A 21km circuit from the cottage.Route: from the cottage to Low Lorton via the footpath across fields past the church, then across the river and rising past Low Bank Farm and High Bank following a green lane (Mosser Fell Road) rising onto the shoulder of the hill. Taking the clear non-right of way but much used track south at first muddy and then grassy to reach open access land. Then steeply uphill to reach Hatteringill Head though first exploring a circuiting path to the east which failed to contour back up to the summit as we hoped. Then descending and ascending again to reach Fellbarrow. Keeping to the (undulating) summit ridge to Low Fell (via Smithy Fell and detouring to touch the top of Sourfoot Fell en route).
From the summit leaving fellow walkers to explore the very end beyond Bield (idly looking for a direct descent route) but this time descending back north and down into the comb to the west. Following the familiar route south taking the left and lower route at a fork but, just before the trees, turning off it on a faint path to cross Crabtree Beck on stepping stones and follow a clear enough path gently uphill to a shoulder underneath Bield. Along an impressive balcony path round the hillside and back up north, descending to join the unpleasantly steep ascent track in its final stages. Thence to the phone box and to the Kirkstile where we were luckily able to get a seat (inside, beer garden full at much-reduced capacity) for a beer and garlic bread.
Along the road to Lanthwaite Wood car park, to take the path to Robin Steps and Brackenthwaite Hows, then descending to Pickett How. Thence crossing the Buttermere road to reach the path under Whiteside and Dodd and return home via High Swinside and Swinside End.
Conditions: Warm/hot sun, with merely occasional clouds, mitigated by a gentle breeze most of the way.
Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legenday Ales American Invasion and garlic bread.
