LOW FELL WALK – A LAKE DISTRICT STUNNER

 Low Fell for me is one of the best walks in the Lake District in terms if reward-to-effort ratio as the views are spectacular and some of my favourite in the whole of the Lake District. Not many people will have heard of Low Fell but for me it’s a must do Lake District walk. The hike to the summit can be relatively short compared with many fells, yet the views from the summit are outstanding.

From the top of Low Fell you are treated to a sweeping panorama across Crummock Water and Buttermere, with the dramatic ridge of Mell Break rising prominently on the right of the valley and Grasmoor to the left. On a clear day the view stretches deep into the western fells, creating one of those classic Lake District scenes where shimmering lakes, steep slopes and rugged mountains combine perfectly. For me the photographic compositions to be had is one of my favourites in the whole of the Lake District. It’s this sense of standing above the landscape, with such a vast view after a relatively straightforward climb, that makes Low Fell such a memorable and rewarding walk.

The best time to see the views from Low Fell is when the evening summer sun is setting behind you and illuminating the fells in front. Therefore a simple and quick route is ideal when the light begins to fade once at the summit

Low Fell SIMPLE Walk Route Map

Low Fell is not as popular as some of the more well-known Lake District fells, and it’s a little off the beaten tourist track, so there’s a good chance you will get the summit to yourself. The route I’m sharing is a pretty straightforward there-and-back route  – the simplest way to hike to the summit of Low Fell. The reason I’ve shared this particular route is it’s a gentler ascent and descent this way, and because I highly recommend doing this walk on an evening as the sun sets behind you and illuminates the fells in front of you for the best views. So to go back the familiar way you came when the light is fading makes sense as you will know where you are going and less likely to take a wrong turn. There are alternative routes to Low Fell which often include Darling Fell and Fellbarrow if you want more of a leg stretcher and have more time, and I have shared a longer route at the bottom of the page. Fo now though I’ll stick to the simple route.

On this short, there and back walk we parked at Thackthwaite (which you get to through a narrow road) and headed straight up to Low Fell via Smithy Fell. It is well worth going beyond the summit to the most southern edge to get the best views as you can see below. Because we stayed until dusk – we came back down the way we went up. You could make it a short circular by heading down to Oakbank from the summit but it’s a steep descent and not one to do in low light.

Low Fell Walk PHOTOS & VIEWS

We park at Thackthwaite on the road side about 50m after the small village, where there is space (and free parking) for about 5 cars. Due to the limited number of space I’d recommend starting from here late – or early!

Heading up through a farmers field to Smithy Fell, and the skies are a little cloudy, with the largest peak in the picture, Grasmoor shrouded in cloud.

Looking the other way towards the Lorton Valley and the beginnings of Whinlatter Pass and Whinlatter Forest centre right.

The first glimpse of Crummock Water. It doesn’t take long to gain some elevation on this walk.

Looking down to where we have just walked, with Lorton in the distance.

Looking back again – it’s all a fairly gentle sweeping approach up to Low Fell.

On this walk you get some fantastic views west towards the Irish Sea too, which we can just see in the distance

The first glimpse of Crummock Water on the way up Low Fell, and the first sign we are in for a treat with the sun light making an appearance

More views of the sun beating down on the Irish Sea and Solway Firth. You could actually see the rolling hills of Scotland on the other side of the Solway Firth, and a bit further south you could clearly see the Isle of Man.

There are a few summits on Low Fell and this is the first one we encounter, named Watching Crag. It’s easy walking now we are on the tops – but it’s not completely flat up here – it’s a little hilly and there are various summits marked by cairns.

Stunning views!

The summit Cairn on Low Fell, and the skies are starting to clear a little now and the distant peaks start to uncover. As mentioned the best views up here are on the slightly lower, most southerly edge of Low Fell – so we push on further.

Looking down to another body of water – this time it’s Loweswater

This Cairn marks the most southern point on Low Fell, and in my opinion the best views, so it’s time to sit down, soak up the views and have a bite to eat & drink

I’m so impressed by the view up here I get a bit snap happy and take quite a few pics

From a photographic point of view I love the way the flat pastures roll out, with Crummock Water framed by Grasmoor to the left and Mellbreak to the right leading your eye further to the distant Buttermere fells beyond.

We are quite lucky with the changing skies on this walk – they started off cloudy but now the fell tops are starting to clear and the sunshine is making an appearance.

One for the memories

As the evening sunshine now beams down on the landscape this is one of the best photos of the day – a magnificent view from Low Fell towards Crummock Water, and the distant Buttermere fells as the sun goes down behind me. What an awesome evening summers walk this was.

The sun is getting low in the sky now – so it’s time to head back. We go back the familiar way we came along the top of Low Fell and enjoy the last remaining sunshine of the day.

I keep looking back at the awesome view and see it change as the sun gets lower and lower. The moon even makes an appearance.

A nice warm glow on the fell tops

The last time we’ll see the sun on this walk – it’s time to get a move on now and get back to the car

The last glimpse of Crummock Water and the end of a simply stunning walk. If you haven’t walked up Low Fell before – add it to your walking list! It really is one of the best walks in the Lake District

LOW FELL CIRCULAR WALK VIA LOWESWATER & FELLBARROW

If you have more time for a walk up Low Fell, check out this route below, recommended to me by a friend (Cheers Scott Rush!). Hopefully I’ll do it one day and will do a separate blog post on it.