Fix the Fells walk
Our heartfelt thanks to Andrew Leaney for donating this walk to us. Check out his website for more details and a map of this walk to Loughrigg Fell from Silverthwaite (opens in new window)
To Loughrigg Fell from Silverthwaite
Distance: 4 miles
Start: National Trust car park at Silverthwaite GR NY340,037 on the B5343 about 600 metres from the junction with the A593 at Skelwith Bridge.
From the car park cross the road and turn left. Follow the off-road path back towards Skelwith Bridge past the waterfall at Skelwith Force. (400 metres)
Once past the falls re-cross the road and walk for a short distance along the pavement before taking the signed footpath to Neaum Crag to your left. (120 metres)
Follow the path through the Caravan Park and over the hill past Crag Head to Loughrigg Fold where the path meets a single track road (1000 metres)
Turn left and follow the road for a short distance and you will see a path leading off to the right towards Loughrigg Tarn (140 metres)
The path leads you across the fields to the north of the Tarn towards The Howe where you join the Loughrigg Carriageway (325 metres)
Turn left and follow the old carriageway for about 50 metres before taking a narrow path off to your right which leads to a wooden gate. Turn left through the gate and follow the path which runs alongside the fell wall. (375 metres)
After passing through the next gate, walk on a few strides and turn right to follow the steep twisting path up towards Loughrigg summit. As the path levels at the top of the slope, take the opportunity to look back at the view of Elterwater and the Coniston fells. (475 metres)
Fix the Fells work
As you climb you may see the Langdale team working on a severely eroded section of path where at one point the path and the stream joined forces to produce a wide stony erosion scar. They are working to form a sustainable route following the original path line by combining pitching and drainage.
Further up the path the stream will be returned to its original course and the path reformed. Small cairns will help people locate the repaired route. There was little useable stone on site to reconstruct the path so around 150 tonnes was collected from the screes around the summit and flown down to the path in large black bags. You may see these placed along the route.
Picture: Upper section of the eroded path before work started
Upper section of eroded path before work started>
As the path levels out at the top of the hill turn left and follow the grassy path towards the rocky summit cairn. Enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding fells. (50 metres)
After your break, return to the grassy plateau and take the recently pitched path to the left heading south east. This short steep section of path was pitched by the Coniston team in 2004 and has grown in well to form a natural looking route.
Picture: The path as it neared completion in 2004
Path as neared completion in 2004>
Follow the well used-path heading south east towards the many small tarns at Black Mire. Here the path comes close to the fell wall again. Weather and strength permitting you can take a short detour to Ivy Crag and look down towards Windermere, before continuing down to join the Bridleway beside a small tarn (1400 metres)
Once on the bridleway turn right for Loughrigg Tarn and follow this route down the hill passing through two gates back to the carriageway and straight on to Tarn Foot (1300 metres)
This section of the Ambleside to Loughrigg bridleway had become very braided due to its popularity with both walkers and cyclists. This was having a detrimental effect on the many wet flushes along the route through trampling as well as erosion and soil loss on the drier sections. After consultation Fix the Fells decided to form a hard sustainable path using the inversion technique which was completed during the summer.
At Tarn Foot you will rejoin the single track road turn right until you reach the T junction (50 metres)
Take the road to your left down the hill towards Skelwith Bridge past the entrance to the Caravan Park. This is a quiet but narrow road with several sharp corners. (500 metres)
Picture: new bridge above Skelwith Force
New bridge above Skelwith Force>
Once back at Skelwith Bridge carefully cross the road and walk in front of the Skelwith Bridge Hotel to rejoin the off-road path which follows the river back past Skelwith Force and to retrace your steps to the car park. (650 metres)
On route you will see the impressive new bridge which has recently been built for users of the Cumbrian Way.
Public transport
You can give the driver a break by using the bus. Take the 555 bus from Keswick or Kendal to Ambleside, followed by the 10 minute long bus ride on the Langdale Rambler 516 bus from Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge Hotel. For details call Traveline (opens in new window) on 0871 200 2233.