Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
With the right kind of weather this is a fantastic and simple walk providing
breathtaking views across the Iris Sea, to the Isle of Man, across the Solway Firth
and Scotland and the magnificent panorama of the Scafell and Coniston group of fells
From the A595 at Beckside just before Wicham a small area to the left of the
road just past the Fox and Goose cottages on your right provides free parking
for about four or so cars opposite the entrance to the Ralliss House & Cottages
To get to the actual start of the walk a path going off left through the farm yard
runs parallel with the A595 so as to negate you having to walk back down the busy
road which has no pavements or side tracks
We set off down the Farm track which leads on to a field
Go through the gates at the end of the path and keep left across the field
Keep to the hedgeline and carry on down to the corner of the field
Looking across the main road to Knott Hill from the field
Go through the old Iron gate and keep left
Keep left following the hedgeline
The field drops down to an intake gate
Go through the gate and take the short path that leads to the
cross over point of the A595
Cross the road and take the path running along the side of the Fox and Goose cottages
At the end of the path, go through the gate and turn immediate left.
You will now walk effectively back up along the A595 towards the
"sunken lane"
Follow the hedgeline to the far corner. The "sunken lane" can be seen running
at right angles to the field
When you reach the metal gate go through and turn immediate right
The start of the sunken lane that leads up to a gate
The iron gate at the end of the lane
Through the iron gate and then turn left immediately through a wooden gate to
gain access to the open fell side
The start of the climb, prepare yourself for 30 minutes or so of
some reasonably steep walking. The path is very good
The track leads swings left in the upper reaches
Looking towards the Coniston Fells from the path
The path runs through an area of bracken
Looking back towards the massive bulk of Black Combe
As height is gained, the path becomes intermittent somewhat, just keep
aiming for the higher ground and all will become apparent
After roughly 20 minutes or so of gentle climbing the summit shelter cairn
on White Combe comes in to view. The actual summit cairn is to the left of this
The summit cairn on White Combe
Sue on the summit of White Combe. Click here for a 360 degree view
The excellent shelter cairn on White Combe which we would return to for
lunch after visiting Stoupdale Head, and it was very much needed today
We set off West and follow the obvious grassy trod that leads unerringly
towards Stoupdale Head
Featureless walking but the trod is a good guide as it leads to the high
ground in the centre of the shot where a small pile of stones marks the summit
The summit cairn on Stoupdale Head. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking towards Sellafield from the summit and in the far distance, Scotland
The Coniston range of fells from the summit
46 miles away across the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man from the summit
