Route: Low Fell
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 30th March 2024
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly, Lucy, Jody, Phoebe and Bobby
Distance: 4.5 miles
Ascent: 1,500 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny
Low Fell is one of my favourite places and the fell which I chose for my 1,000th Wainwright ascent in May 2018
Our grandchildren Phoebe and Bobby were staying with us over the Easter holidays and I was keen to introduce them to the joys of fellwalking – this would be their first fell, hopefully the first of many to come
We parked as usual in one of the few roadside spaces outside the small settlement of Thackthwaite on the west side of Lorton Vale. We walked into the village and turned right at a signpost next to Thackthwaite Farm and followed a rocky lane uphill. This leads out onto the fields and from here the obvious route follows a line of old oak trees up to the intake wall. There are lovely retrospective views from here.
On reaching the intake wall we turned right to follow a grassy path which curves around the fellside into a small raised valley, where the views are lost – this is a rather dreary section in truth, but it’s soon over and before long we arrived on on the ridge line, heading south with ever improving views along the way. We followed the path along the undulating ridge to the north top. Having achieved his first Wainwright summit, young Bobby decided it was ‘job done’ at this point so our party split up and Jody, Phoebe and I carried on to the south top, about 10 minutes further along the ridge. There’s a cairn just below the south top, at the very end of the ridge, and from here it’s possible to enjoy one of the finest views in lakeland. In the words of Alfred Wainwright, ‘the view is of classical beauty, an inspired and inspiring vision of loveliness…a scene of lakes and mountains arranged to perfection’
It was a wonderful scene and, suitably inspired, we turned back to join the rest of our party on the north top and from there we retraced steps back to the start
For a longer route, which also takes in Darling Fell and Loweswater click here and for a steep direct route descent click here
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
Earlier in the week, a red squirrel in the garden...
Easter Saturday, and the start of a family walk from the village of Thackthwaite. We turn right just beyond the fence
An early view back over Lorton Vale as we follow a path through the fields
The ridge leading to Low Fell
Looking back to Whiteside
Lorton Vale again
Lorton, and Skiddaw in the distance
A view back to Crummock Water
We follow the grassy path uphill with Fellbarrow on our right
Lovely retrospective views over Lorton Vale as we gain height...
The path turns back towards Low Fell
Phoebe sets off along the undulating ridge
Ladyside Pike and Lorton Dodd leading up to Whiteside
Lorton Vale
Looking back along our path
Young Bobby striding out
Lucy and Phoebe make it to the north top of Low Fell
North top of Low Fell, looking towards Whiteside and Grasmoor
Crummock Water from the north top
One for the family album - Phoebe, Lucy, Jody and Bobby
Bobby decides it's job done here, and with justification as the height of the north top is 1,388 feet and the south is 1,352 feet. Having ticked off his first Wainwright he couldn't be persuaded to carry on to the south top, about 10 minutes' walk away, so our party split into two
Phoebe, Jody and I continued to the south top, enjoying views of Lorton Vale on our left...
...and the Irish Sea on our right
Just beyond the cairn on the south top, at the very end of the ridge, there's a superlative view over Crummock Water
Loweswater and Holme Wood
Phoebe's first fell
From here we retrace our steps
Another photo for the family album as we descend into Lorton Vale
Bobby leads the way home
