Route: Whiteside
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 10th July 2025
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.6 miles
Ascent: 2,100 feet
Weather: Sunny and warm
It’s been a while since I was last up Whiteside, one of my favourite fells, and a return visit was overdue. I started from the small parking area (room for 4 or 5 cars only) on the gated road to High Swinside. For anyone else following this walk, and wanting to get the climbing out of the way early, another good starting point would be Lanthwaite Green. Either way, the route should be walked anti-clockwise in order to enjoy the lovely views along Lorton Vale, and also in order to tackle the Whin Ben route as an ascent and not a descent
From the parking space I followed the terraced path above Lorton Vale, keeping the intake wall on my right. The views along the path get better and better, though several boggy sections will be encountered no matter how dry the weather has been
Eventually it was time to leave the valley path as I arrived at the foot of Whin Ben (‘incomparably the best route up’ according to Wainwright), and here the collar work began. There are 3 quite steep and rocky sections along the way when hands need to be taken out of pockets: the final section before Whin Ben top, a rocky mount mid way between Whin Ben and Whiteside, and the final push to the summit. These all involve some enjoyable and perfectly safe clambering, though I wouldn’t like to descend this way
I arrived at the summit cairn which is not the highest point and, after gazing at the wonderful views, made my way along to the true summit. I resisted the temptation to carry on along the ridge to Hopegill Head, and started the gentle descent down the path to Dodd – this provides an easy way off the fell. On arriving at Dodd Pass I headed down to Hope Beck and crossed it via the recently installed footbridge. From here it was a short stroll back to the start of a superb 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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Earlier in the week, a red squirrel in the garden
Not far from the start of the walk I spotted a tawny owl in the fields below Swinside
It didn't seem to be perturbed by my presence and I managed to get closer...
A magical start to the walk
The start of the walk from the gated road below Swinside. I turn left uphill here and aim for Lorton Dodd
I follow the path around the flanks of Lorton Dodd, which is an extension of the ridge leading down from Whiteside
I cross the footbridge over Hope Beck, a fairly recent and very welcome addition, as fording the beck used to be a tricky business in times of spate
I follow the lovely path along Lorton Vale, which splits here. Either path may be taken as they re-unite further along
Mellbreak, which dominates the scene along the valley path
I pass by the outgang above Miller Place
Loweswater fells in the distance
Herdwick sheep, which often graze the common land below Whiteside
Mellbreak
Mellbreak beyond Brackenthwaite Hows
Crummock Water comes into view, and just beyond the dry stone wall lies a path on the left leading up to Whin Ben, the key to the ascent of Whiteside and 'incomparably the best way up' according to Wainwright
At the start of the climb I look back to Lanthwaite Green, a good alternative starting place for this walk
Onwards and upwards as I start the climb up to Whin Ben
Looking back to Crummock Water and Mellbreak
Loweswater and Low Fell
One of the three rocky sections on the Whin Ben route
Lorton Vale
Crummock Water and Loweswater
Beyond Whin Ben, Whiteside comes into view and the way ahead is obvious
The lower slopes of Grasmoor
Another rocky section. Don't let the photo put you off, it's not as steep as appears and there are good footholds. I'd describe it as a clamber rather than a scramble
Looking back along the Whin Ben ridge
Last push to the summit of Whiteside
The spectacular trench of Gasgale Gill, which channels Liza Beck into Crummock Water
The rocky flanks of Whiteside, with Hopegill Head in the distance
Gasgale Gill between Whiteside and Grasmoor
A view back along the path from just below the summit of Whiteside, where the mountain scenery becomes more dramatic...
Dove Crags below Grasmoor
Gasgale Gill
Hopegill Head, and Grizedale Pike beyond...
Gasgale Crags
Gasgale Crags and Gasgale Gill
I gain the ridge to Whiteside, in my opinion the finest ridge in the Lake District if followed as far as Hopegill Head
Looking back to the lower of the Whiteside summits at 707 metres
I continue along the ridge to the slightly higher summit at 719 metres
Having reached both high points I retrace my steps for a short distance to start the descent
A gentle descent along the ridge to Lorton Dodd follows, with huge views looking north along Lorton Vale, towards the Solway Firth. Scotland can often be seen from here, but it was a little too hazy today
Looking over Lorton Vale to Fellbarrow and Low Fell, and the Irish Sea just visible in the distance
I arrive at the col below Lorton Dodd and turn right here
Looking back along Hope Gill, with heather about to bloom
The path contours around Lorton Dodd and heads towards Lorton Vale...
Beyond this point I arrive back at my original path and from here I retrace my steps back to the end of a wonderful fell walk
