Swineside Knott

Swineside Knott

Eastern Lake District

Route: Swineside Knott

Area: Eastern Lake District

Date of walk: 27th March 2016

Walkers: Andrew Gilly and Tom

Distance: 6.0 miles

Ascent: 1,300 feet

Weather: Some bright spells but often appalling with gales, hailstorms, rain and sleet

On this Easter Sunday we decided to visit a quiet area in the eastern fells in order to avoid the bank holiday crowds. We parked near the Royal Hotel in the village of Dockray and walked out onto Watermillock Common, taking a faint path uphill to the col between Bracken How and Round How. Whilst following the wall along the flanks of Common Fell we had our first dose of bad weather – a hailstorm swept in, stinging our faces and causing us to take shelter behind the wall. We’d brought full winter gear and it was all needed, as the wind chill factor was considerable

The views of Ullswater from the path to Swineside Knott were superb, though were often lost in the weather. Eventually the path headed away from the lake in the direction of Glencoyne Head and we descended a very juicy path down Watermillock Common to the remote hamlet of Dowthwaitehead, where there was an improvement in the weather. From there we followed the valley path back to the start

The photos which follow don’t do this walk full justice as the camera had to be stowed away much of the time. I’d like to return here in better conditions as the scenery is beautiful throughout

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