Get Lost Mountaineering

Louth to Hubbard's Hill, Welton Vale & Cow Pasture Wood

Start/Finish

As close as possible to the foot of Westgate Fields which are on the B1200 road into Louth. There is no car park but it isn't usually difficult to find on street parking nearby. It is worth leaving time to wander around Louth which is a traditional market town with some very pleasant shops and places to eat as well as several market days each week.

Distance/Time

11 km    About 3 - 4 hours

Peaks

No obvious peaks but the highest point is where the route leaves the minor road for Jack's Furze.

Explorer 282: Lincolnshire Wolds North

Introduction

No one would claim that any part of Lincolnshire is mountainous but walks on its gentle rolling hills are enjoyed by many. This walk includes the very scenic Hubbard's Hill as well as some open country. Hubbard's Hills is actually a miniature valley with a cliff at its lower end. If there were more cliffs, it would be a gorge. There are toilets in Hubbard's Hills and a cafe. Welton Vale is a pretty woodland. There are supposed to be the remains of an old whalebone arch on this route but none were spotted. Local knowledge suggests they may be near to a path junction where there is a bench but not much of them remains.

Route

(1) Enter the bottom of Westgate Fields and follow the obvious path up to reach a minor road. Turn right towards a large white house which no longer seems to be lived in. Notice a path just above the road on the left. Take this path which becomes the upper path through Hubbard's Hills before ending at the top of some steps. Go down the steps to reach Hubbard's Hills car park. An alternative is to take the lower path by the river which goes past the toilets and cafe.

(2) Walk along the road to pass under the obvious bridge on the Louth by pass. Soon after, go up some steps on the right of the road then go left to follow a faint path which shadows the road. Soon after, turn right onto a more obvious path which heads towards a large tree. Go through a gate and follow a very obvious path gently uphill for about 1 km until you go left at a sign post. Follow this path gently uphill to reach a private road. Cross over and keep going to reach the public minor road from Hallington. Go up the road for about 300 m to where a track goes off to the right. Follow the track towards a wood, Jack's Furze, and pass down the right hand side of the wood. At the bottom, go through a hedge on the right, cross a small bridge and reach the busy A157.

(3) Cross over the A157 and take the footpath almost directly opposite which leads into Welton Vale. It is a pleasant path but becomes muddy when it turns into a track. Follow the main path/track passing a junction where there is a bench. Further on the path follows the outside of a wood and passes Heron Lake. Keep following the obvious path to reach a large gate. Pass through and ascend the field to the busy A631. Cross over and go through the gate onto an obvious footpath. Follow this footpath which slants uphill to pass some houses before entering Cow Pasture Wood. Follow the path through the wood then down past Pasture Farm to recross the bypass. Continue on the obvious path which soon becomes a path, passing Thorpe Hall farm before descending down to meet the B1200 road into Louth. Follow the road down, across the bridge over the River Lud to reach the foot of Westgate Fields.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 3rd March, 2025.