Route: Lanthwaite Hill
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 2nd February 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.0 miles
Weather: Sunny intervals
There was only time for a short walk this afternoon, so we chose one of our favourite local spots – Lanthwaite Hill (shown on the OS map as Brackenthwaite Hows). It’s a superb vantage point and hardly any effort is required to get to the top
What this walk lacks in distance it more than makes up for in the sheer beauty and variety of the terrain
We parked in the National Trust car park near Scalehill Bridge and instead of heading along the obvious path ahead turned steeply uphill to climb up through Lanthwaite Wood. There are a couple of short rocky sections to add interest, though they are very easy
The view from the top of Lanthwaite Hill was as beautiful as ever, with Lorton Vale, Loweswater, Crummock Water and the Buttermere fells displayed in all their splendour
We descended through Lanthwaite Wood to the foot of Crummock Water from where there is a view along the length of the lake, and after walking round the foot of the lake we joined a path beyond the pump house leading to Muncaster House. From here it was a short walk back to the start along the quiet road. A great little 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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The River Cocker and Mellbreak from the car park at the start of the walk
Instead of following the main track to the foot of Crummock Water, we climb up a narrow path to the left
Snowdrops in Lanthwaite Wood
Bonnie waits for us to catch up - we’ll take another left turn uphill here
We exit the wood via the deer gate and enter onto Lanthwaite Hill (Brackenthwaite Hows on the OS map)
The final section of the climb, with Whiteside in the background…
…and Grasmoor on the right
There are views in all directions from this well positioned little hill - this is Lorton Vale…
…Low Fell
…Grasmoor
Lanthwaite Green at the foot of Grasmoor
Bonnie at the top of the hill
Loweswater
Rannerdale Knotts
Crummock Water at the foot of Mellbreak
Loweswater as we start to descend back into Lanthwaite Wood
Rannerdale Knotts again above the wood
We follow a path which skirts around the edge of the wood…
Descending to the shore of Crummock Water
We arrive at the small beach by the boathouse, and a bathing opportunity for Bonnie..
Stand well back - time for The Shake
We follow the path along the western shore of the lake
View from the foot of Crummock Water
We walk past the weir and the fish ladder…
…and cross the bridge over the River Cocker at the start of its journey
The High Stile Range
The boathouse again, this time from the other shore
Pine trees and the foot of Mellbreak
We leave the lake here to head inland towards Muncaster House
Raven Crag at the foot of Mellbreak
Looking along Park Beck to Whiteside and Grasmoor
A view back along the track
Low Fell
We join the quiet lane leading past Muncaster House
Scalehill Bridge - the car park is just beyond it
At last look towards the Buttermere fells as we arrive back at the start
Back home, a red squirrel in the garden
