18.69 km · ~995 m ascent · ~5–7 h · loop · 9 summits
Five independent axes, not one score. “Desk” ratings come from maps and guidebooks, not yet walked — treat them as a guide, not a survey.
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 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.
Why this matters: 78% of Mountain Rescue call-outs come after midday — the day runs out on the way home, not on the way up. See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.
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 75%Moderate 14%Hard 11%Severe
Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).
This walk covers about 18.69 km with around 995 m of ascent, taking in 9 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.
On the line: 18 gates · 1 kissing gate · 6 stiles (type unmapped)
These are mapped barriers, from OpenStreetMap — coverage in the Lakes is good but not guaranteed complete. Spotted a stile or gate we’ve missed? Tell us (opens in new tab) and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-07-26. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).
| Summit | Cumulative | Ascent | Time (fast–steady) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1High Pen | 3.6 km | 345 m | 1:18–1:43 |
| 2Murton Fell (Knock Murton) | 5.4 km | 477 m | 1:52–2:29 |
| 3Low Pen | 6.6 km | 589 m | 2:18–3:04 |
| 4Carling Knott | 9.2 km | 762 m | 3:07–4:08 |
| 5Loweswater End - Carling Knott | 9.7 km | 762 m | 3:12–4:16 |
| 6Blake Fell | 11.2 km | 841 m | 3:39–4:51 |
| 7Sharp Knott | 11.8 km | 841 m | 3:46–5:00 |
| 8Owsen Fell | 13.9 km | 856 m | 4:12–5:35 |
| 9Burnbank Fell | 14.9 km | 942 m | 4:33–6:03 |
| Finish | 18.7 km | 995 m | 5:24–7:11 |
Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.
Leaving the Loweswater valley (typically from the Maggie's Bridge or Fangs Brow area), 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, pathless fell grass and heather as you approach the modest, sprawling heights of High Pen
Start Point: Loweswater Valley (Maggie's Bridge or Fangs Brow parking). Intake Wall Gates: The boundary where enclosed farmland gives way to the open fell. High Pen Summit (373 m): A subsidiary grassy bump on the western fringes of the Loweswater massif
Handrails: 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
Seasonal 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 increasingly pathless. Expect heavy tussock grass that holds standing water after rain
Retreat: Simply retrace your steps downhill. The wide valley tracks are easy to intercept and follow back to the start. Trap: 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
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
High Pen / Knock Murton Col: The damp depression separating the two fells. Murton Fell (Knock Murton) Summit (447 m): A remarkably sharp, triangular peak featuring an excellent three-part stone wind shelter
Visual Targeting: The sharp, triangular profile of Knock Murton is unmistakable dead ahead. Forest Boundary: The dark, dense edge of the Cogra Moss forestry plantation to your right (west) acts as a visual boundary line
Steep 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
Retreat: Drop west off the col down towards the Cogra Moss forestry tracks, which lead out to Felldyke. Trap: Bailing to Felldyke is a safe escape off the mountain, but it 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
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
Knock Murton Descent Path: A steep, often slippery trod dropping off the summit. The Saddle: The low point connecting the two peaks. Low Pen Summit (431 m): A grassy, broad top offering spectacular views directly across to Blake Fell
Handrails: 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
Slippery 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
Retreat: From the saddle, descend west via the forestry tracks to Cogra Moss. Trap: 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
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
Low 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
Compass Bearings: Crucial in clag. The broad grassy slopes are almost entirely devoid of distinct features. Visuals: The steep, plunging drop to your left (east) down to Loweswater lake is a firm boundary line. Do not drift too close to the edge in poor visibility
Bogs: 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
Retreat: The safest escape is retracing your steps to the previous col and dropping safely to Cogra Moss. Trap: 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
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
Summit 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
Handrails: The ridge crest itself. Keep the steep, dramatic drop to Loweswater on your right (east)
Navigation in Clag: The plateau is flat and featureless. In mist, it is remarkably easy to become disoriented and walk in circles without a bearing
Retreat: Push on back towards the main massif. Bailing directly from Loweswater End is unsafe due to the extreme steepness of the terrain immediately below
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
The 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
Visual Targets: The large stone summit shelter on Blake Fell is obvious from a distance in clear weather
Wind 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
Retreat: The easiest bail is to continue south/west off Blake Fell towards the Fangs Brow / Burnbank tracks. Do not descend east
A rapid, sharp descent off the south-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
Blake Fell Descent Path: A grassy and occasionally stony trod dropping off the summit. Sharp Knott (approx. 487 m): A distinct, small rocky outcrop or knoll on the ridge line
Visuals: Sharp Knott is clearly visible as a minor bump on the ridge line descending towards Owsen Fell
Steep Descent: Hard on the knees and can be slick after rain
Retreat: Keep strictly to the ridge line. Bailing left or right drops you into pathless, steep, and heavily tussocked terrain
A long, gently descending traverse across broad, sweeping moorland. The terrain here can be frustratingly marshy and pathless in places as you make your way towards the quiet heights of Owsen Fell
Broad 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
Compass Bearings: Essential. Break this 2.1 km leg into smaller pacing blocks to avoid drifting off course if visibility is poor
Bogs & 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
Retreat: Dropping west leads down to Cogra Moss and the Felldyke road. (Again, this deposits you in the wrong valley for a Loweswater start, but it is physically safe)
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
Owsen / 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
Fencelines: Remnants of old wire fences running across these western fells can often be followed to near the summit
Mental Fatigue: The final climb of the day often feels harder than the numbers suggest due to the heavy bog-hopping of the previous stage
Retreat: Push on directly to Burnbank Fell, which sets you up perfectly for the easy, wide track descent back to Loweswater
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
Descent 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: The Loweswater lanes (Maggie's Bridge or Fangs Brow)
Handrails: The upper boundary of Holme Wood (the large forest on the shores of Loweswater) is a perfect handrail. Keep the trees strictly on your right (if heading to Maggie's Bridge) or left (if heading to Fangs Brow) depending on your exact parking spot
Distance: 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
Retreat: This entire stage is the main escape route. Stick exclusively to the wide track. Trap: 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
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.
Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.
Every option near this start, on the parking map →
💧 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.)
The 77 stops at Lanthwaite Green Farm (opp). From there it is 3.3 km and 118 m of ascent to this start — a walk in before the walk. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day, and it is not daily before then — a bus on 31 of the 56 days from 7 September. We don’t know when it returns. Confirmed with the operator, 29 August 2026. The last bus is 18:03 towards Keswick (77), every day. 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.
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. 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.
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.
Short version: turn back at about 9.7 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.
about 0.9 km from the start, in a straight line
Foulsyke was a 16th-century manor house; the three cottages are its former barn and stables, and you reach the courtyard through an arched carriage entrance dated 1797.
What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).