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Little Mell Fell from Aira Force.

By Hugh Stewart September 24, 2018 Leave a Comment

This fine 8 mile round trip is nearly that devised by Bill Birkett in his book “Complete Lakeland Fells”, but with a pleasanter start through the wooded Aira Beck valley, and an easier route through the Little Meldrum plantation. Thus it misses out on two “Birketts”,  Green Hill and Little Meldrum. Note the walk is the best one to bag the Wainwright Little Mell Fell, and Gowbarow Fell (called Airy Crag by some) is likewise a Wainwright. The return via the balcony path overlooking Ullswater is one of the best non-ridge paths in the Lake District.

From the busy National Trust car park off the main road go upstream and cross it by the first bridge, to ascend on the east side of Aira Beck, which is much less crowded. An unusual huge L shaped branch from a large conifer will catch your eye, and wonder, “why?”.The wood is mainly of oak, and a delightful start to the day. After a long mile open country arrives, and a signed path right leads up the fell to the Trig point on Gowbarrow Fell, a great viewpoint for the eastern and northern Fells.

As the made path descends right, south east, a small branch goes left and up to a stile at the wall corner, then leads obviously over Great Meldrum and to a gate between plantations. Through (or over) this carry on to the corner of the Little Meldrum plantation and take the first break in it as you go round to the right. This leads rather boggily but easily compared with carrying on round, or trying to find Little M, to the northern edge, where a track leads over the ridge and turns north to join a road. The map unnamed Birkett Watermillock Fell, 424m, can be taken if wanted. A right on the road then a quick left leads to a steep ascent of the Little M Fell; Birkett returns the same way, but heading just south of east leads steeply down through bracken to a minor road just to the right of the only house on it.

The views across Ullswater and the distant Pennines are worth the slightly odd descent. Head South on minor roads to the B road and keep on down, till a signed path leads right and gradually ascends to the start of the Swinburn park wood, part plantation, part wood. This leads on to the splendid “balcony” path above Ullswater, becoming suddenly very popular at the Yew Crag corner.

Descend gently to the wood and path of the start. The ascent of these low fells together is a surprising  2,500 ft.

The conifer with odd branch
A view from Gowbarrow Fell to Little Mell Fell
View of the Helvellyn range and Fairfield from Gowbarrow.
Blencathra from the ascent of Little Mell Fell.
Northern Ullswater from the descent.
On the “balcony” path
Southern Ullswater from the “balcony” path.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: little Mell.gpx

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If you are enjoying my content please consider supporting my passion by purchasing one of my books. Many thanks, Hugh.

Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

Note, this is now fully described in the Second Edition of "Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations", 2014, walk 1b. If the long Langcliffe Scar track does not appeal, but a bit more hillwork does, try this start: as per the book, walk 1, but at the Malham/Settle road turn right … Read More » about Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

Another plague walk which we could do from home, and although this seems to be a popular walk for locals, we had never done it, and decided to do it both because of that and as we thought it would be less popular and hence less boot-churned muddy than others round Caton and the Bowland Fells. The … Read More » about The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

I.e. avoiding any crowds parking there. Start at Little Cragg car park and go down the road, turning right to go over the top of Baines Crag for your first view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. At the road go down then left over the first ladder stile and cross the infant Condor by stone or … Read More » about A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

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