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. Â The late-afternoon light on a particularly clear day only enhanced the experience. Â Words cannot describe and so I defer to a panoramic video from the top:
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.
Nice movie , next time we are up there we can try it xx