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~Muncaster Fell~

27th July 2014

Muncaster Fell Summit

Muncaster Fell Summit

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Church Stile Nether Wasdale

Church Stile Campsite, Nether Wasdale

They don't come much better than this. In a wonderful setting, out of sight of the local roads, close to two pubs and a church, level, clean and plenty of places for children and dogs to play and wander. Little wonder it gets busy!

Buckbarrow Nether Wasdale

Decisions

I had thought about a couple of moderate Lakeland walks to the north / east of the campsite, but after Saturday night's deluge and seeing an only slowly clearing sky over Buckbarrow (left), I decided that it would make sense to head towards the coast and the brighter skies.

eskdale Green Station

Eskdale Green

The first train of the day from Ravenglass to Dalegarth arrives with diesel-powered locomotion. I've parked at the station and me n'Molly are going to head over Muncaster Fell for tea and cake, before catching the train back to here. It's 09:45 and a very wet tent is packed ready for our trip home, I told Mrs.R. that we'd be back by 4pm.

Bankend Wood

A clear path leaves from behind the station and keeps left of Bankend Wood before crossing another field, with Muncaster Fell ahead ...

~~~

On the fell itself, the first bump is called Rabbit How and the higher point is Silver Knott.

Passing Silver Knott

We followed a well-made track to the right of Silver Knott; the map shows a footpath on the left side of the high ground. Both paths meet at a gate, through which were a herd of cows, which we stealthily avoided. Ross's Camp earns recognition on the OS map. It is said to be the work of a Victorian shooting party who made it as a luncheon table.

Ross's Camp

Ross's Camp

Muncaster Fell features in Wainwright's Outlying Fells book, which is understandable and handy - especially if you remember to bring such with you.

Bracken

Bracken enthusiasts can't fail to be impressed with the summer show on the southern side of the fell. Such is the density of the foliage that we had to go past the summit and return on the proper path to get to the top.

Hooker Crag

Muncaster Fell Top, 757ft asl

The summit territory of Muncaster Fell is known as Hooker Crag.

Molly the Collie

Molly

The descent route will take us past Muncaster Tarn and along Fell Lane to the sharp bend in the road, from where we head to Muncaster Mill on a bridleway through dense woodland.

Muncaster Tarn

Muncaster Tarn

Fell Lane

Fell Lane

Woodland

~~~

I'm looking forward to lunch at Muncaster Mill.

Tearoom closed Muncaster Mill Station

Ah well, it was open last time I was here. Nothing left but to sit on the platform and do a bit of trainspotting.

Ravenglass Train

The Train

Here comes the train to take us back to Eskdale Green. This is a 15" "narrow" guage railway and the engine is smaller than the ones you see on "standard" guage railways. The driver is full size and you can see his cap above the cab. I was greeted on the train by fellow walker Ian Smith and his family, small world!

Full steam ahead

Steaming Ahead

Irton Road Station

Irton Road Station

Soon enough we were back at the car at Eskdale Green.

Walkers: Me and Molly the Dog

Time taken: 2hrs 50mins hours over a distance of about 5 miles.

Route: Eskdale Green Station, Birkend Wood, Rabbit How, Silver Knott, Ross's Camp, Muncaster Fell inc. Hooker Crag Summit, Muncaster Tarn, Fell Lane, shsrp right for woodland to Muncaster Mill and station.

Refreshment Review: There is no longer a tearoom at Muncaster Mill.

Weather: Light shower early on, cloudy and brightening as the day progressed.

I arrived home on the pips at 4pm.

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2014 ©

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