Sale Fell & Ling Fell - Friday 26 January 2018
Route
Brumston Bridge - Dodd Crag - Sale Fell - Rivings - Lothwaite - Chapel Wood - Kelswick - Brumston Bridge - Corpse Road - Ling Fell - Burthwaite - Brumston Bridge
Parking
Small off road parking area at Brumston Bridge (Free) - Grid Ref NY185293. There are several verge parking spots in the vicinity of Brumston Bridge.
Mileage
6.6 miles
Terrain
Grassy fell side paths with a small amount of road walking on quiet lanes.
Weather
Cold yet gloriously sunny with excellent visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
2339ft (713m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Brumston Bridge - Dodd Crag - Sale Fell - Rivings - Lothwaite - Chapel Wood - Kelswick - Brumston Bridge - Corpse Road - Ling Fell - Burthwaite - Brumston Bridge
Parking
Small off road parking area at Brumston Bridge (Free) - Grid Ref NY185293. There are several verge parking spots in the vicinity of Brumston Bridge.
Mileage
6.6 miles
Terrain
Grassy fell side paths with a small amount of road walking on quiet lanes.
Weather
Cold yet gloriously sunny with excellent visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
2339ft (713m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
GPX File
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Walk Description
A glorious weather day was on the cards therefore as we didn't fancy getting up high and in turn travelling that far from home we decided to combine Sale Fell & Ling Fell - two of the smaller but no less interesting summits up in the North Western Fells. The fells are in the unfrequented Wythop Valley - a wonderful place for walking in solitude. Whilst the valley sits not that far from Keswick, it is unlikely you will see many people. Wainwright said of the Wythop Valley in Book 6 ‘Here is a charming and secluded natural sanctuary in an idyllic setting, a place of calm where a farming community husband the good earth now as for centuries past. Every rod, pole and perch of it is delightful and unspoilt’
The route today started at Brumston Bridge, just up from Wythop Mill where there is parking for several cars in a small lay by east of the bridge or on several verges. The intention was to visit Sale Fell first to then return to the start and then make an ascent of Ling Fell however the route can obviously be done either way. From the parking area we headed east along the road towards the farm at Kelswick, arriving at a gateway with a wall heading steeply northwards. There are 2 options here - follow the wall to the north to reach the path leaving for Dodd Crag or stay on the road to use a switch back path which heads gently across the fell side to meet the route coming up from the wall. We decided on the latter.
From the wall junction the path heads over the gentle slopes of Sale Fell's west ridge to pass above Dodd Crag to arrive at the summit. The view over to the Skiddaw range is just superb from here - particularly on such a clear day as today. In addition, the view to the south east over to Rivings & Lothwaite is very pleasing on the eye as the grassy swathes lure you over to explore the route ahead. Passing Rivings large cairn we headed north east to visit the delightful summit of Lothwaite. There is a seat here just shy of the summit that is a fabulous place to just sit and take in the view over to Skiddaw across Bassenthwaite Lake.
Leaving Lothwaite the route returns to the col and then heads down through the bracken to reach a farm track - turning right the track leads through Chapel Wood and it is worthy of note that the path through the wood is extremely muddy in places. Through a large Deer gate the path heads over farmland to reach the buildings at Kelswick to where the outward path from the parking area is reached. Back at Brumston Bridge the road continues steeply up to pass Eskin to level out at a gate that gives access to the open fell side. At the gate there are several options to ascend Ling Fell however we chose to follow the old Corpse Road - so named as the path was used to transport corpses to the nearest church or cemetery. The Corpse Road makes its way gently to the west before we left it to turn to the south where the gradient increases before turning east again to reach a pair of disused Grouse Butts just below the summit. We had lunch here before making the short descent to Ling Fell's summit.
Atop the summit sits a Trig Point and a little further to the east the remains of a cairn which marks the true summit of the fell although there is little in altitude between the two points. The summit gives glorious views over to Broom Fell, Lord's Seat and the Skiddaw range and it is worth lingering here for a while to enjoy them - we had the top to ourselves today. To return to Brumston Bridge we could either return the way we came or descend the way we did - via a good path to reach a fence, turning left to handrail it back to the gate near Eskin and the road back to the parking area.
Whilst they lack height and an obvious climbing challenge, these 2 fells are an absolute delight and combining them delivers a walk full of interest. I can think of no better way to while away a few hours than by being amongst them on a day like today.
The route today started at Brumston Bridge, just up from Wythop Mill where there is parking for several cars in a small lay by east of the bridge or on several verges. The intention was to visit Sale Fell first to then return to the start and then make an ascent of Ling Fell however the route can obviously be done either way. From the parking area we headed east along the road towards the farm at Kelswick, arriving at a gateway with a wall heading steeply northwards. There are 2 options here - follow the wall to the north to reach the path leaving for Dodd Crag or stay on the road to use a switch back path which heads gently across the fell side to meet the route coming up from the wall. We decided on the latter.
