Route: Low Fell, Darling Fell and Loweswater
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 28th November 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 8.7 miles
Weather: plenty of sunny intervals, wonderful light, cold on the tops
I made the short journey across Lorton Vale and parked in the layby just outside Thackthwaite, where there is room for about six cars. The sun was rising and the signs were good – just what I needed for another visit to my favourite fell
I followed the path uphill from Thackthwaite and was soon on the ridge of Low Fell. The best view is from a point just beyond the southern cairn and described by Wainwright as a ‘view of classical beauty, an inspired and inspiring vision of loveliness…..a scene of lakes and mountains arranged to perfection’. Although I’ve been up here many times, I never tire of this scene and stood here in awe for some time taking in the view, before reluctantly turning away to retrace my steps for a short distance. I then made the steep down and up to Darling Fell, the views from here being nearly as good as those from Low Fell
It was an easy descent from Darling Fell to the old Mosser Road and thence to Loweswater. I walked through Holme Wood, managed by the National Trust, following the lakeside path. Once I reached Maggie’s Bridge, the rest of the return journey was along quiet country lanes. This didn’t detract from the enjoyment in any way – there was hardly any traffic at all, perhaps 3 cars in as many miles
It was a walk in heaven every step of the way
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
Dawn breaks over Lorton Vale and the signs look promising - Low Fell is on the far side of the valley
I drive over to Thackthwaite and walk into the village, taking care to avoid the delinquent squirrels
I leave the road at Thackthwaite House to walk up this path towards Low Fell
Watching Crag, part of the ridge along Low Fell
Mellbreak in the distance
Mellbreak again
An old drove road heads away from the summit at first
Looking back along the drove road
A little further on, looking back over Lorton Vale
Start of the summit ridge along Low Fell
Further along the ridge
A view down into Lorton Vale
Crummock Water
Whiteside and Grasmoor on the far side of Lorton Vale
Rannerdale Knotts
Looking back towards Lorton
Redhow Wood, and Millbeck on the far side of the valley
North top of Low Fell, but I carry on to the south top which has even better views
From the south top - Mellbreak, Crummock Water and a glimpse of Buttermere beyond
Loweswater and Carling Knott
The light and cloud formations were changing all the time - this is Crummock Water and Rannerdale Knotts
And again a couple of minutes later
The Loweswater Fells from the south top
And again, this time with Crummock Water and Buttermere in the picture - what a fantastic view
Reluctantly I left the summit to make the steep down and up to Darling Fell, following the line of the fence all the way
Looking back to Low Fell, with Whiteside and Grasmoor behind it
More wonderful views as I make my way up the steep grassy slopes of Darling Fell
Summit of Darling Fell, looking back to Low Fell
The view along Crummock Water from here rivals that from Low Fell
Walking down from Darling Fell towards Askill Knott. The coastal views are a little hazy today
Loweswater
Looking towards the Irish Sea
That view again
Descending to Loweswater
Just below this point I met a couple who were on the way up to Low Fell - the first people I’d seen all morning. I hope they enjoyed the walk as much as me
I walk along the old Mosser Road for a short distance before turning sharp left to descend to the lake
The path leading down to Loweswater
down to Loweswater
Crossing the footbridge at Waterend
Loweswater, with the sharp outline of Fleetwith Pike in the distance
A view back to Darling Fell
Loweswater
I follow the lakeshore path
I wonder who lives here?
Holme Wood Bothy - available to rent from the National Trust
Whiteside
Whiteside again
Darling Fell and Low Fell
Whiteside and Grasmoor
The lane leading from Maggie’s Bridge
With a great effort of willpower I follow the first sign for Thackthwaite and ignore the second one pointing to the Kirkstile Inn
The lovely view of Crummock Water from Foulsyke
Scale Hill
Back in Thackthwaite - the end of a memorable walk
Back to the start and a last look across Lorton Vale
