“A simple and enjoyable walk, which ought to be, but isn't a popular amble for Cockermouth folk”
A Wainwright
A shorter days walking over two of the lower fells on the north western extreme of the Lake District National Park, although not the highest of fells a delightful walk taking in the delightful valley of Wythop, clad in ancient oak woodland with great views over Bassenthwaite and to Skiddaw.
The two summits on this walk both give very different viewpoints over the area, from the close cropped grassy summit of Sale Fell a wide panorama gives great views over Skiddaw, Bassenthwaite and as far as the Helvellyn range to the south east while the heather clad summit of Ling Fell gives fine views north over Cockermouth to the Solway Coast and on a good day across to the Scottish Lowlands.
“One very delightful feature of Wythop Wood is the presence of the lovely little roe deer, shyest of creatures. The new plantations are fenced off against them, but they have freedom to roam in the older woodlands”
A Wainwright
From the road near Brumstone Bridge in the Wythop Valley our route climbs the grassy slopes of Sale Fell, a short steep climb brings us onto the western shoulder of the fell above Dodd Crag and from here short cropped grassy slopes lead up to the fine summit of Sale Fell.
The views from the summit of Sale Fell are great, north over the Solway Plain and south over the Whinlatter Fells to Grisedale Pike and the Coledale Fells but it is as we walk east along the grassy ridge to the subsidiary summits of Rivings and Lothwaite that the views really open up.
Below is the slope drops down over the conifer woodland to Bassenthwaite Lake, across the lake is a fine view of the Skiddaw fells and to the south east we can see across Derwentwater to the high peak of Helvellyn.
A short descent from Lothwaite brings us down to the head of the Wythop Valley and a good track leads us into the old oak woodland of Chapel Wood and to the remains of the old Wythop Church.
After crossing the valley we climb to the old corpse road along the northern flank of Ling Fell before leaving this track to climb past the disused grouse butts to the trig point marking the summit.
A short descent to the north above Wythop Moss brings us down to the track that leads us back to the valley and a short walk along the lane back to our cars.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Brumstone Bridge, Wythop
Postcode: CA13 9YE
Grid Reference: NY 185 293
Directions
The Wythop Valley can be easily found, off the A66 between Cockermouth and Keswick, turn off the A66 at the crossroads near Embleton, turning south, towards Wythop Mill, follow this lane into the village of Wythop Mill and cross straight over the crossroads in the centre of the village. Continue on this road until a sharp bend is reached where the road crosses a bridge, there is a small car park on the left, we will meet here.
Bus Services
Thre are no buses to this location.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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