Route: Loweswater
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 2nd January 2015
Walkers: Andrew Gilly David and Rob
Distance: 5.6 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Weather: Some bright spells, very cold and windy higher up
This is one of our favourite local walks and a good choice for my first walk of 2015 – there’s a lot of varied scenery packed into a short distance, and all of it is beautiful
We parked as usual at Maggie’s Bridge and walked along the track through High Nook Farm. Beyond the farm the terraced path gains height and passes above Holme Wood, with wonderful views of Lorton Vale. There was a very strong and cold wind blowing up there, which is why we hadn’t chosen a fell walk today – the higher fells would have been difficult, and possibly quite dangerous in these conditions
After reaching the end of the lake, the path heads away from the fells towards gentler rolling countryside, before turning back at the half way point towards Loweswater
We walked through Holme Wood along the side of the lake and then across fields back to Maggie’s Bridge
What a great walk this is, it never fails to please
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
Some wildlife in the garden before we set off this morning - a Goldfinch……
Yellowhammer
Siskin
Robin
Red squirrel
On with the walk - the car park at Maggie’s Bridge
We cross the bridge in the direction of High Nook Farm, where Wainwright stayed when he was researching the fells in this area
David and Rob on the track to the farm
Shortly after passing through the farmyard, a view back to Lorton Vale, with Low Fell on the left and Whiteside on the right
We turn sharp right at the head of the valley to follow a path uphill along the flanks of Carling Knott
Another view back to Low Fell
Footbridge over Highnook Beck
Whiteside, and a glimpse of Grasmoor
Low Fell
Holme Wood ahead as we gain height
Sweet Lorton Vale
Mellbreak
Looking back to Highnook Tarn
Loweswater below as we follow the terraced path around the fellside
We had a very pleasant chat with the couple in the distance, who follow this site and recognised me - fame at last!
Loweswater, with Whiteside and Grasmoor beyond
A well placed bench
Holme Wood below, with Loweswater and Darling Fell beyond
More retrospective views from this wonderful elevated path……
Start of the return leg of the walk
Walking down to Loweswater
We follow a path along the lakeside
Entering Holme Wood
Bonnie negotiates the steps up the wall
Holme Wood
The bothy, available to rent from the National Trust
Darling Fell
Darling Fell and Low Fell
Grasmoor
Almost back to Maggie’s Bridge
A fitting way to end a golden day in Loweswater, at the Kirkstile Inn
