Bowfell and Low Arnside from Black Fell

Black Fell

Route: Black Fell and Tarn Hows

Area: Southern Lake District

Date of walk: 5th September 2018

Walkers: Andrew and  Gilly

Distance: 6.7 miles

Ascent: 1,200 feet

Weather: Sunny

Black Fell stands at 1,056 feet and as such just manages to qualify as a Wainwright. Despite its modest height, the fell is well worth climbing for the superlative views of the Langdale Pikes. I’ve not been here for 4 years, and so a return visit was overdue, particularly since we’d be able to combine the walk with one of Lakeland’s classic beauty spots, Tarn Hows

We parked in the National Trust car park by Glen Mary Bridge and followed the rocky path uphill beside Tom Gill, where there are several lovely waterfalls. After a short while we emerged at the shore of Tarn Hows, whose beauty and accessibility make it a little over popular at times.  As we’d anticipated there were quite a few other folk around, but not so many as to spoil the peace. We followed the easy path anti-clockwise around the shore, diverting briefly uphill for an improved view of the tarn, and the Langdale Pikes in the distance – a wonderful sight

After soaking in the views for a while we headed away from the tarn passing by Torver Intake and then joining a path through Iron Keld Plantation. Beyond the plantation Black Fell came into view and we made our way to the summit over some rough ground. The views from here were superb

From the summit we could see the lovely old farmhouse known as Low Arnside with a backdrop of the Langdale Pikes, and we used that as our guide to descend over more rough ground, eventually joining a clear path near the farm. This took us down to the A593, where we had a choice of routes. Holme Fell can easily be ticked off from here, and it’s also possible to climb back up to Tarn Hows and walk along the other shore. We didn’t have time for either option today and, after a brief diversion to Low Oxen fell to avoid the road, we followed the narrow path which runs near the A593, and then skirts around lovely Yew Tree Tarn. This brought us back to Glen Mary Bridge and the end of a wonderful walk

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