Monday 22 October 2012

Hallin Fell

21 October 2012

Participants - Just me
Where - Hallin Fell, 388m/1,273', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 90, NY 433198

Today's MBA meetings finished just after 2pm which meant that I unexpectedly had a few hours daylight to have another walk before heading up the road. Langwathby is only a few miles east of the Lake District and I had noted a small walk that I could reach with only about 20 miles driving. It was of course another sub-2k Marilyn! Hallin Fell sits on the east side of Ullswater and is reached by a narrow road from Pooley Bridge to Martindale. Ideal, although I was concerned that it being a Sunday and a glorious autumn day that the whole world and his family would be out and I would be unable to find a place to park. Anyway it was worth taking a chance. This is a view of the hill across Ullswater which I took later in the afternoon.....


There was a car park just past the highest point of the road at the church and other parking was available on the verges. Amazingly, I found a space, the last one. This is obviously a popular wee hill, easy of access and a superb viewpoint. Grassy paths led from the car park directly to the summit; it only took about 20 minutes to climb. This is from part way up, looking south down Howe Grain towards High Raise and High Street.....


My trip had coincided with the time of year when the autumn colours were at their best. This hill is recognisable from miles around by the large stone cairn, marked on the map as an obelisk, on its summit.....


It sits immediately above the Lake; this is looking north towards Pooley Bridge and Penrith.....


this is across the Lake to Gowbarrow Fell with the top of Blencathra beyond.....


this is across the Lake to Little Mell Fell, another sub-2k in the area.....


and this is looking south towards the Helvellyn group of hills.....


The sun was warm and I sat around for a while. I really like the Lake District, it is just a pity that it is so crowded and that the roads are so narrow. I would hate to visit in the height of summer!
I dragged myself away eventually, drove back to Pooley Bridge and then down Ullswater as far as Patterdale  before reluctantly heading back to the motorway and home. It had been a real bonus walk.

2 comments:

blueskyscotland said...

You can tell by the photographs its a special little hill.One to note for a future Lakes trip.

Neil said...

I only did the straight up and down due to time constraints. But it could be combined with a longer walk in the area, and I believe that it is also possible to combine the hill walk with a trip on the boat! I imagine that out of season Martindale would be quiet, at least by Lake District standards.