Armboth - High Tove - Armboth Fell - Fisher Crag - Armboth

Joe Jackson

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The fells west of Thirlmere are famous for being wet and boggy nearly all year round. As it is, I would recommend a good pair of fully waterproof boots for this walk and good navigational skills if the weather is poor. The route starts off at the pay-and-display car park in Armboth. There is no longer any village as it lays several metres under the water, thanks to a dam at Thirlmere's northern end, but the name has stuck for this area. The route follows the side of Fisher Gill past Cockrigg Crags and up onto the open fellside. Paths are not obvious from this point as the wet and boggy nature of the terrain allows plants to overgrow any route quickly, but faint tracks exist. The route follows one of these faint paths west to the summit of High Tove and its unique summit panorama. It overlooks miles of upland moors and bogs and is surrounded by higher peaks.

The route then heads south along a faint path to Middle Crag (a Birkett Fell if you are ticking those off) and then turns east across the open moor. A pathless route across the slightly higher ground is recommended to keep as dry as possible and an easy ascent takes you to the second Wainwright of the day, Armboth Fell. The view is slightly restricted but does cover the vast moorland towards High Seat, north to Raven Crag and also east to Helvellyn.

The route takes in one more Birkett Fell on the descent, which is Fisher Crag. The crag offers a superb view along the whole of Thirlmere and also up to Helvellyn across the lake (see general photo). From Fisher Crag the route heads through the forestry plantation back down to the road and to the car park.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North West