Get Lost Mountaineering

Graystones, Broom Fell & Lord's Seat from Scawgill Bridge

Start/Finish

As close to Scawgill Bridge as possible. There is a small lay by below it which holds about 3 cars. If that is full, there is a forestry commission car park back up the Whinlatter Pass road. Both are on the route. Scawgill Bridge is on the west side of Whinlatter Pass about 2 miles west of the Visitor Centre. Whinlatter Pass, B5292, connects Braithwaite (just off the A66 to the west of Keswick) and High Lorton which can easily be reached from Cockermouth.

Distance/Time

8 km     About 3 – 4 hours

Peaks

Graystones/Kirk Fell, 456 m, NY 177 264.

Broom Fell, 511 m, NY 196 270.

Lord's Seat, 552 m, NY 204 266.

OS 1:25000: OL4 North Western Lakes.

Introduction

Apart from a very steep ascent from the start, this is quite a pleasant walk on grassy paths which are generally dry. There are 3 stream crossings which would be awkward in very wet weather. On a clear day, views are excellent especially to Dodd, Ullock Pike and Skiddaw as well as to Grisedale Pike. To the north, Ling Fell, Sale Fell and Binsey are well seen. On a very clear day, even Criffel can be seen across the Solway Firth

Route

(1) From the small lay by below Scawgill Bridge, go through the gate and head up through the old quarry to reach the edge of the wood where the path is unrelentingly steep. Eventually, the gradient eases after the wood is left behind. Soon after the path splits. Ignore the right turn and either go ahead up through easy rocks or around to the left; both routes soon rejoin. At the first level section, cross the wall and walk up easy slopes to the small cairn which marks the summit of Graystones/Kirk Fell, 456 m.

(2) There is a cairned N Top which can be reached by rejoining the wall a little further on then following it to its highest point when the cairn will be close. From here, follow a path roughly E. Soon, a wall converges from the left. Follow this down to the dip where there is a stile. Cross over and take the path, still roughly E, with the large plantation on the right. Follow the path up with a longish level section followed by a final ascent to a beacon cairn which marks the summit of Broom Fell, 511 m.

(3) A path, which soon crosses a fence, descends SW with another longish level section before climbing to a post next to a “square” on the ground which is the summit of Lord's Seat, 552 m.

(4) Descend roughly S on an obvious path to reach a stile. Do not cross the stile but go right on a fainter path and follow a fence. About 200 m before the plantation is reached, a path forks off right. Take this and follow it down to eventually reach a narrow gap between two plantations (the upper one, nearer Broom Fell, may not be shown on your map). The path goes down the gap with a wall on the left. A stream is crossed in the gap. Once through the gap, reach a broken wall. Go left and follow the path (can be wet) and soon recross the stream. Continue on the path and soon cross a more significant stream not far from the Darling How track. The path shadows the track for a while before joining it. Walk, roughly SW, along the track past Darling How (farm) to reach the forestry car park (after the barrier) or continue to the Whinlatter road then go downhill to Scawgill Bridge.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 25^th February, 2016.