NORTH WEST
07 Place Fell, Cumbria
Distance: 7 miles/11.6km | Time: 4.5 hours | Grade: Challenging | Total ascent: 595m
Is there a better way to start a fell walk than with a boat trip across Ullswater? With imposing mountains shrinking boat and passengers into appropriate perspective, it’s hard not to be awed by this magnificent natural arena.
Judge for yourself by catching the ‘steamer’ from Glenridding to Howtown. Lakeside trails, autumnal woods and open fells then vie for your attention as you walk back via Place Fell. Keep eyes (and ears) open for the red deer that roam Lakeland’s eastern fringes.
1 START
From Howtown’s pier, walk the shore path, with the water on your right. Reaching a lane, turn right and then left through a gate. A short rise leads to another gate, beyond which you head right along the base of Hallin Fell, soon enjoying views across the lake. Keep to the lakeshore path through Hallinhag Wood, home to the Poetry Stones – moss- covered boulders inscribed with verse by poet Kathleen Raine.
2 1.4 MILES
The trees are replaced by meadows and a bridge is crossed over Sandwick Beck. Turn left along the lane through peaceful Sandwick and, just after the last building, take the trail on the right, climbing beside a wall.
3 2.2 MILES
About 0.5 miles beyond Sandwick, take the footpath rising left after a ford and immediately fork right (south-west). This winds its way up on to flatter, damper ground where it nearly vanishes.
4 3.3 MILES
Head south-west, passing a sheepfold and climbing to Place Fell’s trig pillar (657m). Perched on a jagged lump of rock, this airy spot provides a heartstopping perspective of the Helvellyn range across the valley.
5 4.1 MILES
Walk south along the fell’s western edge, watching for red deer on the slopes below. Even if they prove elusive, there’s a chance, in autumn, of hearing the roar of rutting stags. About 380 yards beyond the summit, bear right along a trail bypassing the rocky descent of Round How. On reaching a clear path, turn right, descending steeply on a partly pitched, zig-zagging trail.
6 5.1 MILES
Paths converge on flat ground near Boredale Hause. Keep right here to descend a stony path. Nearing some cottages, ignore a path to the right; instead, drop through a gate and turn right. Turn left between the buildings at Side Farm and follow the track to Patterdale.
7 6.2 MILES
Turn right, using roadside paths to return to Glenridding. A path just after St Patrick’s Boat Landing provides access to the shore and returns you to the Ullswater ‘Steamer’ car park.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
Catch the Ullswater ‘Steamer’ from Glenridding to start the walk from Howtown (01768 482229, ullswater-steamers.co.uk). There are pay-and-display car parks in Glenridding, including one at the pier, CA11 0US. Or catch the 508 bus from Penrith to Glenridding.
Terrain
Lakeshore, woodland, open fell with steady ascent but steep, stony descent, farm track and roadside trails.
Map
OS Explorer OL5
