Lanthwaite Green from Brackenthwaite Hows

Brackenthwaite Hows

Route: Brackenthwaite Hows

Area: Western Lake District

Date of walk: 21st November 2024

Walkers: Andrew, Gilly, Phil and Denise 

Distance: 3.0 miles

Ascent: 800 feet

Weather: Sunny, very cold, around -5C

Brackenthwaite Hows, otherwise known as Lanthwaite Hill, is situated near the head of Lorton Vale. This is one of my favourite places which we visit several times a year

As on the last occasion here we parked in one of the free spaces by Lanthwaite Green Farm. We crossed the Buttermere road and headed towards Whin Ben, a ridge which leads up to Whiteside. After crossing the footbridge over Liza Beck we followed the delightful path above Lorton Vale which runs for much of the length of the valley. The path to Beck House lies on the left and is easily missed. Look out for a gate in the wall. We left the valley path here and descended through a field to an area before Liza Beck, which is normally very boggy. The ground was frozen solid, so we kept our boots dry today. We crossed the beck via a footbridge and immediately after that crossed the Buttermere road. After passing by Pickett Howe we started the easy climb up the slopes of Brackenthwaite Hows, following a faint path not shown on the OS maps. Bluebells grow here in profusion in May and the display rivals its famous neighbour, Rannerdale

We continued to follow the line of the ridge before arriving at the top of Brackenthwaite Hows, also known as Lanthwaite Hill. The views were as good as ever, and a large chunk of the western Lake District may be seen from here including Crummock Water, Loweswater and Lorton Vale. Blinding low sun made it impossible to take a photo of Crummock Water as we looked south

We descended towards Crummock Water and entered Lanthwaite Wood via a deer gate. We then followed a path beside a dry stone wall at the edge of the wood. Near the edge of the wood we followed a path out of it back to Lanthwaite Green and to the end of the walk, a great way to delebrate my birthday

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