Highlights

The Loweswater Fells – 5 Wainwrights

Cost: £35.00 (£99 with hotel and breakfast)

• ROUTE – Out and back
• DISTANCE – 9 miles
• TIME – 7 hours
• ASCENT – 1073m
• GUIDED – Walk with experienced Mountain Leaders
• DIFFICULTY – Hard (good hiking fitness required)

Join us for our first Wainwrights Series hike of the year! The Loweswater Fells, featuring five classic Wainwright summits, is a breathtaking Lake District adventure ideal for keen walkers seeking varied scenery, challenging ascents, and panoramic views from little-visited peaks.​

This circular walk starts and finishes at Maggie’s Bridge, near Loweswater village, covering approximately 9 miles with a strenuous 1073 meters of total ascent. Hikers first tackle Mellbreak, with its imposing north face and exhilarating climb offering outstanding views over Crummock Water and the Vale of Lorton. The route then leads on towards the remote Hen Comb, which stands alone across the tranquil valley of Mosedale.​

The Five Wainwrights

The walk takes in the following five Wainwright summits, each with its own character:​

• Mellbreak (512m): Dramatic, steep climb, iconic Lake District views.

• Hen Comb (509m): Solitary top with vistas towards Buttermere and Red Pike.

• Gavel Fell (526m): Wild mossy slopes and expansive panorama.

• Blake Fell (573m): Highest of the group; stunning views across to the coast and into the heart of the Lakes.

• Burnbank Fell (475m): A modest final summit with vistas north towards the Solway Firth.

We start early to make the most of daylight, with the toughest climb up Mellbreak for an immediate adrenaline rush and take on the rest of the peaks as a gradual traverse and descent, ensuring a rewarding and less punishing finish. The hike winds through a mixture of open fell, rugged scree, grassy ridges, and a return through tranquil woodland around Holme Wood.

Walk Highlights

• Challenging but highly rewarding circuit.

• Wild, unspoiled fells with fewer crowds than other Lake District classics.

• Changing scenery: steep crags, open moss, sweeping ridges, and lake shore.

• Ideal for ticking off five Wainwrights in a single day.

• Exceptional views over Buttermere, Crummock Water, and out to the Irish Sea​

This hike is perfect for adventurous walkers looking for real Lake District solitude combined with classic summits and unmatched landscape variety.