Beda Fell and Hallin Fell – Lake District Walks
November 13, 2023
Beda Fell and Hallin Fell together? We don’t normally combine Wainwright’s fell tops, preferring instead to give each separate fell our full attention. However, wanting to climb up to Beda Fell, the best route was from its northern end and what can I say….Hallin Fell was right there. Also, the views from the top of Hallin Fell over Ullswater and in fact to Beda Fell itself, made the double-fell-top an absolute must.
A one-way hike to Beda Fell
Not a circular? We are going crazy on this walk. Normally firm believers in the circular walk, this is a one-way only hike. But how? you ask. Well, our walk to Beda Fell starts with a boat ride on Ullswater, What a great way to start a walk and we had the boat all to ourselves. Splendid.
We parked in Glenridding and took the boat from the pier to Howtown. The ferries are not that frequent, so anyone doing this should plan ahead (check out the Ullswater steamers website for ferry times). It was a very pleasant 35 minute cruise to our starting point (see our video below).
Hallin Fell
Hallin Fell is number 203 in Wainwright’s 214 fells, so in fact just a wee one at 1271 feet (387 meters). Described by Wainwright as the “motorist’s fell” as the “polished shoes of car-owners have smoothed to its summit a wide track seldom violated by fell walkers”. Hmm, I think Wainwright perhaps doesn’t like folk who are not fell-wanderers…or those who drive cars. It was a different era. I think Wainwright’s words give a clue as to the ease of the walk to the top of Hallin Fell. The views however are far greater than the height of the fell would give merit to (or the height of aforementioned heels).
Onwards to Beda Fell
On to to Beda fell, our primary reason for taking this hike. It is number 169 in Wainwright’s fells and 1664 feet high (507 meters)…not that much higher than Hallin fell as it goes. After descending Hallin Fell our walk took us to the very small hamlet of Martindale, with just a few houses, an old bridge over the Howgrain beck and the very pretty Martindale Old Church. Our climb to the top was along the north ridge over Winter and Allen Crags. An interesting and fun route to the top.
Things to see..
- Look out for red deer on top of the fells. We saw a stag while we were on the ferry.
- The very generous stone cairn on top of Hallin Fell (and the fabulous view)
- Martindale Old Church
- Bridge over the Howgrain Beck
- The view of Beda fell from Hallin Fell…and vice versa.
Love the video very interesting