Loughrigg Fell

'Sunday stroll up the smallest central fell'

Date: 15 Jan 2012                                           Start time: 10:37

Start point: Silverthwaite Car Park, Skelwith Bridge - NY342036

Walkers: Mark Illingworth, Emma Lever

Distance: 6.09miles                                         Time: 3:40:23

Route: Take the uphill track behind the car park hut that at first seems only a gateway into private residence. The track right goes uphill over the west shoulder of Little Loughrigg. A spring to your left is followed by the path veering right. At the wall behind the white house, follow a narrow lane left and join a tarmac road. Follow road left to a stile on your right. Head across the pasture, which falls into the western end of Loughrigg Tarn, towards a wall stile. Over the stile, head uphill slightly right to a gate which joins a lane running above the tarn. Turn left up the lane then join a path branching right which runs north-west following a wall until you pass through a gate into a small enclosure with with a stepped path and neighbouring stream showing the way unhill in a east-north-east direction. The path turns from pitched steps to a grassy slope and you reach an opening with a large cairn. Turn west to make the obvious short climb to the summit top. From here walk north-north-west towards Ewe Crag for views of Grasmere to north-west. Retrace steps to summit trig point and continue south-east with slight decline to Ivy Crag for views of Windermere. From Ivy Crag's highest point, drop south and join the grassy path following a dry-stone wall. Follow the path south to a bridleway. Turn right (west) on bridleway and follow to a gate. The path becomes a lane and you head in front of the cottage on your right hand side. The lane forks with both prongs going to the same road - you turn right then follow the next left left downhill on the steep access road to Neaum Crag Caravan Site. You continue to Skelwith Bridge, emerging opposite the hotel, turn right and cross the road to follow a path towards Elterwater which drops into a woodland trail that passes Skelwith Force Waterfall. Follow the path into the field alongside River Brathay until a path breaks off north-east past a large tree towars the wood and the road, which you then cross to the car park.

Weather: Minus degree start with a lot of ice on pathways. Bogs ans pools on Loughrigg Fell top were frozen over, with some thick enough to walk over. Skies were largely blue with some scattered cloud. There was no rainfall, but greyer clouds were clinging to some of the higher tops to the west beyond the Langdale Pikes. Temperatures didn't get much above freezing. A stiff icy breeze on the fell top was blowing from what felt like the south keeping things very cold and adding a rosy hue to our cheeks. The wind wasn't felt anywhere but the very top of the fell. The sun was low in the sky but large and bright.

Notes: The park authority ran car park isn't cheap but isn't extortionate. There is some parking on the road in Skelwith Bridge, but as ever in popular areas this is gone early on a Sunday.

Loughrigg Tarn offers a lovely view, especially from higher up where it gives a perfect reflection of surroundings on dry still days like this.

Loughrigg really feels like it is central to what the Lake District is all about. It isn't simple but can be accessed from many directions and towns and offers the feel of real fell walking without tiring you out. From all flanks of the vast fell top you get awesome views of the Lakes and a perfect view of some of the higher fells, notably the Langdale Pikes and Fairfield through to St Sunday Crag. My favourite view was the north to north-west aspect overlooking Grasmere - it was well worth the diversion from the summit to see this view.

Skelwith Force just off another stretch of the 'Cumbria Way' was a notable stopping point. Its location and easy access probably warrant its greater attention than nearby Colwith Force. This isn't as tall or exciting but impressive and powerful nonetheless. The bridges and boulders around allow for great access to take photos.