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Low Fell and Fellbarrow from Loweswater

Lake District Walk

Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Western Fells

Wainwrights - Fellbarrow, Low Fell

County/Area - Cumbria

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km    Ascent - 1800 feet / 545 metres

Time - 4 hours 50 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL4Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL4Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 90Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 90Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Low Fell and Fellbarrow from Loweswater
Click image to visit gallery of 12 images.

These two fells, both Wainwrights, lie between Loweswater and the vale of Lorton. Despite their modest height they offer the basis of an excellent Lake District walk with rather more ascent than you might imagine! Generally speaking the paths are grassy and easy to follow.

There is small space (Grid ref NY128217) on the south side of the road that runs along the northeast shore of Loweswater between Crabtreebeck Farm and the junction for the track to High Mosser. With only enough space for two cars you may have to use the larger parking area at the northern end of Loweswater (Grid ref. NY120222). After parking walk along the lane and take the track (unsuitable for motor vehicles) signed to Upper Mosser. This track climbs steadily above Loweswater offering improving views of the surrounding fells. Ignore the first gate on your left with a dilapidated stile but continue a short way further to locate a footpath sign and stile on the right.

Cross this and bear left across a small beck and start to climb steeply with the field boundary on your left. Please note the path does not follow the theoretical line shown on OS maps. Reaching the fence at top, turn right and continue to climb onto the summit of Darling Fell. As with all the summits on this walk there are some good views to be enjoyed. Continue east, with the path dropping steeply to Crabtree Beck. A plank across the beck enables you to cross with dry feet. Continue along the fence climbing steeply onto Low Fell. As you get higher, there are a number of paths taking a direct line to the summit. However the obvious route is the best, climbing steeply to reach the high point and then turning right to the cairn on Low Fell's summit.

The view is superb with the fells around Crummock Water and Buttermere grabbing your attention. However this is not the best view. Descend southeast for a short way to reach another cairn. This is perched on top of a small crag and offers one of the great panoramas of Lakeland. Having enjoyed the view, retrace you steps along the main path and continue in a northerly direction over the highest point of Low Fell. The path is clear and reaches the path coming up from Thackthwaite (Grid ref. NY138230).

Go through the gate and bear half left following the path across the flank of Sourfoot Fell. Then follow the fence over Smithy Fell and make the final climb to the summit of Fellbarrow. The summit is unremarkable but does offer some fine views especially across the Solway Firth into Southern Scotland. A feint path can be picked out heading west-south-west and this becomes easier to see as you descend. Do not worry if you lose the path as the descent is over grass. Quite soon you are able to see into the valley to the south and you can adjust your line to reach the short track by the marked sheepfolds leading onto Mosser Lane (Grid ref. NY122238). No fences need to be climbed with a gate providing access to Mosser Lane.

Turn left along the lane and return to the start. The descent is a delight with a wonderful ahead as you gradually drop down to the shores of Loweswater.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3676 Hen Comb from Loweswatermoderate5.4 miles
Walk 1290 Mellbreak from Loweswatermoderate7.0 miles
Walk 2021 Whiteside, Hopegill Head & Grisedale Pikemoderate7.5 miles
Walk 1231 Grasmoor via Whiteless Pikemoderate7.0 miles
Walk 2020 Rannerdale Knotts and Crummock Water from Cinderdale Commoneasy/mod2.5 miles
Walk 2539 Grasmoor and Rannerdale Knottsmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1142 Buttermere Circulareasy4.5 miles
Walk 2609 Grasmoor via Crag Hillmod/hard8.0 miles
Walk 2735 Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere Circularmod/hard8.5 miles
Walk 1082 Ennerdale Horseshoesevere18.0 miles

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