The Loweswater Fells will not be in most peoples minds when they come to the Lake District to walk on the hills. They are situated in the extreme north western part of the high fell country away from the usual access points from the M6, or routes over the Pennines from north east England. Apart from their geographical position they do not by and large beckon walkers with limited time at their disposal by exhibiting great crags, or having attractive mountain tarns. With the odd exception ascents cannot be described as exciting, and the ridges are wide and mainly grassy but with heather in part. On Blake Fell and most of the others the merits are in fact based on the restful gentle sweep of the ridges which soothe rather than stir the mind. While Blake Fell may be the highest of these fells it does not dominate the others, and in fact hides behind Carling Knott on the Loweswater side. You have to approach it from the western fringes and especially by Cogra Moss to see it fully, and even then it's upper slope of screes is hardly imposing. All the fells south of Loweswater send ridges or shoulders towards the lake with Carling Knott and Mellbreak the most worthy of note. Mellbreak in fact is the odd man out here rising boldly from the shores of Crummock Water; and appearing as a steep craggy pyramid above the fields of Loweswater. Because of this it does have more visitors than the others, and the path up the screes of the northern top is proof of that. What is surprising is that despite looking directly down onto Crummock Water there is no path on the rim of the wide ridge between the two summits. In contrast to Mellbreak nearby Hen Comb and Gavel Fell have few redeeming features, though the former has a fine view to Buttermere, and Gavel Fell looks to Ennerdale Water. North of Loweswater and forming the western flank of the Vale of Lorton is the Fellbarrow range. This is a compact group of lower fells, and only on Low Fell is there to be found the distinguishing Lakeland characteristics of crag and scree. Here too can be found one of the finest views in the entire region between Grasmoor and Mellbreak of Crummock Water and Buttermere leading to Great Gable. The Loweswater Fells do not and cannot compete with the grander fells nearby. They offer us an alternative which once in a while will be just what is needed.

ROUTE ONE. BLAKE FELL FROM KELTON FELL VIA KNOCK MURTON.
3 miles 1700ft of ascent. 0.75 miles 650ft of ascent to Knock Murton.

   The walk begins on the north side of Leaps Beck using the former track to the Knockmurton iron ore mines. The fell of that name can be ascended from this track up Harris Side. Knock Murton is a hill that stands out hereabouts, and the summit boasts a good cairn. Go down the steeper eastern slope to a stile in the plantation fence, and follow the path down turning right up the one coming from Cogra Moss. Go ahead a few paces on the forest road before ascending by the fence left to Low Pen and High Pen. A good path circles round the Cogra Moss basin to Blake Fell. It makes for a pleasant if unspectacular round to go back down the fence, and branch off left over Fothergill Head for Gavel Fell. From the summit aim due west crossing Comb Gill, and traverse the hillside to reach the little top of Godworth. Descend the western slope to the fence junction, and follow the track down to the road at Cross Rigg.

ROUTE TWO. BLAKE FELL FROM LOWESWATER VIA BURNBANK FELL AND CARLING KNOTT.
3.5 miles 1725ft of ascent.

   Walk along the track towards the lake and Watergate farm. At the gate by the entrance to Holme Wood turn up the diagonal path on the left. Crossing old forest roads on the way it rises to join the terrace track from High Nook to Fangs Brow. Descend right to cross Holme Beck, and follow the track round the fell to a gate. Beyond the gate slant up the slope slightly to the right to join a narrow path that climbs the edge of the shoulder to a prominent cairn overlooking Loweswater. From here a more obvious path ascends a bank and crosses a broad plateau to the angle of fences that is the summit of Burnbank Fell. Somebody may know why stiles have not been provided in the fences to make access to Carling Knott easier! As it is go across the depression below Blake Fell south, and gain a little height before crossing the fence where suitable curving round east to the interesting top of Carling Knott. There are ancient cairns and some evidence of old tracks in the vicinity; while just along the ridge back towards Blake Fell are some fine rock striations. Cross the rough grasslands once more and the fence that runs below Blake Fell to the summit; where the shelter seems to have diminished recently perhaps to supply stones for a cairn overlooking Cogra Moss. Maggies Bridge can be reached on the return by going down the fence south east beyond the first angle before crossing it to descend the shoulder to High Nook. An old path in the bracken zig zags down to the sheepfold at the bottom. A longer route would be to add Gavel Fell on before descending it's north east ridge to the track down Whiteoak Beck.

