Route: Gowbarrow Fell
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 9th September 2020
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.0 miles
Ascent: 1,200 feet
Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells
It’s been over two years since we were last on Gowbarrow Fell, and a return visit was overdue. As on the last occasion we parked in the main National Trust car park below Aira Force and followed one of the paths up Aira Beck. In normal times it’s possible to follow paths on both sides of the beck, but Covid restrictions were in force, and we had to follow a one way system along the left bank. We’d made an early start as Aira Force attracts large numbers of visitors in the summer – a good choice as the car park was full when we arrived back at the end of the walk
We passed by Aira Force and once beyond it we continued to follow Aira Beck and the upper falls, eventually emerging onto open fellside
After an easy climb beside a dry stone wall we reached the summit of Gowbarrow Fell. The views from here are extensive, but pale in comparison with those of Ullswater from the terraced path above the lake – one of the best miles in lakeland – and which we’d saved for last by walking the circuit in a clockwise direction
We passed by Yew Crag, from where there is a fabulous panorama towards the head of Ullswater. By a stroke of good fortune the grey clouds disappeared briefly and were replaced by blue skies and sun which showed the scenery at its best. We then made the gentle descent back to the Aira Force visitor centre, enjoying the view for most of the way back
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The day before the walk, it was good to see a red squirrel in the garden after an absence of several months. This one is stocking on hazelnuts up for winter
Checking what's in the shop window, self service, consumer testing, and putting in the larder - this routine was repeated multiple times
After all that activity, a well earned rest
Nest day, the start of the walk as we pass by some old specimen trees in Aira Force arboretum, created by the Howard family in 1846
The arboretum contains over 200 specimen conifers from all over the world
Aira Beck
Having passed by Aira Force, we continue beside the higher falls...
We emerge onto open fellside
Looking back along the path, with Ullswater unseen beyond the woods
After traversing the fellside for a short distance we turn right at the line of trees to start the ascent of Gowbarrow Fell
Looking back
Ullswater begins to appear as we gain height
Blencathra on our left
Another view back down the easy path, with Dockray in the distance
Ullswater and the eastern fells
The summit of Gowbarrow Fell, known as Airy Crag - Little Mell Fell is in the background
After a rather dull moorland section, we head in the direction of Ullswater, with ever improving views as we round corners in the path
Looking across Swinburn's Park to the foot of Ullswater
Hallin Fell on the far side of the lake
The best part of the walk is just around the corner...
The head of Ullswater, and the viewpoint at Yew Crag below
Head of Ullswater from Yew Crag...
...and now looking to the foot of the lake
A heavenly section along the terraced path....
Aira Point jutting out into Ullswater
The path descends gently back towards the visitor centre
Back in Aira Force arboretum, a sitka spruce
We cross the bridge over Aira Beck, and the end of the walk is just around the corner
