decision point

   The massive jumble of rocks forming the ancient hill fort acts as an unavoidable ring around the summit plateau. Once through the stones, aim for the large summit cairn that sits slightly west of the eastern edge.

   Easy to get wrong

   Carrock Fell's ascent is infamous for its loose, awkward boulder fields and scree. The gabbro rock here is uncharacteristically rough for the Lakes, requiring tedious rock-hopping that threatens ankles and becomes exceptionally slippery when wet or icy.

   If you need to get off

   The usual descent is to carefully retrace your steps through the rocks back to the valley road. Do not attempt to drop blindly down the steep northern crags into the Carrock Beck ravine.

2. 2

   Carrock Fell → Round Knott (0.8 km, 7 m)

   Descent of about 61 m over 0.8 km.

   Leave the rocky summit of Carrock Fell and head west, transitioning rapidly from boulder fields to the sweeping, grassy moorland that characterizes the Back o' Skiddaw. Descend gently into a shallow depression before stepping up to the minor, rocky protrusion of Round Knott.

   Waypoints

   Carrock Fell western plateau, Round Knott summit.

   Decision point

   Round Knott is one of the few distinct rocky features breaking through the grass in this area, making it an excellent visual catching feature directly ahead as you traverse west.

   Easy to get wrong

   The terrain shifts abruptly to thick tussock grass and hidden, waterlogged sphagnum moss. The paths here are faint, heavily braided sheep trods, and the wet ground demands constant zig-zagging to keep boots dry.

   If you need to get off

   If needed, retreat to Carrock Fell and descend the ascent route. Escaping south into the steep, trackless Mosedale valley from here involves difficult, bracken-choked slopes.

3. 3

   Round Knott → Miton Hill (0.7 km, 15 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.7 km.

   Continue the westward march across the desolate, rolling moorland, navigating a slightly undulating expanse of heather and Molinia grass, on a path OSM maps along this stretch (on the ground it may be faint), to reach the incredibly subtle, unmarked grassy swelling of Miton Hill.

   Waypoints

   Round Knott descent, Miton Hill summit.

   Decision point

   Strictly rely on a westerly compass bearing if visibility drops. You can occasionally use the deep trench of the Grainsgill Beck valley to your left (south) as a broad, distant handrail to prevent drifting too far off course.

   Easy to get wrong

   Miton Hill is an utterly featureless bump in a sea of identical terrain. Navigation in thick hill fog is perilous here, as there are no distinct crags, tarns, or intersecting paths to confirm your exact location amidst the deep peat hags.

   If you need to get off

   No escape from here has been checked for this guide; the way back is the way you came, east to Carrock Fell and down the ascent route.

4. 4

   Miton Hill → Hare Stones (1.6 km, 49 m)

   Undulating section of about 1.6 km.

   Maintain your westerly trajectory, crossing the notoriously saturated, boggy saddle at the head of the Caldew valley before making a very slight, draggy pull up the spongy slopes to the minor rise of Hare Stones.

   Waypoints

   River Caldew headwaters, Hare Stones summit.

   Decision point

   In clear weather, the massive, dome-like bulk of High Pike to the north and Knott to the west will keep you oriented. In clag, precise map reading and pacing are essential to traverse the bogs without walking in circles.

   Easy to get wrong

   This section crosses some of the most frustratingly wet ground in the northern fells. The area is heavily scarred with deep peat groughs and hidden drainage channels that require physical exertion to jump over or climb out of, sapping energy fast.

   If you need to get off

   No line north to the Cumbria Way path has been checked for this guide as an escape; the way back is the way you came.

5. 5

   Hare Stones → Great Lingy Hill (0.7 km, 11 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.7 km.

   Trek across the relatively flat, featureless moorland, picking a careful line through the heather and peat to reach Great Lingy Hill, with Lingy Hut, a bothy, about 430 m south-south-east of the summit and off the line.

   Waypoints

   Great Lingy Hill summit; Lingy Hut (bothy) is a detour off the line, about 0.85 km there and back.

   Decision point

   Lingy Hut, a small bothy, is the only building on this part of the moor and a useful landmark in clear weather; it is easy to miss against the horizon.

   Easy to get wrong

   The exposure to biting northern winds is extreme here, with absolutely no natural shelter on the plateau. The ground remains unrelentingly wet, and finding the bothy in a whiteout requires dead-reckoning navigation.

