Route: Lorton Vale
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 26th July 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Weather: Cloudy but bright
This is one of our favourite local walks as it packs so much varied scenery into the space of 3 miles
We parked in one of the free spaces by Lanthwaite Green Farm. After crossing the Buttermere road we headed towards Whin Ben, a ridge which leads up to Whiteside. We crossed the footbridge over Liza Beck and followed the delightful path above Lorton Vale. It felt wonderful to be striding out along this familiar path, with lovely views along the valley. We kept a sharp lookout for Beck House on our left and when we drew level with it we left the valley path and passed through a gate. The path descended to a boggy area before Liza Beck, which we crossed for the second time and immediately after that crossed the Buttermere road. We passed by Pickett Howe and started the easy climb up the slopes of Brackenthwaite Hows, following a faint path not shown on the OS maps
We were soon on the top of the hill admiring the views in all directions – Crummock Water and the western fells ahead, Loweswater on the right, Lorton Vale stretching out behind us and Whiteside and Grasmoor on the left. We descended towards Crummock Water and entered Lanthwaite Wood via a deer gate. We then followed a path beside a dry stone wall at the edge of the wood. Near the edge of the wood we followed a path out of it back to Lanthwaite Green and to the end of the 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 start of the walk as we cross the road from the parking area and head towards Gasgale Gill, which separates Whiteside from Grasmoor
Looking across to our destination, Brackenthwaite Hows below Low Fell
We cross the footbridge over Liza Beck
Looking up to Whiteside and the Whin Ben ridge which leads up to it
Looking back to the start of the walk, with Crummock Water and Mellbreak beyond
We head north into Lorton Vale, following a path by a dry stone wall which runs along the valley for several miles
When we draw level with Beck House we leave the valley path and head towards Brackenthwaite Hows
We arrive at a sometimes boggy area near the Buttermere road and cross the footbridge over Liza Beck...
After crossing the Buttermere road we follow a path beside a dry stone wall, with a view of Low Fell ahead
We walk past Pickett Howe and just beyond a gate turn left to start the gentle climb up Brackenthwaite Hows
Looking across Lorton Vale to Low Fell
We follow a faint path up Brackenthwaite Hows
Whiteside on our left. The path which we'd followed earlier can be seen running along its foot
We arrive on the curving ridge of Brackenthwaite Hows, looking towards Red Pike and the High Stile Range in the distance
We aim for the top of Brackenthwaite Hows, or Lanthwaite Hill, on the right of the picture
Crummock Water comes into view
Lanthwaite Green at the foot of Grasmoor
We pause to admire the wonderful view over Crummock Water
Loweswater
Lorton Vale
Crummock Water at the foot of Mellbreak
We descend down the grassy slopes
Views of the High Stile Range, Mellbreak and Crummock Water on the way down
Rannerdale Knotts above Lanthwaite Wood
We enter into Lanthwaite Wood via the deer gate ahead
We follow a delightful path beside a dry stone wall...
We leave Lanthwaite Wood via a gate and follow a path in the direction of Whiteside
Lanthwaite Green Farm ahead and the end of a short but very sweet walk
The following morning, a red squirrel in search of breakfast...
