Birketts by Loweswater
Start Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater (NT, paid)
Getting here Parking: Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater (NT, paid), 0.1 km from the start (straight line). Bus: the 77 stops at Lanthwaite Green Farm (opposite); from there it is 3.3 km and 118 m of ascent to this start. And the same back: about 25.2 km in all, with the walk. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day. Getting there ↓ · Route map ↓
Hardest part Hard distance: 18.69 km — a long day out. Hard steepness: Steepest sustained climb about 31% around the 2.1 km mark. Hard navigation: Care needed in cloud — ~30% featureless high ground. Hard – estimated from the map, not checked on the ground
Before you choose
- The Pen tops and the moor between them are only faintly pathed — expect trods that come and go rather than a continuous trail.
Conditions on this route
We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 2 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.
Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →
Daylight & turnaround
Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.
See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.
Route map
1 High Pen2 Murton Fell (Knock Murton)3 Low Pen4 Carling Knott5 Loweswater End - Carling Knott6 Blake Fell7 Sharp Knott8 Owsen Fell9 Burnbank Fell
Easy 78%Moderate 16%Hard 6%Severe
Heights on this chart and its high point are read from the track itself (a terrain model sampled along the line, or a GPS recording), so a top can differ from its listed height, usually reading lower.
Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap, with SRTM elevation data (switch layers top-right).
The elevation profile is under the map; the stage notes follow.
The walk, stage by stage
- 1
Start → High Pen (3.6 km, 348 m)
Leaving the Loweswater valley from Maggie's Bridge, the route begins on firm agricultural tracks and ancient bridleways before transitioning onto the open fell. The gradient is a manageable 10% average, serving as a steady warm-up. As you gain elevation, the terrain shifts from enclosed pastures and woodland fringes to rough fell grass and heather as you approach the modest, sprawling heights of High Pen, still on paths OSM maps.
WaypointsStart Point: Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater. Intake Wall Gates: The boundary where enclosed farmland gives way to the open fell. High Pen Summit (475 m): A subsidiary grassy bump on the western fringes of the Loweswater massif.
Decision pointHandrails: Drystone walls and fencelines separating the intake fields from the open fell serve as excellent early handrails. Keep them adjacent until you are forced onto the open moorland. Visuals: Looking back, the imposing, dark bulk of Mellbreak and Grasmoor across Loweswater lake provide perfect orientation markers.
Easy to get wrongSeasonal Hazards: The lower slopes are choked with dense bracken from July to September. This easily obscures the faint grassy trods, making the initial ascent line tricky to follow. Terrain: Nearing High Pen, the ground becomes rougher, though OSM maps a path to the top. Expect heavy tussock grass that holds standing water after rain. Do not drift too far west over the brow of High Pen early on, or you will drop into the Cogra Moss / Lamplugh catchment, committing you to a different valley system entirely.
If you need to get offRetreat: Simply retrace your steps downhill. The wide valley tracks are easy to intercept and follow back to the start.
- 2
High Pen → Murton Fell (Knock Murton) (1.8 km, 135 m)
A rugged and deeply tiring traverse. You must drop from High Pen, cross a marshy col, and then tackle the notoriously steep eastern slopes of Knock Murton. While the average gradient is only 7%, this is deceptive—the actual final pull up the flank of Knock Murton is sharply concentrated, incredibly steep, and unremitting.
WaypointsHigh Pen / Knock Murton Col: The damp depression separating the two fells. Murton Fell (Knock Murton) Summit (446 m): A remarkably sharp, triangular peak featuring an excellent three-part stone wind shelter.
Decision pointVisual Targeting: The sharp, triangular profile of Knock Murton is easy to spot dead ahead. Forest Boundary: The dark, dense edge of the Cogra Moss forestry plantation acts as a visual boundary line.
Easy to get wrongSteep Gradient: The ascent up Knock Murton is a formidable, lung-busting pull through deep heather and slick grass. Bogs: The col between the two fells is notoriously wet; expect sodden boots here even during relatively dry summer spells. Dropping west towards Felldyke puts you in the River Marron catchment. If your car is at Loweswater, this requires a very long walk around the base of the fells or an expensive taxi ride.
If you need to get offRetreat: No way down to Cogra Moss from this col has been checked for this guide; the way back is the way you came.
- 3
Murton Fell (Knock Murton) → Low Pen (1.2 km, 133 m)
A punishing "up and down" section. From Knock Murton, you must endure a steep, rapid loss of elevation into a deep saddle, immediately followed by a steep 112 m re-ascent. The terrain is rugged, transitioning from thick heather on the descent to a grassy, sprawling plateau as you arrive at Low Pen.
