Home » Routes » Europe » England » Lake District National Park » Lake District's North Western Fells » Walk up Low Fell and Fellbarrow

Walk up Low Fell and Fellbarrow

By Emma Knipe   

on August 15, 2019    4.5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – England, Europe, Lake District National Park, Lake District's North Western Fells

Walk up Low Fell and Fellbarrow

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Starting in Thackthwaite village, this easy route climbs two of the lesser known Wainwrights.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

7.71 km

Ascent

432 m

Time

2.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Thackthwaite

Difficulty

Moderate Walk

Hazards

None noted

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Lake District Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Low Fell and Fellbarrow Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Low Fell and Fellbarrow

The Lake District’s North Western Fells of Low Fell and Fellbarrow are often mistakenly dismissed; there are higher and more dramatic fells close by, but these lesser known Wainwrights offer some of the best views in the Lake District. Starting in Thackthwaite, a tiny village in the northern Lakes, the route follows an easy footpath to steadily zig-zag up across the moorland. As you approach the north top of Low Fell, the Buttermere Fells, Crummock Water and Grasmoor suddenly come into view and it’s a spectacular scene. The highest point is Low Fell at 424m, with views across the valley towards the surrounding fells of Grasmoor, Hopegill Head and towards the High Stile ridge.

Walk up Low Fell and Fellbarrow Route Description

1. From the parking layby, head south along the road into Thackthwaite village. After passing a few cottages, the village noticeboard and a “Welcome to Thackthwaite” sign comes into view.

2. A few metres after the sign, there’s a driveway and public footpath sign. Turn right, following the direction of the signpost and continue across a driveway to reach a narrow, rocky footpath.

3. Follow the footpath through the trees to reach a wooden swing gate.

4. Go through the gate and continue on the footpath to reach the other end of the farming field. Go through the second swing gate.

5. Follow the grassy path alongside the fence to the far end of the field. Go through the gate and immediately turn right. Don’t forget to look back as Grasmoor, Crummock Water and the Buttermere Fells come into view.

6. The wide track gradually bears around to the left and climbs the hill side. As the path narrows, go straight ahead, between the fence posts.

7. Follow the path as it zig-zags upwards to reach a wooden gate (bonus points if you can spot the dog in this photo!)

8. Go through the gate and follow the path across the moorland, with the mountain tops and Crummock Water soon coming into view, proving why Low Fell is a favourite walk of so many hikers.

9. The path bears right and climbs towards a fence line.

10. Go over the stile and continue upwards. The view is spectacular, looking at Mellbreak on the right and Grasmoor on the left, with the Buttermere Fells in the background.

11. The path almost levels out and crosses the moorland to reach a pile of rocks, which marks the summit of Low Fell.

12. Retrace your steps back to the stile.

13. Go over the stile and continue back along the footpath to reach the wooden gate.

14. Go through the gate and immediately turn left.

15. Keep right at the fork. The path bears right and then runs alongside a dry-stone wall and a fence.

16. Ignore the right hand fork and continue following the wall and fence. After a short descent, the path climbs for the final push to Fellbarrow.

17. The summit is marked with a trig point on the other side of the fence. There’s a stile next to the trig point so you can hop over the fence.

18. Go back over the stile and turn left, continuing alongside the fence. The grassy path drops down and bears right towards a dry-stone wall.

19. Take the very faint right hand path a metre or two before the wall.

20. Heading south/south-east, the destination is the original path taken to Low Fell. In the winter months, there are various footpaths forking off through the bracken, all leading to the ditch where the paths join. In the summer these footpaths are hard to find so instead, follow the grassy path as it bears right, staying above the bracken.

21. Continue following the path around the edge of the ferns. It eventually drops down towards the initial path to Low Fell.

22. The paths join just after the ditch. Turn left and retrace your steps along the wide track.

23. Turn left through the gate.

24. Follow the fence line down and go through the swing gate.

25 Continue through the second field to reach the gate. Go through the gate and follow the footpath to return to Thackthwaite.

26. Turn left at the road and the parking layby is on the right hand side.

 

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Starting in Thackthwaite village, this easy route climbs two of the lesser known Wainwrights.

This walk includes the 2 Wainwrights of Low Fell, Fellbarrow – Mosser Fell

Route Start Location: Thackthwaite

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
7.71 km 432 m 2.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

None on route or start, but pubs and hotels in nearby villages with the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater and the Wheatsheaf in Lorton.

Hazards

None noted

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : CA13 0RP

Very limited layby parking just north of Thackthwaite. There is only space for 4-5 cars so get there early.

Public Transport:

None

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Lake District Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

We recommend either the Lakeland Fellranger series by Cicerone or the Wainwright’s Illustrated Walking Guides to the Lake District.

Please rate this

Emma Knipe

Based in the Lake District and with frequent trips to Snowdonia, Emma spends most days in the mountains. She splits her time between leading group hikes, volunteering with the National Trust, mountain biking, hiking with the dog and planning the next adventure.

More Posts by Emma Knipe

Leave a Reply