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Low Fell & Fellbarrow from Thackthwaite

Start/Finish

Side of the road parking just to the north of the hamlet of Thackthwaite, a few metres to the north of the gated tarmac drive leading to The Hill. There is space for about 3 cars with, perhaps, one more about 50 metres further south. All roads into Thackthwaite are narrow with few passing places but the shortest way in is from Lorton to the north.

Distance/Time

8 km    About 3 hours

Peaks

Low Fell, 423 m, NY 137 226.

Fellbarrow, 416 m, NY 132 242.   OL4 North Western Lakes

Introduction

This is a fairly straightforward walk with few, if any, difficulties. There are good paths all the way. Views are excellent and include the Blake Fell range, Melbreak, Grasmoor and even Skiddaw and Criffel as well as the coast.

Route

(1) From the parking spot, walk south to Thackthwaite, slightly uphill. Continue past most of the houses to reach the “Welcome to Thackthwaite” sign. The next drive on the right, next to a white house, is the start of the path. In 2024, there was a not very obvious .sign post. Walk up the drive then onto the narrow path between trees and hedges. Pass through some gates before emerging onto an open field. Continue up to reach a gate in a stone wall after which a grasy track goes right. Follow the track around the end of the north ridge of Low Fell then up some zig zags to a gate after which the track becomes a path and starts to undulate. Reach another gate then continue upwards to a medium cairn which is the summit of Low Fell, 423 m. It is worth continuing to the south top for even better views, including Loweswater, but there is a fair dip between the two tops.

(2) Retrace to the gate where the grassy track ended. The crag off tot he right is Watching Crag. From the gate, go left on a track traversing Souther Fell to reach a hollow which may be boggy. The path continues up and over Smithy Fell, by a fence. This hill may be traversed on its east side if wished. After descending Smithy Fell, continue up to the trig point which is the summit of Fellbarrow, 416 m. The best path is when the fence is on your left and there is a stile at the top to access the trig point. The distant hill across the Solway Firth (sea) is Criffel, in Scotland.

(3) Descend north to meet a wall. Do not cross it but go right and follow it down until the path, not very obvious, leaves the wall and goes through the ferns. It is actually quite a good path and leads down to join the outward track which is then followed back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 31^st July, 2024.