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Longlands Fell, Lowthwaite Fell, Little Sca Fell, Great Sca Fell & Brae Fell from Longlands

Start/Finish

Rough car park at bottom of hill just to SW of Longlands where there is room for a few cars on a wide corner by a small stone building.  From Keswick, find the roundabout at the junction of the A66 and A591 (Carlisle).  Take the A591.  Follow it past the Applethwaite turnings, Dodd Wood and the Ravenstones Hotel.  About half a mile past the hotel, leave the A591 and take the right fork signed for Orthwaite.  Go through Orthwaite then ahead at the next crossroads, signed for Caldbeck.  Go up a hill then down the other side to the parking corner just before the buildings at Longlands.

Distance/Time

7 km     About 3 hours

Peaks         

Longlands Fell, 483 m, NY 276 354.

Lowthwaite Fell, 509 m, NY 278 347.

Little Sca Fell c 630 m, NY 291 343.

Great Sca Fell, 651 m, NY 291 339.

Brae Fell, 586 m, 289 352.     OS 1 : 50 000, Sheet 90.     OL4 North Western Lakes.

Introduction

This is a fine short walk and has excellent views on a clear day.  It can easily be accomplished on a short winter's day and is not too taxing in winter conditions.  Views include Skiddaw (not often seen from the north), Knott, High Pike and Carrock Fell.  On a very clear day, even Criffel, across the Solway Firth, can be seen.

Route

(1) Go through the gate where the bridleway starts just up from the corner.  Immediately, turn right and follow a path but soon leave it to gain the obvious ridge ascending SE.  In clear weather, a path should be seen much higher up going to the obvious top.  Head up the ridge but don't drift too far to the right or the summit will be missed!  There is a reasonable path on the ground.  Eventually, the gradient eases and a small plateau is reached where a medium cairn marks the summit of Longlands Fell, 483 m.

(2) Continue SSE, losing a little height then ascending a track to a larger plateau where there is no cairn but this is the summit of Lowthwaite Fell, 509 m.

(3) Continue on the track which descends roughly SE to Broad Moss then ascends to join a more obvious track which leads to a medium cairn which is the summit of Little Sca Fell c 630 m.

(4) Continue, roughly S, on the track losing little height then ascend to a medium cairn, at a crossroads of paths, which is the summit of Great Sca Fell, 651 m.

(5) Retrace to Little Sca Fell then continue, slightly W of N, still on the track, descending to a barely noticeable col before a miniscule ascent leads to a medium cairn and shelter cairn which is the summit of Brae Fell, 586 m.

(6) Continue down, roughly NNW, on the track initially but it can be harder to follow lower down.  Reach the Cumbria Way just to the E of the intriguingly named Charleton Wash and follow the track W back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 3^rd March, 2015.