Brund Fell walk - Grange Fell walk - Kings How walk

Route: Brund Fell

Area: Central Lake District

Date of walk: 27th October 2018

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 7.5 miles

Ascent: 1,600 feet

Weather: Sunny, cold wind on the tops

Brund Fell is the highest of the three tops of Grange Fell, one of the lower lakeland fells but one of the very best. I’ve been up here many times, and usually start from the Bowderstone car park and climb up to King’s How, one of the other tops. I’d planned another way up today, a longer route which I’ve not tried before, and I wondered how this would compare

The start wasn’t a particularly good one, as I had to walk for about 15 minutes along the valley road from the roadside parking space near the Leathes Head Hotel to the Swiss Lodore Hotel. There’s no way of avoiding this (unless making a lengthy detour via Grange and the head of Derwent Water). To make things worse, as I arrived at the Swiss Lodore a group of around 20 guided walkers set out along the footpath just in front of me. I’m afraid that I find the presence of such large groups to be intrusive. After a loud ‘excuse me’ I hastily overtook them one by one. I walked past the Lodore Falls without stopping and began the ascent as fast as I could. Fortunately the group were heading elsewhere, peace was restored, and I could start to enjoy the walk

I followed a rather vague path, with Watendlath Beck about 50 yards away on the right – the beck would be a constant companion until I reached its source at Watendlath Tarn. After crossing it via a footbridge I followed a lovely section of the walk along a narrow valley, and arrived at the hamlet of Watendlath, owned by the National Trust. I walked along the broad track signposted for Rosthwaite but turned right after only a few yards to follow a vague grassy path leading uphill to Brund Fell. The summit of the fell is a fascinating place, with a number of steep sided rock towers scattered around, and with wonderful views of the surrounding fells

I then made my way across to King’s How following a clear path (which didn’t head directly for King’s How in its early stages). A short clamber to the rocky summit brought with it more lovely views, perhaps more extensive than those from Brund Fell. I descended from the top and entered woodland, climbing down a steep path consisting of rock steps. The gradient eventually eased and I walked past Troutdale Cottages back to the start

For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box

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The roadside section at the start of the walk as I head towards Shepherds Crag

Skiddaw and Derwent Water. The Swiss Lodore Hotel is around the corner, and just beyond it I turn off the road and follow a path to the Lodore Falls

My photo of the falls isn't worth showing - it was taken in haste as I tried to get away from the large group of walkers. Beyond the falls I followed a narrow path uphill