Black Crag & Holme Fell Guided Walk

From Tarn Hows we will follow the path around the beautiful tarns before climbing north to the Iron Keld Plantation, once a forested strip of land on the fellside but now cleared of it's trees.

The path continues climbing over the rough fellside to the summit of Black Fell, a wonderful viewpoint of the land towards Windermere and beyond.

We will descend west by Hollins Bank to cross the road and follow the track to High Oxen Fell, an ancient farm dwelling before descending too Hodge Close.

Hodge Close was mined for nearly 2000 years up until the 60's and was the source of much of the local roof tiles. Nowadays it is the domain of the rock climber and the diver, the lower sections of the quarry are now flooded and divers swim the tunnels below the water.

After exploring the mines we will walk south, passing some now disused reservoirs, just above the treeline and climb through bracken and heather too the summit of Holme Fell, the best viewpoint over the length of Coniston Water.

From Holme Fell we will descend east by Yew Tree Tarn where we will cross the road and climb through the trees back to Tarn Hows and our start point.

Itinerary

Difficulty:Easy

Distance:11km / 7 miles approx.

Ascent: 590m / 1900ft approx.

Time: 5 hours

Start Time: 10am

Summits included on this route:

Black Fell 323 metres/1060 feet

Holme Fell 317 metres/1040 feet

Experience

"A craggy southern front, a switchback ridge, a cluster of small but very beautiful tree-girt tarns, and a great quarry that reveals the core of colourful slate lying beneath the glorious jungle of juniper and birch, heather and bracken, make this one of the most attractive of Lakeland's fells." A.Wainwright on Holme Fell

Pickup / Dropoff

Where to Meet: Tarn Hows Car Park

Time:10am

Postcode: LA21 8AQ (Please note that postcode may not be exact!)

Directions: Tarn Hows is well signposted off the road between Coniston Village and Hawkshead, we will meet in the main car park

Essential Information

Equipment required:

Walking shoes / Boots

Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)

Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)

Warm tops

Packed lunch

Spare clothing

Water

Torch

The Lake District Walker is able to provide limited equipment for hire by clients, this includes waterproof clothing and warm clothing.