A round around Hallin Fell

28th November 2008.

Map: Landranger 90

Weather: Overcast, with a little sun late on.

From the road near Howtown, contour around Hallin Fell to Sandwick. Then along the shore of Ullswater contouring around the fell. Across to Howtown returning to the car via the base of Steel Fell, then up and down to the summit of Hallin Fell : a gentle 6 miles as measured on memory map.

Copyright OS-Click on map to enlarge, then hit the back button to return to blog

A gentle walk today as my walking compatriot had a bunch of new gear on and was testing out how 'hot or cold' she would get. The forecast was iffy today so we took a chance and drove up through Lancashire in bright sunshine and thought that this would be nice in the lakes. The further north I got, the bigger was the cloud bank over the North West. Now I'm no genius but I knew that all of that cloud was sitting over the Lake District. As we passed the turn off to Windermere and approached Shap the motorway fast lane had a layer of snow on it, and the flakes coming down were big enough. I thought about turning around, but persevered and as I got to Penrith the sun was breaking through - so lucky me again. We drove through the village of Pooley Bridge (lots of inviting pubs) having had good views up the lake from the ferry stop. The ferry journey from here takes either one or two hours, depending on which boat you catch. The views ahead showed low clouds on the higher fells but I could clearly see the big trig point on Hallin Fell. The road to Martindale is ok but quite narrow in places and our first stop of the day was to let a herd of sheep pass by, that were being driven along by a Land Rover – by the Sheppard not the sheep must have been rush hour as a stream of farm vehicles passed by, and we then didn’t see anymore until the car was parked up.

Come by then..

Looking along Ullswater, Hallin Fell to the left.

There wasn’t any parking at Howtown, unless you use the hotel, and I drove further along, crossing a cattle-grid before parking just before the zigzag road. After getting kitted out for a cold stroll we set off up the road and ahead of us we could see the snowline high up on High Raise. As we got higher the rain started and continued until we had got the waterproof trousers on, and then it stopped for the rest of the day – typical. Out of the sun it was chilly, so I had my four layers on and for a change today I didn’t break sweat (or wind). Up the road ahead was Martindale Hause (more car parking space) and from here the views open up a little with Fusedale ahead and Steel Riggs prominent. The head of the valley was covered in stormy cloud that was rolling in from the Helvellyn range to the North West.

Fusedale to the left, and Martinsdale to the right

The path contours around the fell

Further around now looking to the north – Gowbarrow Fell

The holiday cottage at Hallinbank

The walk took us gently around the contours through sheep grazed fields, with an ever changing vista ahead as we swung around the hill. We passed by the holiday cottages at Hallinbank, with there bright green mossy roof tiles – they look up towards Martindale, but they don’t have a pub to walk to at night (locally I mean). Across Ullswater I could see Goatbarrow Fell and Little Mell Fell, and the colours of the bracken and grass were splendid when the sun shone. Further around we could almost see Helvellyn, but it was hidden from view (just for a change) and I only had an occasional glimpse of Catstye Cam. The path took us down the hillside to cross a small beck by a stone bridge and then on to Sandwick – a remote hamlet of a few houses and no pub. There are signs saying ‘Private’ dotted along by the path to keep out trespassing picnickers at the weekend. It would be idyllic here in the summer to be beside the lake resting in the sun – no rest today though as it was too cold.

Sandwick Beck runs down to Ullswater

The shoreline at Ullswater

Approaching Hallinhag Wood

The shore side path reminded me of the path by Loch Lomond a little, with a few small ups and downs, over tree roots and boulders - but thankfully no where near as strenuous, although it was a little slippery on fallen leaves. We continued around the shore of Ullswater through the woods and then decided on a spot of lunch at Geordie's Crag with lovely views up the lake towards Hartside and Sheffield Pike. There was a steep rock slab that rises up out of the lake and provides a likely place to sit and ponder away the day. On a clear day the views up the lake must be wonderful, and we watched the steamer cruising along towards Glenridding. Behind us in the woods the outward bound people were busy chopping wood with a sharp axe. But none of them had three eyes so we felt safe enough, and suitably refreshed we made our way around Hallin Fell following the stony path gently up and down.

Cruising along towards Glenridding

A lunchtime view to the west

Looking to the north east end of Ullswater

The north side of Hallin Fell provides the steepest aspect and there don’t appear to be any paths to the top, but it doesn’t look inaccessible, just a little steep. As we moved around the hill the views now were up to Loadpot Hill across the valley and along the shore to the ferry point at Howtown Wyke. There wasn’t much wildlife out and about today, just the usual mix of crows, ravens, robins and dunnocks – no squirrels in the woods – probably too noisy. The route left the circular of Hallin Fell and moved down to the shoreline, passing the ferry point. It was empty today, but by the looks of the rails in place it must be busy in the summertime. I suppose you could park up at Glenridding, take the ferry across here, walk up Hallin Fell, have a picnic, and be back down to catch the ferry back – that would be a nice relaxing day, assuming the sun was shining. I got a couple of good shots across the bay that was sheltered from the wind, and then walked on past Howtown Outward Bound centre.

The path makes its way around the north east side of Hallin Fell

Hallin Fell from near the pier

A lovely peaceful scene looking across Howtown Wyke

Hallin Fell – the south side

A very green Fusedale

The route took us uphill to a path beyond the wall, and then cut back to the north along the base of the fell. I still couldn’t see the summit trig point from here as it is on the far side of the fell, but having done the full round Fusedale came back into view, still looking stormy on the higher ground. I was getting a bit fed up of a level walk so we made for Martindale Hause and crossed a few boggy fields back to the car. Here we had the luxury of dumping the bags in the car and walked back up the road to the broad grass path that leads up Hallin Fell. There are several routes up to the top, all of them grassy and not too taxing. As we ascended the views away to the west were ever improving, with Helvellyn still in the clouds, but Catstye Cam making an appearance now and again.

Looking up to Martindale Hause

Ullswater with Hallin Fell on the left

Martindale

Atmospheric clouds around Beda Fell

More drama above Place Fell

Catstye Cam peeking through in the background

The first view of Hallin Fell summit

The unfeasibly large summit cairn

A very peaceful view of Ullswater

The higher fells looked dramatic with their cloud cover and the sun trying to shine through, and once we were closer to the top we felt the chill wind blowing once more. The gradient eases towards the top and there aren’t any false summits really, as it’s not high enough. It was a gentle walk along grassy paths to finally come to the summit cairn which is out of all proportion to the size of the hill – marked as an Obelisk on the OS map! Wainwright said it was 12ft high, but now it is probably a little less, and I’m sure people have scrabbled up to the top of the cairn from time to time, dislodging stones as they go. You don’t need to climb to the top as the views around are great, and on a cloudless day you would need a map to name all that is in your vista. The late afternoon sun gave a lovely golden glow to the summit area and was a fitting end to a great little walk.

Helvellyn lurks amongst this lot…brrrrrilliant