Route: Loweswater and Holme Wood
Area : Western Lake District
Date of walk: 28th June 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.7 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Sunny and very hot, cloudless
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 and a lonely valley. Along the way there are wonderful views over the Solway Plain looking north (including Scotland in clear weather) and to the high lakeland fells looking south
It was forecast to be a scorchingly hot day, so we made an early start and parked as usual at Maggie’s Bridge where there is space for 8-10 cars. Instead of heading directly to Loweswater we followed the track to High Nook Farm, where Alfred Wainwright used to stay when he was researching his Guide to the Western Fells. After passing through the farmyard we carried on to the head of the valley before joining the wonderful terraced path above Holme Wood, which is an ancient coffin road from Loweswater to St Bees. The views from here are superb
The path contours around the sides of Carling Knott and Burnbank Fell and reaches a height of over 1,000 feet – higher than one or two lakeland fells. However the climbing is so gentle that it’s hardly noticed. We carried on towards Fangs Brow, on the very edge of the Lake District, before turning back at Iredale Place and following the path past Jenkinson Place and Hudson Place. We then walked back through Holme Wood, and along the shore of Loweswater, passing by the bothy as we did so
The last section was an easy stroll along the track between Watergate Farm and Maggie’s Bridge. We’ve followed this route on numerous occasions at every time of the year and never tire of it
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
Crummock Water islands at dawn yesterday...
The start of today's walk as we cross Maggie's Bridge
Our route will take us up the valley to the left, and then swing right to pass above Holme Wood on the right
Gavel Fell ahead
Beyond High Nook Farm we follow a track to High Nook
Looking back over Lorton Vale, with Low Fell on the left
We'll turn right shortly to follow a path on the other side of the small valley
The bridge over Highnook Beck, which was washed away a couple of years ago, has recently been replaced
We head uphill along the Loweswater to St. Bees Coffin Road
Looking back to Highnook Tarn...
Loweswater to St. Bees Coffin Road
Whiteside, Grasmoor and Mellbreak, and a glimpse of Crummock Water
A view back along the path
Holme Wood on our right
Looking back to Grasmoor and Crummock Water
The path contours around Holme Beck, which separates Carling Knott from Burnbank Fell
Loweswater below Holme Wood
The Solway Firth and the hills of Scotland in the distance
The Bench - its condition is deteriorating but the view over Loweswater and Crummock Water remains the same
Looking back along the old coffin road
We cross this ladder stile
On the fringe of the Lake District now, looking towards Scotland
Fangs Brow in the mid distance, but just before it is the furthest point of the walk...
....we turn right here to start the return journey
Loweswater fells
We pass above Iredale Place
The quiet lane leading from Iredale Place
We descend through the fields towards Loweswater...
On arriving at the lane to Hudson Place we turn right
A narrow path takes us down to the lakeshore
Loweswater...
We follow the lakeshore path through Holme Wood
The bothy, available to rent from the National Trust
Plenty of opportunities for Bonnie to cool down, and to demonstrate The Shake, guaranteed to soak anyone who gets too close
A bench with views to Whiteside and Grasmoor
Near Watergate Farm we leave the lakeshore to walk back towards Maggie's Bridge
Mellbreak
The end of a walk which we've followed many times, and one which we could never tire of
