Route: Circuit of Lorton Vale
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 18th February 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.5 miles
Weather: Low cloud, high wind, constant rain – in a word, awful
A high level walk was off the cards today as the fells could hardly be seen, so I decided on a local low level walk round the valley. I set off from home and walked along the lane through Hopebeck (anyone else following this walk could start in Lorton or from Scale Hill car park). The paths across the fields took me into High Lorton
As I walked through the village, it was great to see that the village shop, which has been closed for a considerable time, is soon to be re-opened by new owners Arwen and Lee. Good luck with your new venture and I hope there is plenty of local support for you
After walking through Low Lorton, I followed the lane which runs along the other side of the valley. It’s a lengthy road section, but not an issue. The lane is very quiet, and I didn’t see a single car
The weather deteriorated as I went along. Visibility was very poor and the rain became heavier – and kept getting on the camera lens. The fabulous view from Foulsyke (the best view in England from a road in my opinion) was a complete wash out
I was planning to walk to Crummock Water and return via the high level path but in view of the conditions I decided to cut my losses, and returned to the start via the road
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
Red squirrel entertainment in the garden before I set off this morning
Looking across Lorton Vale to Low Fell as I set off on today’s walk
I follow the lane through Hopebeck
Walking through the fields towards Low Swinside
Old barn near Lorton
High Lorton ahead
Bonnie negotiates the steps in the wall
The ancient Lorton Yew Tree, immortalised by Wordsworth, but badly damaged by gales in recent years
Bridge over Boonbeck in High Lorton
High Lorton
The old village shop (facing into the wind, I couldn’t stop rain hitting the lens)
I’ve volunteered for skip filling duties - anything for a slice of cake!
Lorton Dodd
I thought about returning to Hopebeck, only 1 mile away, but decided to persevere and so followed the sign to Low Lorton
Looking along the River Cocker from the bridge at Low Lorton
Start of the lane which leads along the western side of Lorton Vale
Snowdrops on the bank of the Cocker
Three of the locals
Looking across the valley to my starting point
Thackthwaite, which has a problem with delinquent squirrels
Further along the lane
Scale Hill
The amazing view from Foulskye has gone missing
Palace How
The lane back to the start
