Route: Brackenthwaite Hows
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 15th May 2021
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.1 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Brackenthwaite Hows, known locally as Lanthwaite Hill, is one of my favourite places in the Lake District. This walk has featured on my site many times, but I take the view that no two walks are ever the same – changing seasons and variations in the light and weather make for an infinite number of possibilities – and there’s always something new to be seen
The hill and surrounding woodland have recently been purchased by the National Trust, which will preserve this place for future generations
We parked as usual in the National Trust car park at Scale Hill. Instead of taking the obvious track ahead, which leads directly to the north shore of Crummock Water, we turned left up a steepish path through Lanthwaite Wood. As we gained height it was good to see a red squirrel on one of the feeders dotted around the woods. At a junction we turned left again to continue uphill, climbing a steep rocky staircase along the way
After leaving the woods via a deer gate we were soon at the top of the hill, admiring the superb views over Lorton Vale, Loweswater and Crummock Water. We then followed the easy path back down into Lanthwaite Wood, following a path which hugs the edge of the woods, giving good views across to Lanthwaite Green
The path descends to the eastern shore of Crummock Water, and when we arrived at the lakeshore we followed the path to the foot of the lake. From this point there are two ways back to the start – a path which follows the bank of the River Cocker, and the wide track leading through Lanthwaite Wood. We opted for the track today, and 5 minutes later were back to the car park to end a short but very sweet walk
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)
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The start of the walk as we enter Lanthwaite Wood. We turn left uphill here and will return via the track ahead
After a short steep climb we exit Lanthwaite Wood through the deer gate
We follow the ridge leading to the top of Brackenthwaite Hows
Whiteside ahead
Sweet Lorton Vale on our left
Bluebells in flower as we look towards Loweswater...
Looking back towards Loweswater and the foot of Low Fell
Crummock Water and Mellbreak from the top of Brackenthwaite Hows
Loweswater again, and Holme Wood top right, resembling a pheasant
Low Fell
We descend towards Lanthwaite Wood
More bluebells on Brackenthwaite Hows
Mellbreak
Grasmoor
We re-enter Lanthwaite Wood
We follow a path around the edge of the wood
Whin Ben, leading up to Whiteside
Lanthwaite Green
We descend to the shore of Crummock Water
We arrive at the boathouse on the eastern shore of the lake
The foot of Mellbreak from the stony beach
We follow the lakeshore path and arrive at the foot of Crummock Water, here looking towards Red Pike and Mellbreak. By this time the light had gone, so we didn't linger here
We turn our backs on Crummock Water and follow the track through Lanthwaite Wood back to the start...
Last of the bluebells as we reach the end of the walk
