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

The light and cloud formations were changing all the time - this is Crummock Water and Rannerdale Knotts

Reluctantly I left the summit to make the steep down and up to Darling Fell, following the line of the fence all the way

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