WaypointsKnock Murton Descent Path: A steep, often slippery trod dropping off the summit. The Saddle: The low point connecting the two peaks. Low Pen Summit (435 m): A grassy, broad top offering spectacular views directly across to Blake Fell.
Decision pointHandrails: The boundary fence of the forestry plantation is a superb handrail connecting the bottom of the saddle, guiding you toward the slopes of Low Pen.
Easy to get wrongSlippery Descent: The drop off Knock Murton is treacherous in wet conditions. The combination of steep gradient, heather, and slick grass makes slipping highly likely. Trekking poles are strongly recommended here. Physical Fatigue: The immediate loss and regaining of height on this short 1.2 km stage is mentally draining. Do not attempt to descend east into the High Nook / Holme Beck valley from this col. The ground is pathless, heavily tussocked, violently steep, and drops into craggy ravines.
If you need to get offRetreat: No way down from this saddle has been checked for this guide; the way back is the way you came.
- 4
Low Pen → Carling Knott (2.6 km, 176 m)
A longer, sweeping stage that takes you away from the minor western bumps and up toward the higher central massif of the Loweswater fells. You leave Low Pen and climb broad, grassy flanks to Carling Knott. The gradient is a forgiving 7% average, but the ground underfoot is often sodden and energy-sapping.
WaypointsLow Pen / Blake Fell Saddle: The marshy intermediate ground you must cross before turning toward Carling Knott. Carling Knott Summit (544 m): A fine summit, often featuring a small stone shelter, perched dramatically above Holme Wood.
Decision pointCompass Bearings: Crucial in clag. The broad grassy slopes are almost entirely devoid of distinct features. Visuals: The steep, plunging drop down to Loweswater lake is a firm boundary line. Do not drift too close to the edge in poor visibility.
Easy to get wrongBogs: The saddle area connecting Low Pen to the Blake Fell/Carling Knott ridge is heavily rutted and bog-prone. Exposure: As you gain height towards Carling Knott, you are heavily exposed to prevailing westerlies blowing straight off the Irish Sea. Do absolutely not bail directly down the steep eastern face (the Blakefell Screes / Carling Knott face) towards Loweswater. It is dangerously steep, craggy in places, and involves dense, pathless terrain.
If you need to get offRetreat: The way back is the way you came; no way down to Cogra Moss has been checked for this guide.
- 5
Carling Knott → Loweswater End - Carling Knott (0.5 km, 6 m)
A very brief, undulating, high-level traverse along the summit ridge of Carling Knott to its northernmost vantage point. The terrain is largely flat, grassy, and easy underfoot.
WaypointsSummit Ridge Path: A faint grassy trod running along the plateau. Loweswater End: The northern prow of the fell, offering unmatched views straight down the barrel of Loweswater.
Decision pointHandrails: The ridge crest itself. Keep the steep, dramatic drop to Loweswater on your right (east).
Easy to get wrongNavigation in Clag: The plateau is flat and featureless. In mist, it is remarkably easy to become disoriented and walk in circles without a bearing.
If you need to get offRetreat: Push on back towards the main massif. Bailing directly from Loweswater End is unsafe due to the extreme steepness of the terrain immediately below.
- 6
Loweswater End - Carling Knott → Blake Fell (1.6 km, 95 m)
Returning slightly south, you now push for the highest point of the walk. The terrain is classic western fell: wide, grassy, and expansive. The 5% average ascent is gentle, and the turf is generally much drier and springier on this higher ridge.
WaypointsThe Saddle: The broad, grassy col between Carling Knott and Blake Fell. Blake Fell Summit (573 m): A Wainwright summit and the high point of your route, crowned with an excellent wind shelter.
Decision pointVisual Targets: The large stone summit shelter on Blake Fell is obvious from a distance in clear weather.
Easy to get wrongWind Tunnels: The saddle between the two peaks acts as a natural wind funnel. False Summits: The approach to Blake Fell has a few minor rises that can trick tired legs in poor visibility.
If you need to get offRetreat: No separate way off Blake Fell has been checked for this guide; the route continues north-west over Sharp Knott towards Burnbank Fell. Do not descend east.
- 7
Blake Fell → Sharp Knott (0.5 km, 11 m)
A rapid, sharp descent off the north-western flank of Blake Fell. The 86 m drop over just 0.5 km is steep but on reasonable grass, delivering you to the minor subsidiary bump of Sharp Knott.
