Walk Description

On the final day of a glorious long weekend in Cumbria, Steve and I decided to have a short walk.  We set off from Barrow and drove to the car park at the Brown Howe picnic site.  We walked along the small unclassified road towards Tottle Bank and Stable Harvey.  We were accompanied on our walk through the woodland by a cheeky robin.   We also saw a number of chaffinches and wrens.  Just below Stable Harvey the views started to open up and as we turned off the road and onto to the footpath we could look back and see Top of Selside, at the other side of Coniston Water.

As we climbed higher the views became more extensive.  To the north we could see the Fairfield Horseshoe and north east of us, more and more of the Ill Bell ridge could be seen.  The Coniston Fells were clinging to their cloud cover.  The cloud on Wetherlam rose occaisonally to give us a tantalising glimpse of the summit.  We carried on upwards passing an occaisonal tree.  A short final stepped section brought us out onto the top of Beacon Fell.  It was then a very quick stroll to the summit cairn and its magificent views.

We left the summit and made our way down towards Beacon Tarn.  We took the path that led straight to the tarn, at one point we wondered what we had got ourselves into as the path narrowed and the drop to our right became almost sheer, straight down to the tarn.  However this section was soon over and minutes later we were strolling next to the tarn.  We stopped for lunch near some fallen trees on the south west side of Beacon Tarn.
After lunch we picked up the Cumbrian Way and followed it to the col between Beacon Fell and Fisher High.  Just before we reached Stable Harvey Moss we left the Cumbrian Way and turned east along the small footpath back to where we had left the road that morning.  We then retraced our footsteps back to the car park.  After removing our rucksacks and boots, we had a stroll through the picnic site down to Coniston Water.  This had been just the tonic that I had needed after the walk up Melbreak.  It hadn't been too long or too strenous and I had been able to enjoy the views without having to work too hard.
 

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.