Walk Description

Today’s walk over Place Fell is one that I really should have done ages ago.  We had an early start from Barrow and unfortunately all the fell tops were shrouded with cloud.  As we drove through Bowness the rain began and we were into the cloud well before we reached the Kirkstone Pass. Any ideas that we had had about climbing Caudale Moor were swiftly discarded and we decided to head for Patterdale.  It was very eerie driving past the empty car parks at the Kirkstone Inn, the heavy cloud had reduced the visibility to almost zero and a high fell walk did not seem to be a good idea.  As we drove down towards Hartsop we left the cloud and rain behind and a route for today’s walk was finally decided – we would park at Patterdale and climb Place Fell via Boredale Hause.  We would then continue northwards towards Howtown and catch the Steamer back to Glenridding.

As we walked through Patterdale the Village Store advert for hot baguettes proved irresistible to Steve – and after all who can resist the thought of 12 inches of hot Cumberland sausage first thing in the morning.  Suitably feed, we headed for the fells dressed for wet weather but it wasn’t long before we had warmed up and had to remove the waterproofs.  As we climbed towards Boredale Hause the clouds were trying to lift and every now and then we got a glimpse of the fells.  We then took the newly restored path up Place Fell.  I found this a bit steep and was soon trying hard to catch up with Steve.  When we reached Round How we managed to get a quick glimpse of Brothers Water and Ullswater, before the cloud swirled over us again.  We continued through the cloud until we reached the summit of Place Fell where we stopped for lunch. 

Whilst we were deciding which would be our best descent route the cloud finally lifted and we could clearly see the way ahead.  We decided to walk via Hart Crag and then to Loss Moss. Instead of following the path around High Dodd and down Sleet Fell straight to Boredale we decided to investigate the cascades and falls in Scalehow Beck.  We left the path and scrambled along the beck looking for the best views.  When we reached the lakeside path near Scalehow Wood, we decided not to walk straight back to Patterdale but to follow the path to Sandwick and then on to Howtown.  It was pleasant walking along the well made path, which by this time was fairly quiet, and we enjoyed watching the lambs gambolling in the fields.

 
As we entered Hallinhag Wood Steve noticed a couple of Pied Flycatchers in the trees and we spent a few minutes watching them and tried to photograph them as they flew from tree to tree.  Hallinhag Wood was delightful, with primroses and wood sorrel at every turn of the path.  Just as we were about to leave the wood, we met a small group of people who informed us that the Steamers had been cancelled because of an incident.  I couldn’t face the thought of walking all the way back to Patterdale and so we continued on our way to Howtown.  When we reached the pier, a quick phone call to the Ullswater Steamers confirmed that the ferries weren’t running, but a mini bus would take us and any other passengers back to Glenridding.

It had been a wonderful walk with mountains, waterfalls and lakeside views.  We had started out in low cloud and drizzle and ended up in glorious sunshine.  We had also had a tour of Ullswater from Howtown to Glenridding via Pooley Bridge courtesy of the Ullswater Steamer Company.  It was definitely a walk that I will remember for quite a while.

     

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.