Route: Mellbreak
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 15th August 2015
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.3 miles
Weather: Clouds and bright patches, some light rain at start
We parked in the small parking space by Church Bridge, just beyond the Kirkstile Inn, and walked towards Mellbreak along the lane. Seen from here, the fell looks like a pyramid and the north face appears quite formidable. This was to be the 11th time we’ve climbed Mellbreak, and we’ve always followed the same route – from north to south (so as to keep the best views in front) and then back along the shore of Crummock Water
After leaving the lane and climbing up the initial grassy slopes, we came to the scree section and from this point onwards the going was very steep and laborious but there were no real difficulties
We emerged panting at the north top and then made the easy but very squelchy walk to the south top ¾ mile away. The views from there were superb
We descended in the direction of Scale Force and as we neared the shore of Crummock Water we had a chance encounter with some fellow walkers – an amazing coincidence, about which more later
After walking along the shore of the lake, with Mellbreak towering above us, we walked past Highpark and Lowpark and thanks to some good planning were able to celebrate the end of a great walk at the famous Kirkstile Inn
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Nuthatch in the garden before we set off this morning…
and a red squirrel
Mellbreak from Lorton Vale - the north top, the dip in the middle and the south top at the far end
After a 5 minute drive we park by Church Bridge - this is looking back to the Kirkstile Inn
We set off down the lane towards Mellbreak - its ridge and south top are out of sight
The north face of Mellbreak - not quite the north face of the Eiger, but it looks quite steep seen from here
Beyond Kirkgate Farm the lane turns into a stony track
Crummock Water comes into view
Further along the track
Flass Wood at the foot of Mellbreak
We leave the track at this point to climb up a firebreak in the woods
Looking back down the nursery slopes of Mellbreak to Loweswater
The Kirkstile Inn and Loweswater Church centre picture, Low Fell beyond and sweet Lorton Vale on the right
Looking down our path, which has by now become loose scree
Grasmoor on the far side of Crummock Water
Bonnie
Heather in bloom - a lovely sight as we gained height
‘A peep around the corner’ - Crummock Water and Buttermere beyond
Looking back over the heather to Loweswater, and the Solway Firth and Scotland in the distance
Looking back down the promontory we’d just ascended
It started to rain here - but there was a bonus in the form of this rainbow
North top of Mellbreak
Lorton Vale from the north top
Looking along the flat ridge to the south top
Buttermere from the south top of Mellbreak
Fabulous views of Crummock Water and Buttermere as we start the descent - illustrating why this walk is best done north to south
Lonely Mosedale
Scale Force between the trees
We round the corner to head down to the shore of Crummock Water - notice the two walkers further along the path…
…I don’t believe it! Kath and Mark, who we’d met on a walk in Austria 5 weeks ago. Hope to see you again someday, somewhere…
We carry on down to the lakeshore
Looking back towards Fleetwith Pike
Low Ling Crag looking towards Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike and Rannerdale Knotts
Further along the lakeshore path
Looking back along the path to Rannerdale Knotts
We climb above the lake to head back to the start - here looking towards Whiteside and Grasmoor
We walk along the foot of Mellbreak
Crossing Park Bridge, we now follow the lane beside Park Beck
A sight to gladden the heart of a weary walker - the Kirkstile Inn
The pot of gold at the end of today’s rainbow