WaypointsBlake Fell Descent Path: A grassy and occasionally stony trod dropping off the summit. Sharp Knott (approx. 482 m): A distinct, small rocky outcrop or knoll on the ridge line.
Decision pointVisuals: Sharp Knott is clearly visible as a minor bump on the ridge line descending towards Owsen Fell.
Easy to get wrongSteep Descent: Hard on the knees and can be slick after rain.
If you need to get offRetreat: Keep strictly to the ridge line. Bailing left or right drops you into pathless, steep, and heavily tussocked terrain.
- 8
Sharp Knott → Owsen Fell (2.1 km, 36 m)
A long, gently descending traverse across broad, sweeping moorland. The terrain here can be frustratingly marshy in places as you make your way towards the quiet heights of Owsen Fell.
WaypointsBroad Moorland Saddle: The wide grassy expanse connecting the Blake Fell massif to the Owsen/Burnbank area. Owsen Fell Summit (409 m): A sprawling, quiet Birkett on the edge of the Cogra Moss catchment.
Decision pointCompass Bearings: Essential. Break this 2.1 km leg into smaller pacing blocks to avoid drifting off course if visibility is poor.
Easy to get wrongBogs & Tussocks: This section is notoriously wet. Heavy, energy-sapping tussock grass hides deep puddles, making for slow, ankle-rolling progress. Clag Navigation: The landscape is utterly featureless. In fog, you must rely entirely on a compass, as there are no walls or crags to guide you.
If you need to get offRetreat: No way down to Cogra Moss from here has been checked for this guide, and it would leave you in the wrong valley for a Loweswater start.
- 9
Owsen Fell → Burnbank Fell (1.0 km, 90 m)
A final, short, and slightly steeper pull up to your last summit of the day. The ground improves slightly as you gain elevation, with an average 9% gradient over the 1 km climb.
WaypointsOwsen / Burnbank Col: A slight dip before the final climb. Burnbank Fell Summit (475 m): Marked by a small cairn on a grassy plateau, overlooking the coast and the Loweswater valley.
Decision pointFencelines: Remnants of old wire fences running across these western fells can often be followed to near the summit.
Easy to get wrongMental Fatigue: The final climb of the day often feels harder than the numbers suggest due to the heavy bog-hopping of the previous stage.
If you need to get offRetreat: Push on directly to Burnbank Fell, which sets you up perfectly for the easy, wide track descent back to Loweswater.
Burnbank Fell → Finish (3.8 km, 51 m)
A long, steady, and generally easy descent back to your starting point. Leaving the summit, you pick up broad fell tracks (often following the line of the ancient Corpse Road) that traverse the fellside above Holme Wood. It contours gently downwards with minimal re-ascent.
WaypointsDescent Path / Corpse Road: The wide, ancient track linking the western valleys. Holme Wood Boundary: The transition from open fell back to the enclosed woodland lining the lake. Start/Finish Point: Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater.
Easy to get wrongDistance: At 3.8 km, this is a long walk-out on tired legs. Underfoot Conditions: The track above Holme Wood is heavily used and can be extremely muddy, rutted, and churned by farm vehicles and livestock, particularly near gates. Do not attempt a direct, off-path descent through Holme Wood to the lake shore. The woodland is dense, surprisingly steep, blocks line of sight, and requires fighting through undergrowth unless you are on a specifically waymarked public footpath.
If you need to get offRetreat: This entire stage is the main escape route. Stick exclusively to the wide track.
GPX track for your GPS or phone. Planned route · not yet walked
Summits bagged (9)
- 1High Pen475 m
- 2Murton Fell (Knock Murton)446 m
- 3Low Pen435 m
- 4Carling Knott544 m
- 5Loweswater End - Carling Knott519 m
- 6Blake Fell573 m
- 7Sharp Knott482 m
- 8Owsen Fell409 m
- 9Burnbank Fell475 m
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
Conditions and timing
Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.
When the sun reaches the tops
Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later.
- Blake Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:15.
- Burnbank Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:45, about a quarter of an hour later. In late September, about 07:15. It waits longest in late December — about half an hour after sunrise.
How to read these times
The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.
Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.
Getting there and back
Parking
2 more places to park near the start
Positions are approximate.
Vehicles are left at their owner’s risk: we list places people park and cannot vouch for any of them. Take valuables with you and leave nothing on show.
