Two Wainwrights above the Vale of Lorton

A 4.7 mile moderate walk with 1450ft of ascent

We got just back from a short break in Keswick staying with our friends the Graham and Judith. 

As a contributor of over 30 walks to the Walking World Website since 2008 I found a gap in their coverage of over 5000 walks above the Vale of Lorton in the Lake District.  I remember this walk well, as I undertook it with Geoff Fielding in snow in January 2011.  You can find more detail here in my Wainwrights On The Air Blog. 

On this walk I was accompanied by my wife Judy and friends Graham and Judith. We parked at Thackthwaite, a hamlet on a quiet lane where there is parking under some trees for around six cars. 

The route over access land is well used by fellwalkers - although not an official right of way
there are stiles and gates at every fence line

We had a showery day and it rained when we reached our first summit of Fellbarrow, which is ranked as the 199th highest of the 214 fells.  After a brief rest stop and a few ham radio contacts for Wainwrights On The Air, we made our way via the access land over the minor summits of Smithy Fell and Sourfoot Fell before topping out at Low Fell, which is the 196th highest of the 214.

From here we had an excellent view down Crummock Water and the distinctive Mellbreak summit on its western shore, behind the group in the photo. 

Judith, Graham and Judy on Low Fell with Crummock Water in the background

We made our way back down via Watching Crag to rejoin our original path at a gate.  We had walked at a leisurely pace, and with breaks and the time on the radio from both Wainwrights the whole walk took us three hours all told.  

Phil making contacts on VHF for Wainwrights On The Air

It was only 1.30pm when we finished, so we retired to the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater for some lunch. The Cumberland Tattie Pot is recommended. 

Full details of our walk route can be found on the Walking World Website under Walk Reference 6398 when it is published later this month.