ROUTE THREE. BLAKE FELL FROM KIRKSTILE VIA HEN COMB AND GAVEL FELL.
5 miles 2425ft of ascent.

   Leaving Church Bridge below the Kirkstile Inn  walk up by Kirkgate Farm towards Mellbreak. Follow the track round the corner into Mosedale, but go through a gate and drop down to the stream. A path ascends the opposite bank by the plantation, and curves towards the ridge coming down from Hen Comb. A low fence has to be straddled, and from this point there is a decent path all the way to the summit with just one more fence to negotiate. A path goes down south west to Whiteoak Moss, and after climbing another fence aim for Floutern Cop passing an old pit circle on the way. Go down the far side of the Cop and directly ahead along the fence turning right at the junction by the fence leading up to Gavel Fell. This fence continues down to Fothergill Head and then up to Blake Fell. A descent eastwards can be made to High Nook down the shoulder north east of Fothergill Head. An interesting old path winds down the lower bracken covered slopes to a sheepfold and by High Nook Tarn to the farm. Follow the lanes round from Maggies Bridge back to Kirkstile.

ROUTE FOUR. MELLBREAK FROM KIRKSTILE .
2 miles 1550ft of ascent.  To the north top it is 1.25 miles  1300ft of ascent.

  Go across Church Bridge and walk up the rough lane by Kirkgate Farm. After a double bend a short ride in the plantation ahead leads to a cross track from Lowpark, and the ascent continues directly opposite. Mellbreak does not deceive in appearance for the rough screes ahead are palpably visible and must be tackled. Over time paths have formed that wind across the stones, and by keeping well to the left escape will eventually be possible onto a little ridge. The path here rounds the gully to rejoin the main route which soon becomes more amenable as it reaches the face overlooking Crummock Water. It is now merely a steady climb to the double cairned north top; which unfortunately is not the highest part of the fell. A well formed if rather wet path links the two tops, but if time and energy allows cross the rough vegetation to the edge above the lake. It will mean a bit more climbing to reach the south summit, yet the grand views over the water to the Grasmoor fells are more than worth the effort. The simple way back is to carry on south down the ridge to Scale Knott to pick up the path back into Mosedale. Alternatively go all the way down to look at Scale Force, and then return to Kirkstile by the path alongside Crummock Water.

ROUTE FIVE. LOW FELL FROM THACKTHWAITE VIA FELLBARROW.
3.25 miles 1500ft of ascent. 1.75 miles 1100ft of ascent to Fellbarrow.

   A signpost in Thackthwaite points the way to Low Fell, and a slaty track leads to a point where the original route has been disturbed by gale damage so that the edge of the field has to be used for a time. At the intake boundary follow the grass track right round into a bracken filled hollow. This lovely path winds it's way to the ridge where for Fellbarrow turn right at the gate on a narrow and less delightful path. The ridge undulates over Smithy Fell an unremarkable top, before finally rising to the top of Fellbarrow with it's survey column trying to add some distinction to the bland surroundings. Go back to the gate at the head of the original ascent, and cross the stile to continue along the track. Bear left up the facing ridge, and over another stile to the highest point of Low Fell and of this little group of hills. The view from this ridge is a beauty all the way up the Buttermere valley towards Great Gable; with Grasmoor and the High Stile fells framing the scene. Continue along the ridge to the cairned top above Loweswater for more superb views, and the finest scenery of the fell itself. If Darling Fell is to be added to the walk go down by the fence between the two tops of Low Fell to cross Crabtree Beck and up the steep slope beyond. There is a path but the depression is quite a deep one. Darling Fell can be visited on the way to Low Fell from Loweswater by the lane to Mosser where a stile gives access to the fell. The best way down to Thackthwaite is the same as the ascent route. A descent might be made from Low Fell to the valley, but Lorton Vale is not blessed with footpaths.