Swarth Fell and Loadpot Hill

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Swarth Fell (Ullswater) (2.9 km, 384 m)

   Descent of about 72 m, then a climb of about 384 m, over 2.9 km.

   Starting from St Peter's Church at the Hause, above Howtown, head straight onto the fellside and tackle the steep, grassy western flanks. Climb steadily away from the valley enclosures, bearing generally east-north-east, then south-east to break out onto the broad, open summit area of Swarth Fell.

   Waypoints

   Valley start (Howtown/Martindale), lower fell enclosures, Swarth Fell summit.

   Decision point

   Keep the expanse of Ullswater to your right (west/north-west) as a massive, clear visual handrail during the ascent.

   Easy to get wrong

   A stiff 13% average climb straight out of the gate to get the heart rate up. The terrain here is predominantly steep grass and thick bracken on the lower slopes, which holds a massive amount of water and can become a heavy, slippery slog after typical Lake District rain.

   If you need to get off

   Turn around and retrace your steps directly down the grassy slopes back to the valley road.

   

   

2. 2

   Swarth Fell (Ullswater) → Loadpot Hill (1.5 km, 136 m)

   Climb of about 136 m over 1.5 km (around 9% average).

   Continue south-west along the broad, rolling moorland. The path gains altitude steadily, eventually intersecting the course of the ancient Roman Road before arriving at the subtle, plateau-like summit of Loadpot Hill.

   Waypoints

   Swarth Fell, Roman Road intersection, Loadpot Hill summit (672 m).

   Decision point

   You will eventually intersect the wide, rutted track of the High Street Roman Road. At the summit, the stone trig pillar and the nearby ruined stone chimney are clear markers.

   Easy to get wrong

   Mechanically, this is an easy 9% climb, but the ground underfoot is notoriously wet. It is characterized by peat hags and deep, hidden bogs that require constant weaving and energy-sapping detours. In thick clag, this sweeping, featureless plateau is highly disorienting.

   If you need to get off

   Retreat north-east back down to Swarth Fell and descend your ascent route. Do not drop blindly into the deep, steep-sided ravines of Fusedale to the west.

   

3. 3

   Loadpot Hill → Brownthwaite Crag (3.0 km, 28 m)

   Descent of about 232 m over 3.0 km.

   Leave Loadpot Hill and bear south, descending the long, sweeping grassy spine that forms the eastern wall of Fusedale. The route then turns west to cross the head of the valley before rising on the far side to the subtle rocky outcrop of Brownthwaite Crag.

   Waypoints

   Loadpot Hill, descending grassy ridge, Brownthwaite Crag.

   Decision point

   In clear weather, the jagged, distinctive profile of Steel Knotts ahead serves as a perfect visual target. Keep the deep trench of the Fusedale valley to your right (west) on the descent, until the route turns to cross it.

   Easy to get wrong

   A massive 3.0 km grassy descent. The lack of defined, heavily trodden paths in some sections means you are navigating by the lie of the land. The grass can be slick, and deep bogs remain a constant threat on the upper reaches of the descent.

   If you need to get off

   No way down into Fusedale from here has been checked for this guide; if the weather turns, judge going on or going back from where you are.

   

4. 4

   Brownthwaite Crag → Steel Knotts (Pikeawassa - Steel Knotts) (0.9 km, 50 m)

   Descent of about 67 m, then a climb of about 50 m, over 0.9 km.

   Drop slightly into the grassy saddle separating the higher fells from the Steel Knotts ridge, then tackle the sharp, rocky incline leading up to the prominent, craggy peak of Pikeawassa.

   Waypoints

   Brownthwaite Crag, connecting saddle, Pikeawassa (Steel Knotts summit - 432 m).

   Decision point

   The ridge is sharply defined here. Pikeawassa juts out aggressively from the surrounding grassy fells like a shark's fin and is easy to pick out.

   Easy to get wrong

   A highly enjoyable transition where the terrain shifts dramatically from sodden, undulating grass to sharp, grippy rock. The final short climb to the top of Pikeawassa is steep and requires some very minor, easy scrambling over rocky steps.

   If you need to get off

   No way off the saddle before Steel Knotts has been checked for this guide.

   

5. Steel Knotts (Pikeawassa - Steel Knotts) → Finish (1.3 km, 2 m)

   Descent of about 197 m over 1.3 km.

   Continue north along the sharp spine of Steel Knotts, descending steeply through rocky outcrops and lower vegetation, dropping steadily down the nose of the fell back to the valley road near the church.

   Waypoints

   Pikeawassa, Steel Knotts northern ridge, valley floor / church, Finish.

   Decision point

   The ridge line naturally funnels you downward to the valley bottom. The road and buildings at the base of the fell are clear, unavoidable visual catches.

   Easy to get wrong

   A sharp, steep descent on a narrow path. In late summer, dense bracken can entirely swallow the lower sections of this path, hiding trip hazards, loose rocks, and slippery roots. The ground is steep enough to demand full concentration all the way to the tarmac. The 3 m of ascent is negligible and found on the final walk out.

   If you need to get off

   You are on the final exit route. Maintain downward progress along the crest; avoid cutting steeply off the sides of the ridge as the flanks can be surprisingly craggy and treacherous.