Swineside Knott & Gowbarrow

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Brown Hills (3.6 km, 395 m)

   Climb of about 395 m over 3.6 km (around 11% average).

   Starting near the shores of Ullswater at the Aira Force car park, this route begins with a long, steady approach up the fellside. About 0.2 km from the start it joins the A5091 (Park Brow), which has no pavement, and follows the road itself uphill for about 0.7 km, from about 160 m to 220 m, before a stile on the left leads onto a public footpath. Where there is no pavement, keep to the right to face oncoming traffic, stay close to the side and be ready to walk in single file; before a sharp right-hand bend, cross to the other side and cross back after it. Wear something bright, or reflective in poor light (Highway Code rules 2 and 3). The path climbs out of the valley through a mix of woodland fringes and open grazing land, offering spectacular, expanding views of the lake behind you. As you round the flanks above Glencoyne Park, the gradient sustains an 11% average, pulling you up onto the grassy, undulating spur of Brown Hills on the eastern reaches of the Stybarrow Dodd ridge.

   Waypoints

   Aira Force car park (approx. 150m): The valley-bottom starting area. Glencoyne Park Boundaries: The intake walls separating the valley from the open fell. Brown Hills: A minor grassy prominence serving as the gateway to the high common.

   Decision point

   Ullswater: The lake provides a massive visual handrail directly behind you. Glencoyne Valley: Keep the deep, steep-sided trench of the Glencoyne valley to your left (south) as you ascend the ridge.

   Easy to get wrong

   Saturated Ground: The lower approaches out of the valley are notorious for holding water and can be deeply muddy after rain. Endurance: The 3.6 km initial pull is a long slog that requires steady pacing before you hit the high ridge. Wind Exposure: As you clear the valley and step onto Brown Hills, you lose the shelter of the trees and take the full force of any weather rolling off the Helvellyn range.

   If you need to get off

   The way back is the way you came. Do not drop blindly into the steep, craggy sides of the Glencoyne valley to your south.

2. 2

   Brown Hills → Swineside Knott (0.3 km, 4 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.3 km.

   A very brief, almost flat ridge traverse. From Brown Hills, the route heads north-east across the broad, grassy expanse of Watermillock Common. The path here is faint, weaving through short grass and minor peat hags to reach Swineside Knott, which acts as the high point of this immediate section.

   Waypoints

   Brown Hills: The starting point of the ridge traverse. Swineside Knott (553m): The highest point on Watermillock Common, marked by a small pile of stones, offering a sumptuous view down the entire length of Ullswater.

   Decision point

   Line of Sight: Swineside Knott is visible ahead as a rounded grassy mound with a few protruding rocks on its eastern side.

   Easy to get wrong

   Faint Paths: There is no heavily engineered path here. You are following intermittent sheep trods and relying on your own line of sight.

   If you need to get off

   Given the short 300-meter distance, the best bail option is to return to Brown Hills and descend your ascent route.

3. 3

   Swineside Knott → Common Fell (1.0 km, 10 m)

   Undulating section of about 1.0 km.

   Leaving Swineside Knott, the route continues north-east across the wide, undulating plateau of Watermillock Common towards Common Fell. This section is notoriously boggy. The route shadows a drystone wall for part of the way before breaking off across pathless, saturated ground to reach the summit mounds.

   Waypoints

   Watermillock Common: The sprawling, wet saddle between the peaks. Common Fell (552m): A series of rounded grassy mounds. The true summit is marked by a small cairn. The Glacial Erratic: A prominent, massive boulder sitting on one of the subsidiary mounds of Common Fell, looking entirely out of place in the grassy landscape.

   Decision point

   Drystone Wall: A boundary wall runs along the flanks of the common here. In poor visibility it can serve as a handrail for your north-easterly line.

   Easy to get wrong

   The Bogs: This section is famously "juicy". Expect deep, boot-sucking peat and standing water, even in the height of summer. Clag Disorientation: Watermillock Common is a wide, featureless void in the mist. It is incredibly easy to lose your bearing among the multiple identical grassy hummocks.

   If you need to get off

   No escape from this stage has been checked for this guide; the route's own line goes on north-east to Dockray. Do not drop east down the pathless, bracken-choked slopes directly toward the lake.

4. 4

   Common Fell → Gowbarrow Fell (Wainwright summit) (4.3 km, 234 m)

   Descent of about 302 m, then a climb of about 234 m, over 4.3 km.

   From Common Fell, the route drops steadily north-east, losing altitude rapidly to reach the village of Dockray in the valley bottom. At Dockray the route follows the A5091 (Park Brow), which has no pavement, for about 0.65 km, then leaves it through a gate on the left and crosses Aira Beck before beginning the 234m ascent of Gowbarrow Fell. Where there is no pavement, keep to the right to face oncoming traffic, stay close to the side and be ready to walk in single file; before a sharp right-hand bend, cross to the other side and cross back after it. Wear something bright, or reflective in poor light (Highway Code rules 2 and 3). The climb up Gowbarrow's western flank weaves through bracken and heather before tackling the rocky outcrops surrounding the summit of Airy Crag.

   Waypoints

   Dockray / A5091 Road (approx. 290m): Where the route follows the road for about 0.65 km, around halfway. Aira Beck: The water crossing before the second major ascent. Gowbarrow Fell / Airy Crag (481m): The Wainwright summit, a rugged, rocky tor rising out of the heather, marked by a trig pillar.

   Decision point

   The Road and Beck: The A5091 and Aira Beck act as distinctive linear boundaries. Airy Crag: The summit rock tor is obvious from the lower slopes of Gowbarrow and serves as a direct visual target.

   Easy to get wrong

   Fatigue: Dropping all the way to the valley floor only to climb 234m back up Gowbarrow is mentally and physically taxing. Summer Bracken: The lower slopes of Gowbarrow are smothered in head-high bracken in the summer, which can completely mask the path and hide loose rocks. Summit Scramble: The final approach to Airy Crag requires navigating over some minor, uneven rocky steps.

   If you need to get off

   Dockray: No road walk from Dockray back to the start has been checked for this guide as an escape.

5. Gowbarrow Fell (Wainwright summit) → Finish (4.0 km, 14 m)

   Descent of about 308 m over 4.0 km.

   From Airy Crag, the route descends north-east, then swings south-east and south, dropping onto the famous Gowbarrow Terrace. This engineered balcony path contours the fellside, offering what is arguably the most photographed, uninterrupted view of Ullswater. The path weaves gently down through the intake walls, eventually dropping into the ancient, atmospheric woodlands surrounding Aira Force, before returning to the start point.

   Waypoints

   Gowbarrow Terrace: The stunning balcony path traversing the southern face of the fell. Memorial Seat (Yew Crag): A prominent viewpoint on the terrace path. Aira Force Woodlands: The transition from open fell to enclosed, historic woodland.

   Decision point

   Ullswater: On the terrace path, the immense expanse of the lake is a handrail. Engineered Paths: Once on the terrace and in the woods, the paths are clear and heavily signposted.

   Easy to get wrong

   Steep Drops: The edge of the terrace path drops away precipitously toward the lake. Dogs must be kept on leads, and care should be taken in high winds. Slippery Woods: The paths through the Aira Force woodlands are a maze of polished rock steps and exposed tree roots that become dangerously slick when wet. High Traffic: Expect to encounter large crowds of tourists and families once you hit the terrace and the waterfalls.

   If you need to get off

   Follow the route's own line back to the start.