Route: Loweswater and Holme Wood
Area : Western Lake District
Date of walk: 20th January 2023
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.1 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: Sunny and cloudless, icy paths
Although this is a short walk, it includes a lonely valley, wonderful views of Lorton Vale and the lakeland fells, an ancient woodland and a lake. We’ve followed longer variations of this route on many occasions. This shorter alternative is a perfect choice when time is limited as it was today
We parked at Maggie’s Bridge where there is space for 8-10 cars (during busy times it’s necessary to arrive early in order to be sure of a space). 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 farm we carried on to the head of the valley before joining the wonderful terraced path above Holme Wood, known as the old coffin road from Loweswater to St Bees (the description may be fanciful but the name has stuck). 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, although icy paths meant that we had to tread carefully. Just before Holme Beck we descended to a gate at the edge of Holme Wood. We followed a path which took us down to the foot of Loweswater (the lake is unusual in that it drains into lakeland rather than out of it as would normally be expected)
We followed the track across the foot of the lake and this brought us back to Maggie’s Bridge to end a short but sweet 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)
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The start of the walk as we follow the track to High Nook Farm. Carling Knott is ahead and our route will take us above Holme Wood right of picture
Looking back to Whiteside, aptly named today
Having passed through High Nook Farm we look back to Low Fell, Lorton Vale and Whiteside
We will turn sharp right at the head of the valley
We cross the footbridge over Highnook Beck
Looking across to Whiteside and Grasmoor as we follow the path along the flanks of Carling Knott
The old coffin road - it's believed that the name is fanciful as the path involves much climbing and is not the shortest route for the old coffin bearers
Mellbreak on the right as we reach the upper edge of Holme Wood
Looking back, with a glimpse of Crummock Water below the fells
The path continues around the flank of Burnbank Fell but we leave it in a few yards...
We enter Holme Wood. Sadly ramorum disease has affected many of the larch trees in the wood and foresty operations are being carried out
We follow the path down to Loweswater ignoring some criss crossing paths (the first of which leads to Holme Force for anyone interested in a short detour)
We reach the shore of Loweswater, with Darling Fell beyond
Low Fell and Whiteside
We follow the track past the foot of Loweswater
The car park is just ahead
On the way back we stopped the car to admire this wonderul view of Crummock Water, with Great Gable in the background