Buses
The 77 stops at Lanthwaite Green Farm (opposite). From there it is 3.3 km and 118 m of ascent to this start — a walk in before the walk. And the same back: about 25.2 km in all, with the walk. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day. It returns on 22 March 2027. Confirmed with the operator: its last day on 29 August 2026, its return on 16 October 2026. As timetabled from 27 October to 1 November. Towards Keswick (77): Tuesday to Sunday 18:03. Checked against the operator’s timetable, 12 September 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.
Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.
Toilets and refreshments
The essentials
- Arrival Maggie's Bridge car park (National Trust), about 55 m from the start. Paid; free for National Trust members. 55 m in a straight line, not a walking distance. (National Trust, coast and countryside car parks, checked 11 August 2026)
- Toilets No toilets are mapped within 250 m of the start. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
- Refreshments No café or pub is mapped within 250 m of the start: bring what you need. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
- Limitation Nine tops in 18.7 km, hard for length, steepness and navigation alike. The Pen tops and the moor between them are only faintly pathed: expect trods that come and go. (our route notes (this route's own warnings), checked 2 October 2026)
No mapped drinking water or shelter on this route — that doesn’t mean there is none, and never drink untreated from a beck. (Facilities data © OpenStreetMap contributors.)
Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat
Planning detail
How each grade on this page is set, and the timings stage by stage.
Difficulty profile
Hard overall — hardest: Length, steepness and navigation (estimated from the map, not checked on the ground); terrain not assessed; exposure not assessed on the ground
Five independent axes, not one score. None of them was set on the ground: they are computed from the recorded track and the map, which measures the line rather than surveying the ground.
How we grade: each axis is Easy, Moderate, Hard or Severe, and a route between two bands takes the higher one. Length: under 8 km, 8–14 km, 14–20 km, over 20 km. Steepness, the steepest 500 m of the track: under 15%, 15–25%, 25–35%, over 35%. Terrain, navigation and exposure are judged rather than measured, and each note says why. How we grade.
Pacing
| Summit | Cumulative | Ascent | Time (fast–steady) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1High Pen | 3.6 km | 348 m | 1:18–1:44 |
| 2Murton Fell (Knock Murton) | 5.4 km | 484 m | 1:53–2:30 |
| 3Low Pen | 6.6 km | 617 m | 2:21–3:07 |
| 4Carling Knott | 9.2 km | 792 m | 3:10–4:12 |
| 5Loweswater End - Carling Knott | 9.7 km | 798 m | 3:16–4:21 |
| 6Blake Fell | 11.2 km | 894 m | 3:44–4:58 |
| 7Sharp Knott | 11.8 km | 905 m | 3:52–5:09 |
| 8Owsen Fell | 13.9 km | 941 m | 4:20–5:46 |
| 9Burnbank Fell | 14.9 km | 1031 m | 4:42–6:14 |
| Finish | 18.7 km | 1082 m | 5:32–7:22 |
A fast–steady range from Naismith’s rule, deliberately on the slow side. Breaks, weather, rough ground and the slowest person in your party all add to it. How we time walks.
Access & barriers
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route?
- Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
- Knees: A long, steep ~33% drop over 250 m around the 5.5 km mark — hard on the knees.
With a dog
Hardest for a dog here: stiles and gates. The steepest stretch is a sustained climb of about 31% around the 2.1 km mark.
- Stiles and gates: Stiles of unmapped type at 3.0, 5.2, 7.6, 11.2 and 12.6 km — a dog may need lifting over. (OpenStreetMap, mapped as of 26 July 2026)
- Drops and exposed ground: Not assessed on the ground; the map suggests Moderate. Graded from slope only (~33% max); treat exposure as unverified.
- Rock and scrambling: Ground underfoot: Not assessed.
- Ways off early: None recorded for this route.
- Livestock, shade and water: Not recorded for this route yet. We never call a stream safe for a dog to drink, so carry enough for both of you. The lead rules, and what to do around cattle, are on dogs on the fells.
On the line: 14 gates · 1 kissing gate · 6 stiles (type unmapped)
Barriers as mapped on OpenStreetMap, which can miss some. Spotted one? Tell us (opens in new tab). Barrier data as of 26 July 2026. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).
Places to stay near this start
- Crummockwater Cottages (opens in new tab) guest houseabout 0.9 km
We have not stayed at any of them. We take no bookings or affiliate fees. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).
Walks from places nearby
- Walks from Scale Force — 4.3 km from this start
Straight-line distance from this walk’s start. Those lists hold the routes we have mapped and every Wainwright and Outlying fell within about 5 km of the town, ranked nearest first.