From the wall junction the path heads over the gentle slopes of Sale Fell's west ridge to pass above Dodd Crag to arrive at the summit. The view over to the Skiddaw range is just superb from here - particularly on such a clear day as today. In addition, the view to the south east over to Rivings & Lothwaite is very pleasing on the eye as the grassy swathes lure you over to explore the route ahead. Passing Rivings large cairn we headed north east to visit the delightful summit of Lothwaite. There is a seat here just shy of the summit that is a fabulous place to just sit and take in the view over to Skiddaw across Bassenthwaite Lake.
Leaving Lothwaite the route returns to the col and then heads down through the bracken to reach a farm track - turning right the track leads through Chapel Wood and it is worthy of note that the path through the wood is extremely muddy in places. Through a large Deer gate the path heads over farmland to reach the buildings at Kelswick to where the outward path from the parking area is reached. Back at Brumston Bridge the road continues steeply up to pass Eskin to level out at a gate that gives access to the open fell side. At the gate there are several options to ascend Ling Fell however we chose to follow the old Corpse Road - so named as the path was used to transport corpses to the nearest church or cemetery. The Corpse Road makes its way gently to the west before we left it to turn to the south where the gradient increases before turning east again to reach a pair of disused Grouse Butts just below the summit. We had lunch here before making the short descent to Ling Fell's summit.
Atop the summit sits a Trig Point and a little further to the east the remains of a cairn which marks the true summit of the fell although there is little in altitude between the two points. The summit gives glorious views over to Broom Fell, Lord's Seat and the Skiddaw range and it is worth lingering here for a while to enjoy them - we had the top to ourselves today. To return to Brumston Bridge we could either return the way we came or descend the way we did - via a good path to reach a fence, turning left to handrail it back to the gate near Eskin and the road back to the parking area.
Whilst they lack height and an obvious climbing challenge, these 2 fells are an absolute delight and combining them delivers a walk full of interest. I can think of no better way to while away a few hours than by being amongst them on a day like today.
The parking area at Brumston Bridge - there are lots of verges in and around this area.
it is just a question of finding one and parking sensibly.
it is just a question of finding one and parking sensibly.
The early part of the walk is along the farm road towards Kelswick
Leaving the farm road, a footpath signposted Wythop Church points the way up the fellside
Ling Fell from the footpath sign
There were a few lovely memorial benches on the walk today - this one sits just below Dodd Crag
Heading along the fell side below Dodd Crag
Nearing the boundary wall a path heads east climbing towards Dodd Crag ahead
Looking back towards the boundary wall from the climb to Dodd Crag via the west ridge
At Dodd Crag the west ridge path to Sale Fell is clearly evident - the Skiddaw Range comes into view too
Lovely grassy paths as we head to Sale Fell - Ling Fell is centre with Graystones to the left
Approaching the summit of Sale Fell
Skiddaw from the summit of Sale Fell with the Long Side ridge in front and Dodd to the right.
Lothwaite is the grassy fell in the foreground with Rivings to the right
Lothwaite is the grassy fell in the foreground with Rivings to the right
A panorama looking to Binsey over Bassenthwaite Lake with Skiddaw in the distance
Looking back along the path to Sale Fell's summit - this was a delightful transit over carpet like grass
Another view from Sale Fell's summit to the Skiddaw Range. In the far distance are The Dodds & Helvellyn
The bare summit of Sale Fell
The summit of Rivings looking back to Sale Fell
From Rivings the route continues to Lothwaite ahead
The view from near Lothwaite over Bassenthwaite Lake to Skiddaw and the Long Side ridge.
Ullock Pike is in the centre of shot with Dodd to the right
Ullock Pike is in the centre of shot with Dodd to the right
On the summit of Lothwaite
A Lothwaite panorama
Into the sun to view Lord's Seat - Grisedale Pike peeps out to the rear
The bench on Lothwaite provides a fantastic view - we spent a bit of time here
Descending through bracken to the farm track east of Chapel Wood
The farm track leading to Chapel Wood - whilst the going was ok here, once in the woods the path became extremely muddy
Looking to Skiddaw from the farm track
Approaching the farm at Kelswick
From the road west of Eskin Farm, this gate gives access to the Corpse Road path up Ling Fell
In shade now as we ascend the Corpse Road path - Sale Fell & Lothwaite are to the left whilst Skiddaw has a cloudy hat on
Back in the sun now as we continue the pleasant incline up the Corpse Road - Binsey provides the backdrop
These were the only two walkers we saw on Ling Fell - they had made a direct ascent from the gate near Eskin
A lovely lunch stop at two redundant Grouse shooting butts just below the summit.
On the summit plateau of Ling Fell - the highest point lies a few yards to the east.
The summit of Ling Fell looking across to the Cumbrian Coast and the Solway Firth
Descending Ling Fell after a wonderful days walking