Get Lost Mountaineering

Melbreak from Loweswater village

Start/Finish

Small car park, by an old red phone box where the road to the Kirkstile Inn leaves the road to Loweswater (lake). If starting here, walk to the Kirkstile inn. One alternative is to drive down this road to the Kirkstile Inn but turn left at the inn then fork left where there is space for about 2 cars about 20 metres down the road. There is usually plenty of space at the Kirkstile Inn but this would require permission from the Inn.

Distance/Time

10 km   About 4 – 5 hours

Peaks

Melbreak, 512 m, NY 149 186.    OL4 North Western Lakes

Introduction

This is a strenuous walk with both a steep ascent and steep descent both of which have considerable exposure in places. The views are magnificent in all directions. The walk back alongside Crummock Water is a pleasant ending to the walk.

Route

(1) From the bridge below the Kirkstile Inn, take the right fork signed for Mosedale. Follow the road to Kirkgate Farm then the track around the farm to reach a wood. The track to Mosedale goes right but this route goes straight ahead on an obvious straight path through the trees. Reach a grassy plateau where the route goes left and soon starts to climb steep scree. Follow the obvious route up with considerable exposure in places. Eventually the angle eases and a medium cairn is reached which is the summit of Melbreak, 512 m. There is another, slightly lower, cairn close by.

(2) Descend roughly south on an obvious path to a grassy col then up the other side to the south top where, in 2024, its summit was marked by an old iron fence post.

(3) Continue down until the path spilts and a fainter path goes off left onto a flatter area which becomes a ridge descending by Scale Knott. Lower down this ridge, keep to the right until some old iron fence posts can be found which lead down, on an old path, to the main path in the valley bottom. Alternatively, stay on the main path and reach the valley bottom further upstream then follow the path downstream.

(4) Follow the main path alongside Crummock Water. It can be wet and boggy in places but walk has been done to improve it. Soon reach a small peninsula called Low Ling Crag which, on a nice day, is a lovely place to have lunch. The peninsula leaves the main path below the prominent High Ling Crag. Rejoin the lakeside path and follow it almost to the foot of the lake where a gate gives access to a pebble beach, a popular spot on a hot summer's day. A path leads up from here which leads to a track which passes some houses and soon becomes a road which leads to the bridge below the Kirkstile Inn.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 30^th July, 2024.