“The most southerly eminence has the main cairn and a perfectly composed view of mountain and lake scenery, a connoisseur's piece”
A Wainwright
One of the best lower level fell walks in the Lake District, easy walking and great views combine to make a great shorter walk suitable for all.
The views from the summit of Low Fell rank amongst the best from any of the lower fells of the Lake District, stunning views over Crummock Water and Buttermere are framed by the high ground on all sides.
“Southeast the view is of classical beauty, an inspired and inspiring vision of loveliness that has escaped the publicity of picture postcards and poets sonnets, a scene of lakes and mountains arranged to perfection”
A Wainwright
From Thackthwaite we climb the track up through the fields until we reach the intake wall and the open fellside, from here an old drove road climbs up the fellside, at an easy angle over grassy slopes towards the summit of Low Fell.
After a short while we will bear off this drove road towards the summit of Fellbarrow, reaching the ridge a short distance to the south of the summit and following the fenceline up to the trig point.
The views north from Fellbarrow are wonderful on a clear day, looking over Cockermouth and the West Cumbriain plain to the Solway coast and across the Solway to Scotland beyond, but these are not the best views of the walk, from the summit we follow the fence south to rejoin the drove road as it reached the main ridge leading to the summit of Low Fell.
The summit of Low Fell is not the best viewpoint of the stunning scenery to the south, a second slightly lower top to the south, marked by a cairn makes a much better viewpoint and is well worth the extra few minutes walk along the ridge.
The views south over Crummock Water and Buttermere are wonderful, encircled by the higher fells including Great Gable, Grasmoor and High Stile.
From the summit of Low Fell we follow the ridge north to rejoin the drove road back to Thackthwaite.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Thackthwaite, Lorton
Postcode: CA13 0RP
Grid Reference: NY 148 236
Directions
From Keswick: Leave Keswick on the A66 turning off at Braithwaite, following the signposts for Whinlatter through the village.
Follow this road over Whinlatter Pass and descend to Lorton, when the B5289 is reached cross straight over and just after the bridge take the first left following this lane to Thackthwaite. Parking is limited in the village, there is some parking on the roadside just before the village and again just beyond the last houses.
From Cockermouth: Leave Cockermouth on the Lorton Road, leaving town opposite Sainsburys. Follow this road through the village of Low Lorton turning right at the crossroads at the far end of the village. After the bridge take the first left following this lane to Thackthwaite. Parking is limited in the village, there is some parking on the roadside just before the village and again just beyond the last houses.
Bus Services
There are no bus services to Thackthwaite.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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