Route: Loweswater Fells
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 3rd February 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.8 miles
Weather: Light cloud, with a very strong and very cold wind
There are five Loweswater Fells in all. The three which we climbed today were Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell and Gavel Fell, The other two, Mellbreak and Hen Comb, were not on the itinerary. These remote fells are on the fringes of the Lake District, though they often provide good views into it the heart of it. This is a good place to come if you prefer solitude on the fells, it’s unlikely you’ll see another soul
We parked in one of the roadside spaces near Fangs Brow and headed along the familiar path towards Holme Wood, branching off after about 10 minutes to follow a faint path uphill. Although it’s an easy climb, the task was made quite hard today by very strong winds, approaching gale force, and we did consider turning back at one point
We eventually reached the summit of Burnbank Fell (1,580 feet) and without lingering made the up and down to Blake Fell, the highest of the Loweswater Fells at 1,878 feet. It was too cold to stop and once again we set off immediately for the last fell on the round – Gavel Fell at 1,720 feet. It was another easy down and up
We descended to High Nook and joined an elevated path, the old Coffin Road to St Bees, one which we’ve trodden many times before. This took us above Loweswater and Holme Wood and back to the start
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
Early morning on the day of the walk, and a quick visit to Crummock Water to catch sunrise…
Breakfast time, and a red squirrel in the garden
Start of the walk, looking towards lakeland from the roadside parking space near Fangs Brow
Further along the track Loweswater and Crummock Water come into view
We leave the track beyond the gate ahead and follow a faint path up the lower flanks of Burnbank Fell
Fell ponies
Whiteside and Grasmoor
Looking back - the Solway Firth and Scotland are in the distance
Loweswater and Crummock Water - and a ‘Pile of Stones’ as described on the OS map
Not a prizewinning photo, but it shows the rather bleak nature of the terrain on the final part of the climb up Burnbank Fell
Looking towards Blake Fell
Criffel in Scotland…
The insignificant summit cairn on Burnbank Fell - we didn’t bother to cross the fence
Next stop Blake Fell
Summit of Blake Fell and some welcome views of lakeland proper
Fleetwith Pike at the head of Buttermere
Looking across to Lorton Vale, Whiteside and Grasmoor
Heading towards Gavel Fell, the last fell on the round
Pillar in the clouds
Cogra Moss and the west coast on our right
Summit cairn on Gavel Fell
The start of the return leg as we turn left and start the descent
Bonnie - and Lorton Vale
Darling Fell and Low Fell above Loweswater
We’re heading for the path slanting across the fellside and above Holme Wood
Hen Comb, one of the other Loweswater fells
The last climb of the day awaits - the path known as the Loweswater to St Bees Coffin Road
We descend towards Loweswater before turning sharp left ahead to join the Coffin Road
The small bridge over Highnook Beck
Whiteside and Grasmoor…
…and again, as the path climbs above Holme Wood
We skirt above the top of the wood
The path contours around the fellside - Scotland comes into view again in the distance
A well sited bench looking into lakeland
A final look back as we leave the lakes and fells behind
The path back to Fangs Brow, and we retrace our steps back to the start
