27/08/2015

Low Fell Walk, near Crummock Water - a hidden Lake District gem

A stunning evening walk up Low Fell, one of the Lake District's hidden gems offering some of the best views in the Lakes



Low Fell Walk, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Loweswater, Best Lake District view
One of the best photos of the day - view from the most southern end of Low Fell looking towards Crummock Water and the distant Buttermere fells as the sun goes down behind me. What an awesome evening summers walk this was.


Low Fell 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 - but as you will see - the views are immense and it's well worth a visit, especially on an evening summers walk.

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Medium (some steep hills but nothing to tricky)

Map, Route, Low Fell, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
On this walk we parked at Thackthwaite (which you get to through a narrow road) and headed straight up to Low Fell. Because we stayed until dusk - we decided to come back down the way we went up - but if the light wasn't fading we would have ventured down a different way - perhaps down to Oakbank.

Low Fell Walk in Pictures

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.

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.

Low Fell, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
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, although I need to stop and take a breather now and then - I'm not as fit as I think :-)

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


Low Fell, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
The first glimpse of Crummock Water on the way up Low Fell, and the first sign we are in for a treat with some impressive views when we get to the top of Low Fell

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 at the tops - but it's not completely flat up here - it's a little hilly and there are various summits marked by cairns.

Low Fell, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
Stunning views!

Low Fell View, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
The second Cairn on Low Fell, and the skies are starting to clear a little now and the distant peaks start to uncover

Looking down to another body of water - this time it's Loweswater

Low Fell, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
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 :)

Low Fell View, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
I'm so impressed by the view up here I get a bit snap happy and take quite a few pics :)

Low Fell View, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
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. 

Low Fell View, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View

Low Fell View, Crummock Water, Buttermere Walk, Lake District, Best View
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 family album :-)

Low Fell Walk, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Loweswater, Best Lake District view
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 decide to go back the 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!



Thanks for reading! If you have any questions - just post a comment.



Blog Post by Stuart Hodgson, 'The Hiking Photographer'

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