   If you need to get off

   Lingy Hut, off the line about 430 m from the summit, is a basic shelter; space is not guaranteed. No way down from the hut has been checked for this guide as an escape.

6. 6

   Great Lingy Hill → Miller Moss (Little Lingy Hill) (0.7 km, 13 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.7 km.

   Leave Great Lingy Hill and head west into the vast, waterlogged depression of Miller Moss, navigating the deep sphagnum and meandering streams before crossing the slight, spongy rise of Little Lingy Hill.

   Waypoints

   Miller Moss bog, Little Lingy Hill.

   Decision point

   Avoid the lowest ground where the water pools, linking the slightly higher, drier heathery hummocks. Keep the towering, grassy dome of Knott dead ahead as your primary visual target.

   Easy to get wrong

   Miller Moss is a notoriously wet expanse that lives up to its name; OSM maps a path across it, though on the ground it may be faint. You will be forced to take wide, zig-zagging detours to avoid sinking knee-deep into the black peat and reeds, making the 0.7 km feel significantly longer.

   If you need to get off

   Retreating to Lingy Hut is an option if the bogs prove impassable or weather deteriorates, as attempting to push blindly south into the steep River Caldew ravine is highly dangerous.

7. 7

   Miller Moss (Little Lingy Hill) → Knott (1.7 km, 134 m)

   Climb of about 134 m over 1.7 km (around 8% average).

   Grind out the long, steady pull up the sprawling eastern flanks of Knott. The terrain finally begins to dry out slightly as you gain elevation, transitioning from deep bog to short, wind-blasted turf that leads to the subtle summit cairn resting on the massive, domed plateau.

   Waypoints

   Knott eastern flanks, Knott summit (710m).

   Decision point

   Faint quad bike tracks occasionally crisscross this slope, but they are unreliable. Rely on a south-westerly compass bearing for most of the stage, as the track runs, and the persistent upward gradient to funnel you towards the high point.

   Easy to get wrong

   Knott is arguably the most featureless major summit in the Lake District. The climb is a slow, relentless leg-burner over tussocks, and the sheer vastness of the grassy summit dome makes disorientation in thick fog almost a guarantee.

   If you need to get off

   The usual bailout is to reverse your bearing and head back east to Lingy Hut. Dropping west or south off Knott commits you to incredibly remote, trackless valleys miles from your likely starting point.

8. 8

   Knott → Coomb Height (1.6 km, 0 m)

   Descent of about 84 m over 1.6 km.

   Turn south-east from Knott's summit, embarking on a long, gentle descent over the sweeping, grassy ridge line that slowly narrows into the distinct, elongated spur of Coomb Height.

   Waypoints

   Knott southern plateau, Coomb Height ridge.

   Decision point

   Use the deep, obvious trench of the upper River Caldew as a broad directional handrail. The ridge of Coomb Height naturally funnels you along its spine as the terrain drops away on either side.

   Easy to get wrong

   The turf here is remarkably short and easy to walk on, but the ridge is fully exposed to the elements. The primary hazard remains navigation; drifting too far east or west will lead you into the steep, trackless gullies of the Caldew or Dash beck catchments.

   If you need to get off

   Maintaining your trajectory along the ridge line is the better course of action, as it naturally deposits you onto the established valley tracks below.

9. Coomb Height → Finish (4.9 km, 31 m)

   Descent of about 404 m over 4.9 km.

   Plunge off the steeper southern end of Coomb Height, picking up faint sheep trods through the rough grass until you intersect the main Cumbria Way valley track. Turn east and follow this hard, stony artery on a long, sweeping, low-level march along the valley floor to complete the circuit.

   Waypoints

   Coomb Height descent, Cumbria Way track, River Caldew valley floor, finish.

   Decision point

   Once you hit the valley floor, the Cumbria Way track and the River Caldew provide a massive, clear linear handrail. Follow the track east along the valley to the finish.

   Easy to get wrong

   The initial descent off Coomb Height is tussock-heavy and can be slick in wet weather, taxing tired knees. The subsequent 4.9 km valley walk-out is mentally and physically draining; the stony farm tracks feel incredibly harsh on feet that have spent the day walking on soft peat.

   If you need to get off

   You are on the final escape route. Stick strictly to the main valley track and avoid the temptation to cut corners through enclosed pastures or cross the river away from established bridges.