Route: Lorton Vale
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 1st January 2020
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 2.0 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Cloudy with sunny patches
For the first walk of a new decade I decided to tread the familiar paths of Lorton Vale, one of lakeland’s loveliest valleys. It may lack in drama compared with other valleys such as Borrowdale and Langdale, but it more than makes up for this with its unspoilt pastoral charm. It’s a quiet area too, and a good destination for anyone seeking to avoid the bank holiday crowds. As it turned out, I didn’t see another soul during the walk
There was only time for a short walk today, but a glance at the Ordnance Survey map will quickly show that a network of paths criss cross the valley, and there are numerous options for a longer outing. I started from the small parking space by one of the gates on the gated road at High Swinside. I then followed the valley path above the intake wall, which has wonderful views across Lorton Vale to Low Fell and Fellbarrow. The path is soggy in places no matter how dry the weather has been
It was tempting to continue along the path, which runs as far as Lanthwaite Green but there was no time for that today. All too soon I arrived at the outgang by Miller Place and descended between its dry stone walls to arrive at the quiet lane leading into High Lorton. The lane is virtually traffic free and is only used by a few locals. On arriving at the small settlement of Hopebeck I turned right uphill to follow another lane which leads back to High Swinside and the gated road
It was a short but sweet 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
New Year's Eve last night, and a skyful of stars over Lorton Vale
The valley has little or no light pollution and is a good place for stargazing
New Year's Day, and a quick dawn visit to nearby Crummock Water...
Later that morning, the first walk of 2020 - this is above the small parking space on the road to High Swinside looking north towards High Lorton and Low Lorton
Looking south along the valley
Hope Farm below right, which I'll pass by near the end of the walk
Hope Beck, with Hopegill Head and Whiteside above
I ford Hope Beck near this ruined sheep fold
Looking north again - the Solway Firth and Scotland may be seen from here, but it was too hazy today
Fellbarrow on the far side of Lorton Vale
The heavenly path above the intake wall, which runs the length of the valley...
Low Fell and Fellbarrow
Mellbreak in the distance, but I leave the path near here and turn right
I follow the outgang by Miller Place and turn right on reaching the lane...
A couple of proud herdwick rams in one of the fields
Looking back to Hen Comb as I continue along the lane
Low Fell on the far side of the vale...
...and Fellbarrow
I follow the lane towards Hopebeck
Low Fell again
Having turned right at Hopebeck, I follow the lane uphill - Ladyside Pike is in the background
A view back along the lane
I pass by Hope Farm
I arrive back at the gated road
A final look back over sweet Lorton Vale
