Route: Lorton Vale
Date of walk: 17th October 2015
Walkers: Andrew Gilly Denise and Phil
Distance: 4.4 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: sunny
Today was the day when the Lorton village shop re-opened under new ownership, having closed down over 2 years ago. We wanted to show our support for this worthy enterprise and decided to walk into the village from home further down the valley. Anyone else following this walk is recommended to start in High Lorton – it’s a great way to explore beautiful Lorton Vale
We walked along the lane towards Hopebeck and then across the fields into High Lorton. The new shop has been completely refurbished and was well stocked with tempting food. We made a few purchases and walked out of the village past Boonbeck and Scales to join the elevated path which runs along the length of the vale, giving wonderful views all the way
We left the valley path at the outgang by Miller Place and walked back home along the Hopebeck lane. It’s a great little walk and one that we hope to repeat more often now that the village shop is open again – good luck to Lee and Arwen with your new venture
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 day before the walk, red squirrel in the garden
Before we set off I visited Crummock Water at dawn - this is looking towards Haystacks
Woodhouse Islands
I drove back via Foulsyke to admire the wonderful view towards Buttermere
Buttermere Fells from near Scalehill Bridge
An hour or two later, we set off and walk along the lane to Lorton - this is looking across the valley to Low Fell
At Hopebeck we continue down the lane following the sign for Cockermouth
We leave the lane at this bend to walk across the fields
Looking back
The foot of Lorton Dodd
Bonnie the cow magnet attracted the attention of this herd of cattle - and our group of 4 split up at this point
I went through the herd and was escorted off the premises, while Phil walked round the field to join me, and the girls decided to walk into Lorton via the lane
Dodd and Whiteside
Looking back over Lorton Vale to Low Fell
Old barn near High Lorton
Looking back to the barn, with Dodd towering above it
Low Fell and Fellbarrow
Approaching High Lorton
Swaledales
Bonnie climbs the steps up the wall
The ancient Lorton Yew, immortalised by Wordsworth, but now reduced in size by storm damage
The purpose of our visit - no photo of the shop itself as there was a large car parked in front of it
High Lorton from the shop
We walk uphill out of the village towards Scales
Scales
Start of the wonderful elevated path above Lorton Vale
Approaching High Swinside
Mellbreak from High Swinside
Looking back over Lorton towards Scotland
Fellbarrow on the far side of Lorton Vale
We follow the gated road for a short distance…
…before turning off at this point to traverse round the fellside
Hopegill Head and Whiteside
Walking round the foot of Dodd
Thackthwaite and Low Fell across the valley
Head of Lorton Vale
We leave the valley path here to walk down the outgang at Miller Place
Back on the Hopebeck lane and our circuit is almost complete
Zooming back to the foot of Low Fell after the end of our walk
