Black Fell – Lake District Walks
January 29, 2021
Black Fell in the Lake District is our closest Wainwright fell. Â I mentioned in our Hawkshead Walks post that we might start climbing (or bagging) what is considered the “Wainwright’s” – however I have never understood walking just for the sake of getting to a peak. Â I’m an explorer and I crave seeing new things…it’s about the journey as well as the amazing views at the destination. Â We’ve decided to use Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides to the lakeland Fells as inspiration and a “suggestion” for a walking direction. Â On reading the guides I’m discovering so much more than the top of a fell – the smaller details on the journey are just as delightful as the views from the top; a lone rock, a cave, a hidden tarn, the view from a specific spot, an archway. Â All are welcome diversions on our walks and an opportunity to capture the feeling through photography to share with everyone.
Black Fell - know before you go
Onto the task at hand. Â Black Fell. Â It’s possible to do a lovely 11.5km circular from our door in Hawkshead to the fell, which entails 325 metres of total ascent. Â Just a “snack” walk in Lakeland terms.
Black Fell stands at 1056 feet (322 metres) and stands alone, making the views from the top particularly good. Â From reading up in our Wainwright first, we knew we were aiming for the highest point of Black Crag, but also not to forget the south-eastern cairn, which was “falling into disrepair” according to Wainwright, but which has happily been rebuilt and is looking like a proud little brother to the higher trig point at Black Crag.Â
The circular route for Black Fell
From Hawkshead, we took the route up past Iron Keld and to the edge of Arnside Plantation. Â It’s one of my favourite places to walk from Hawkshead because from here the mountain ranges behind Ambleside and out to the Helvellyn range really open up giving the most breath-taking views.
The summit and View
The view from Black Crag really was far-reaching and spectacular.  The late-afternoon light on a particularly clear day only enhanced the experience. The route down took us past The Drunken Duck Inn and as the sun was setting we could only feel a little sad that we were unable to pop in for a pint and a warm-up by the fire. Next time…I’m sure we’ll be doing this fell again.
The next time...March 2024
We’ve just visited this fell again, over 3 years later. Â It’s now a regular hike for us as it’s the closest “Wainwright” to Hawkshead and one we can walk to from our door. Â We’ve taken several different routes up, but our favourite down is via the Drunken Duck. Â We almost always pop in for a lunch or just to warm up (or dry off) by the fire with a pint of their very lovely “brewed-on-the-premises” selection of Barnsgate beers. Â It never disappoints.
Join us for our walk...
I’m always delighted when I discover new things on walks that I’ve done many many times. Â On this occasion I found the “seat” on the south eastern cairn of Black Fell. Â I looked because I re-read Wainwright’s chapter on Black Fell and he mentioned there used to be a seat….and there it was.
Nice movie , next time we are up there we can try it xx