Route: Loweswater and Holme Wood
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 18th December 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.7 miles
Weather: Sunny intervals
This is one of our favourite local walks which in the space of 6 miles manages to cram in a huge variety of scenery including farmland, ancient woodland, a lake, a tarn, open moorland, a lonely valley and along the way offers wonderful views over the Solway Plain looking north (including Scotland in clear weather) and to the high lakeland fells looking south
I parked as usual at Maggie’s Bridge where there is space for 8-10 cars and followed the track to High Nook Farm – Wainwright used to stay here when he was researching his Guide to the Western Fells. After passing through the farmyard I carried on to the head of the valley before joining the wonderful terraced path above Holme Wood – the views from here are fabulous
The path reaches a height of over 1,000 feet, higher than one or two lakeland fells, but the climbing is so gentle that it’s hardly noticed. I carried on towards Fangs Brow, on the very edge of the Lake District, before turning back at Iredale Place and following the path past The Place (an ideal retreat for anyone looking to explore this area). I then walked through Holme Wood, and along the shore of Loweswater back to the start
I’ve followed this route on numerous occasions and never tire of it – I hope that the photos which follow will show why this is so…
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 track to High Nook Farm at Maggie’s Bridge car park
Further along the track
Beyond the farm now, and looking back to Low Fell and Lorton Vale
Contrasting scenery as I walk towards the valley head
I turn sharp right to cross the small bridge over Highnook Beck
A gradual climb is needed before the path levels out above Holme Wood
Whiteside and Grasmoor are well seen from the path
The foot of Mellbreak
Sweet Lorton Vale
Grasmoor and Mellbreak
Whiteside and Grasmoor
Foot of Low Fell, and a glimpse of Loweswater
Looking back along the path High Nook Tarn comes into view
Foot of Crummock Water
Whiteside and Grasmoor again from the edge of Holme Wood
Grasmoor and Mellbreak
Red Pike in the distance
The path below Carling Knott and above Holme Wood
Looking back…
I continue along the terraced path as it snakes its way around Carling Knott, and then Burnbank Fell
Loweswater and Whiteside
The Bench
Holme Wood below - I’ll be walking through the wood later on
Looking back along the path…
The Solway Plain - Scotland can often be seen from here but it was a little too hazy today
It’s easy to take dry stone walls for granted - they are everywhere - but they invariably enhance the lakeland landscape
The halfway point of the walk, and on the edge of lakeland near Fangs Brow
I follow the sign to Hudson Place
Graythwaite
The path passes above Iredale Place
The newly resurfaced track to Jenkinson Place
Loweswater comes into view again
A wonderful ancient line of trees before Hudson Place and The Place
I turn right here to follow the lane past Hudson Place and The Place
Loweswater on my left as I head towards Holme Wood
Loweswater
Entrance gate to Holme Wood
I follow the main track through the wood - there is an alternative path along the lakeshore
I cross Holme Beck
Gnarled trees in Holme Wood
The Bothy - available to rent from the National Trust
Beyond Holme Wood now, Whiteside and Grasmoor reappear
The delightful track back to Maggie’s Bridge…
The end of a wonderful walk
