A walk to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell.  This walk is memorable for its fabulous views of the head of Ullswater.

Route: Start at the NT car park at Aira Force and walk alongside Aira beck on the 'tourist' path to a footbridge.  Cross Aira Beck and continue upwards until a stile takes you out on to the open fell.  Follow the well-trodden path slanting up the fell until the memorial seat is reached.  Take time here to enjoy the views of Ullswater before contouring the fell, eventually reaching the ruin of an old shooting lodge.  Do not cross Collierhagg Beck, but head up the valley on the west bank before ascending to the summit of the fell on a rocky platform.  Now head south across the undulating fell to Green Hill, where, once again there is a superb view of Ullswater and the surround of mountains.  Head down a green track back to the starting point, but do visit Aira Force on the way.  When in spate, it is a spectacular sight.

Lyulph's Tower was built in the late 18th century and it is believed to have replaced an earlier castle, which stood on the same site belonging to a former Baron of Greystoke

Lyulph's Tower with Place Fell in the background

Gaining height, the views begin to unfold
In the foreground is Glencoyne Park, known as Gowbarrow Park in the time of William Wordsworth
At a bend in the road (NY 387190) is the spot where Dorothy and William saw the daffodils
that inspired the poem of the same name!

Ullswater ...

... and a close-up view

The memorial seat inscribed 'A Thank-Offering Oct 1905'

From the cairn above Yew Crag, there are views towards Pooley Bridge ...

... and Glenridding

From the memorial seat, the path contours the fell ...

... across a footbridge ...

... to the ruin of a shooting lodge

This building was intact when AW wrote 'The Eastern Fells' in the 1950's

The summit of Gowbarrow Fell
The wind is blowing hard, so I don't blame Beattie for laying down!

We reach Green Hill ...
... and are just about to be hit by a sharp rain shower!

But it soon passes and we are soon walking down a pleasant green path back to the car park
with those fabulous views in front of us!

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Comment from Gary
Derek - great photos.  We did Gowbarrow Fell last year, but did your route in reverse, on the descent Tim (our collie) fell into a bog, he was covered in black smelly mud up to his chin, he smelt awful!

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2008 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved

THE PICTORIAL GUIDES

The Eastern Fells
The Far Eastern Fells
The Central Fells
The Southern Fells
The Northern Fells
The North Western Fells
The Western Fells

The 214 Challenge