Hallin Fell & Steel Knotts

Parking just off the roadside at Martindale new church - weather is looking promising, good job I chose to wear shorts.

Setting off and it was straight up the soft grassy slopes of Hallin Fell. Looking back you can see the main car park next to the church.

Its not long before lovely views of Martindale common can be gained. With the warm sun and the views, this was going to be a very enjoyable walk.

Ten minutes later and you arrive at the impressive summit of Hallin Fell - probably the easiest of all Wainwrights to bag in the lake district bearing in mind the generous starting point at the church.

But the vantage point at the top gives you the most sumptuous of views all round. We had a brief chat about this and agreed that Ullswater is probably the prettiest of waters in the district - although I love them all.

What I don't like is THIS ! At twenty past ten on a May morning there were two tents at prominent locations on the Northern flank of Hallin Fell one very close to the summit (a green one) and the other (a red one in this photo) lower down. Disgraceful, what are they doing ? If you wild camp fair enough - but pack up early and leave to allow others to enjoy the unspoilt scenery. The Lake District is not a free camp site. I don't know whether it is ignorance, selfishness or laziness, but these folk were all just sitting around, outside their tents enjoying the scenery and at the same time, annoying everyone else. I hope they don't leave them tents there all day. One of these days I will really lose it, especially if this becomes more common.

We headed down the fell eastwards towards Howtown and picked up the lakeside path

The path that goes from Howtown to Patterdale is a real treat, but we are headed for Fusedale today, so it was joined for only a brief time.

As we approach the tiny hamlet of Howtown we can see Steel Knotts ahead. But our route today would take us up the valley to the left of the fell and then return back along the ridge.

It was such a nice day, and the walk today was barely 'moderate', so we treat ourselves to a beer, only 1 hour into the day.

Fusedale

Having had a beer stop only 45 minutes earlier - we now decided to stop for lunch

C'mon you lot - that's our bench for now

Looking back down the valley with Steel Knotts to the left.

A 180 degree turn at the head as we commence the Steel Knotts ridge walk

The Nab and Bannerdale can be seen down to the left.

The pleasant undulating route to the summit

Steel Knotts summit (Pikeawassa) - No cairn here but this impressive sharp rock structure certainly suffices.

Only the real climbers risk getting to the top - I prefer to take a photo instead ! C'mon 'show off'

A gentle path on soft grassy terrain splits soon after this marker. You can go right and re-join the track that we were on earlier in the day in Fusedale - or, as we chose, turn left and head back down towards Martindale and our car.

We went left. There's the church and Hallin Fell is straight ahead dominating this shot.

St Peters - Martindale's 'new' church - We didn't see the old one this time, but it's just down the lane 1/2 a mile from here. A very gentle walk today and were done at 2pm - Time to visit Pooley Bridge and have another beer before heading home.