Route: Low Fell and Darling Fell
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 4th February 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.1 miles
Ascent: 1,800 feet
Low Fell is our favourite fell not just because it’s the first thing we see when we open the bedroom curtains in the morning, but also because of the view from the summit. Wainwright agrees: “the view is of classical beauty, an inspired and inspiring vision of loveliness…a scene of lakes and mountains arranged to perfection”
With those words echoing in my mind, I set off from Thackthwaite along the easy track which leads gently uphill, and then connects to a drove road to Watching Crag. I was soon at the top of Low Fell, but made sure to go as far along the ridge as I could, right to the southern end of the fell, which enjoys the best views
Having savoured these for a while, I made the steep down and up to Darling Fell. This was no place to linger as the wind by now was ferocious, so I descended to the shore of Loweswater, walking back to the car along quiet country lanes
The weather changed constantly: there was sun, rain, hail and gales in different combinations, all adding to the enjoyment of this great 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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
In Thackthwaite at the start of the walk - I cross the road with care so to avoid being run over by a speeding squirrel
Looking across Lorton Vale from the start of the climb
Whiteside and Grasmoor
Lorton
Crummock Water comes into view as I gain height
On the ridge line now, and another view back to Millbeck, with Whiteside behind it
The Solway Firth in the distance
Not far from the top - Crummock Water
Cairn on the north top of Low Fell
Loweswater, with the Loweswater Pheasant above it (Holme Wood)
Cairn on the south top - low cloud obscures some of the view but it’s wonderful all the same
We’ve enjoyed a lot of picnics at this viewpoint
Whiteside and Grasmoor from the far end of the ridge
A down and and up is needed to get to Darling Fell ahead
The Solway Firth from Darling Fell
Start of the descent from Darling Fell
The Irish Sea
At the bottom of the fell, I join the Mosser Road
Loweswater
I follow a path, and then a quiet road, along the shore of the lake
Carling Knott
The lane back to Thackthwaite - it started to pour at this point
The wonderful view from Foulsyke was nowhere to be seen
A rainbow greets me as I arrive back in Thackthwaite
