Bowscale Fell Walk

This is a fantastic walk to do from one of our newest Lake District cottages,  4 Town End.  

Leave the property and walk back through the hamlets of Mosedale and Bowscale. In Bowscale as you pass through the houses, the road bends sharply to the left. At this point you should turn right along a gated track for the start of the walk.

A pony track from the Victorian era climbs gently to Bowscale Tarn. Sitting in a glacial combe, the tarn is said to be home to two fish that have survived ever since the ice age that created it.

At the point where the tarn flows out at Tarn Sike cross to the other side where a path leads up through an obvious grassy rake and on to the shoulder of Bowscale Fell. From here it is nothing more than a grassy climb to the summit.

The summit of Bowscale Fell has a decent wind shelter and an ideal spot for lunch, taking in the view

Leaving the top of Bowscale Fell you can make a boggy beeline for col below Blencathra, which is where this walk descends. However for excellent views and a little more excitement, I like to walk along the rim of crags that lend their name to Bannerdale Crags.  

Make your way descent along the flanks of White Horse Bent and follow the River Glenderamackin, which meanders through the valley. This will lead you back to Mungrisedale and home to Town End.

As you walk back through the valley be sure to take a look at Bannerdale Crag’s east ridge, which is certainly an exciting route of ascent for another day.

As you make your way along the river you will notice a wide wooden bridge crossing the river on your right. At this point you can choose to continue through the valley or to walk over the top of Souther Fell. I highly recommend the little extra effort it involves to include Souther Fell in the walk as it allows a birds eye view of the ground you covered earlier.  

Local legend has it that on Midsummers Eve in 1745, an army of troops complete with chariots was seen continually marching along the wide grassy plateau of the summit. Although there were several sober witnesses, an inspection the following day could not find a trace. No footprints, no treads from wheels. If you are not too busy looking for the ghosts of a long departed army, you may be lucky enough to see gliders taking off from the summit which is a popular gliding site.
 
You can descend the northern nose of the fell to Mungrisedale Village and refuel at the Mill Inn, which serves tasty homemade food and Robinson’s Ale.

The walk would also be ideal for anyone staying in our Keswick cottages and Ullswater cottages.