Route: Low Fell and The Kirkstile Inn
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 8th March 2014
Walkers: Andrew Gilly and Ellie
Distance: 4.5 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
We parked just outside Thackthwaite and when we arrived in the village we turned right along the path up the slopes of Low Fell. The views are usually superb along the way but it was overcast and visibility wasn’t particularly good
Our intention had been to go to the top and retrace our steps but as we walked a cunning plan formed in my mind – instead of walking back to the start, we’d descend to Loweswater, pay a visit to the Kirkstile Inn for ‘refreshments’ and get a lift back to the house from Ellie’s parents who were staying with us for the weekend. The chairman A Locking put this motion to the board of directors (G Locking and E Parrish) and it was carried unanimously and without debate. Excellent!
We still had to get to the top of Low Fell and this was a real struggle in the face of a gale force wind. Ellie had to crawl on hands and knees to touch the summit cairn. We’d normally have lingered here for a while to savour the fantastic views, but this wasn’t possible today. We beat a hasty retreat and made our way down to Loweswater and the Kirkstile, where we enjoyed some refreshing Loweswater Gold. Dizzy’s Taxis arrived bang on time to take us back to base. What a great walk and though I say so myself what a good plan
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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Ellie and Gilly risk being run over by a speeding squirrel as we enter Thackthwaite
Looking across Lorton Vale to Millbeck
The ridge line of Low Fell ahead
Whiteside
Herdie, with Lorton in the background
Crummock Water comes into view
Looking back over Lorton Vale
Whiteside, Grasmoor and Crummock Water
A steep section before we reach the summit ridge
Bonnie waits patiently for one of us to lift the dog gate
Crummock Water
South top of Low Fell ahead
It was blowing a gale on the summit ridge
Total chaos on Low Fell as Ellie crawls to the top, Gilly goes paragliding without a paraglider, and I try to hold the camera steady
There’s a better view from just below the south top, but we decided to beat a retreat asap
We turn left down the valley at the depression between Low Fell and Darling Fell ahead
Mellbreak and Hen Comb
Loweswater, the subject of yesterday’s walk
Ellie started sprinting at this point, and I was wondering why………
……until I saw the sign
St Bartholomew’s Church and The Kirkstile Inn
Crocus in the churchyard
Cheers
Back home after a great walk, and looking across the valley to Low Fell
