Walk Summary
An aperitif of Hallin Fell, with a main course of Wether Hill, Loadpot Hill, Bonscale Pike and Arthur's Pike. Stunning views on to Ullswater from Hallin Fell and from Bonscale Pike.
Date: 23/03/2022
Length: 10.87 miles
Height Gain: 796 m
Terrain: Boggy paths, grass paths, stony paths
Navigation: Tricky sections (see map). Map and compass required.
Start: Off-road parking near St Martin's church, Martindale.
Route: St Martin's Church, Hallin Fell, Steel Knotts, Wether Hill, Loadpot Hill, Bonscale Pike, Arthur's Pike,
Map: OL5 The English Lakes North Eastern Area
Weather: Hazy sun
Walkers: Nun, Mo and Calse
Gallery
The Google Gallery may have more photos (it will be displayed in a new Tab)
Hallin Fell Cairn
Captain's Log
Un Aperitif
Today's walk had an un aperitif. I'd parked near St Martins church at Martindale and the idea was first to summit Hallin Fell as a starter, and then walk over a few Wainwrights along High Street as the main course. I didn't plan a desert; well, not unless you'd include a couple of Old Peculiars in the evening. The advantage of the aperitif is that we could leave the rucksacks in the car while we climbed Hallin Fell. All we had to carry was our cameras.
In truth, Hallin Fell isn't much of an ascent; it only takes about 20 minutes. Half a dozen tents were pitched in an area near the top. Whether looking into the Martindale valleys or perusing the length of Ullswater, the views from the summit are stunning. 10 minutes later we were back at the car and hauling a rucksack on to our back. Aperitif was over and the main course was about to start.
Ullswater From Hallin Fell
Pikeawassa
Most walkers seemed to be ascending Steel Knotts on a path straight up from St Martins church. We decided to give the ridge starting from Steel End a go. This turned out to be a good decision since it was an interesting path that provide good views into the valleys on each side. There was a small queue formed for the simple scramble up to the highest point, Pikeawassa. The mind boggles as to how it got that name. We waited our turn, climbed to the top, got the photo and then regrouped for our next objective, Wether Hill
Pikeawassa
Loadpot Hill Trig
Wether And Loadpot Hills
We bypassed Gowk Hill (not a Wainwright) in our haste to climb Wether Hill. The path to the climb was quite boggy and it was only when we were halfway up Wether Hill that the path dried out. Wether Hill is a bit of a plateau on top and we found that our ascent path had brought us to the cairn (as marked on the OS map). There seemed a much smaller cairn further into the plateau that was higher up, and we assumed this point was the summit.
The path drifted away from the edge on our way to Loadpot Hill, which meant views were restricted somewhat. The path was relatively flat and it wasn't long before we were stood beside the trig on Loadpot Hill.
Bonscale Pike
The path drifted back to the edge on our route to Bonscale Pike. There was a fine view back down into the valley towards Hallin Fell. At Bonscale Pike there are two well built cairns. These are prominent on the ridge from below. There's quite a steep drop here which gave us a sense of elevation above Ullswater. As we ate our lunch we watched the progress of the ferry sailing from Pooley Bridge to Howtown.
Ferry Watching From Bonscale Pike
Arthur's Pike
Arthur's Pike
We took an almost direct route from Bonscale Pike to Arthur's Pike. The path crossed Swarth Beck before it drops into Swarthbeck Gill. I'd read Wainwright's account of this area in his 'Far Eastern Fells' book the previous evening. He states a number of times not to try to descend this gill. So many times, in fact, that I wonder whether he tried it himself and is speaking from experience.
There's a cairn at Arthur's Pike. It is away from the edge, and so we picked a path to take us back on to the edge again.
Ullswater Return
We followed the edge down to White Knott and the dropped down to the bridleway near Barton Park. It was now a case of following the bridleway back towards Howtown.
At the bottom of Swarthbeck Gill we could see what Wainwright meant about it being unassailable. The two cairns on Bonscale Pike peered down at us over the edge. It is easy walking along the bridleway and it wasn't long before we reached Howtown. We heard the knocking of a Woodpecker in a wood and Mo spotted it. As soon as he pointed it out to us, it took flight and flew right over us.
Even though we had to climb a slight ascent back to St Martin's church and the car, this effort did not detract from a superb day's walking.
Swarthbeck Gill