Route: Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 28th May 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.2 miles
Weather: Mostly cloudy with patches of sun, improving
I was inspired by yesterday’s walk up Place Fell to revisit Ullswater, and Gowbarrow Fell seemed like a good choice – it had been raining overnight and I could include Aira Force in the round as the waterfalls should be on good form
I parked in the higher of the National Trust car parks on the Dockray road. I’d made an early start and was the first one there, as I was hoping to avoid the crowds that are attracted by the waterfalls
I made my way down to Aira Beck at the top of the falls, then headed along the beck before turning up the rather dull and featureless slopes of Gowbarrow Fell. It was easy going and I was soon at the top. The views are mediocre thanks to intervening high ground but I knew that better was to come
The recently improved path (thanks, Fix the Fells) took me down the flanks of the fell towards Ullswater. I’d deliberately planned to walk clockwise so that the superlative views to the head of Ullswater were in front of me – the next mile or so was a walk in heaven. The weather had cleared and it was a wonder I didn’t trip over a passing rock as I gazed in awe at the scenery ahead
All too soon the path descended and turned away from the lake, but the fun wasn’t over – Aira Force was still to come. I could hear it before I could see it, a thunderous roar followed by the sight of tons of cascading water, it was spectacular. I followed a path which took me up Aira Beck to the top by way of the various upper falls, and I then retraced my steps back to the start. What a fantastic walk
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Start of the walk, Ullswater is ahead out of sight. My route is to the left
The recently improved path down to Aira Beck
Aira Beck
I cross the footbridge over the beck
Aira Beck from the bridge
I pass through the gate and enter onto open fellisde
Looking across to Ullswater
A view back to Dockray
Bonnie
Summit of Gowbarrow Fell ahead
Ullswater from the summit
I descend the easy path in the direction of Ullswater
The elevated path follows the contours of the fell, with ever improving views
Sandwick
Gowbarrow Bay
Another view towards the foot of the lake, but as I round this corner the focus changes towards its head…
Place Fell on the left, the subject of yesterday’s walk
Aira Point illuminated by the sun
View from the cairn near the Memorial Seat
Hellvellyn in the distance
The Memorial Seat “A thank offering 1905”
A beautiful section as the path continues along the flanks of Gowbarrow Fell
Aira Point again
Place Fell
A last look over Ullswater before I turn the corner to head up Aira Beck to the waterfalls
The main fall - Aira Force
The lower section of the Force
And the upper section, gushing out with a massive roar
Looking down on Aira Force from the bridge above it
I continued uphill beside Aira Beck, where there is a series of lovely smaller falls……
At the end of the falls I climb up the path back to the start
A last look back to Gowbarrow Fell
