The Bowderstone and King's How on Grange Fell

Joe Jackson

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This short walk takes in two popular features of the stunning Lakeland valley of Borrowdale. The first feature is the colossal rock known as the Bowderstone. One of Lakeland's most famous features, this 2,000-ton stone, some thirty feet high, fifty feet across and ninety in circumference, rests in a state of delicate balance. It did not topple down from the mountainside like most visitors assume, for it is not a local rock. It was most likely carried here from Scotland by the glaciers of the Ice Age. It possibly gets its name from Balder, son of the Norse god Odin, but there are no legends attached to this boulder.

After this there is a steep ascent up the side of Grange Fell to the summit of King's How, which offers stunning views of Derwent Water and the Borrowdale Valley. From the summit of King's How the descent is through the wooded north side of the fell. At the bottom just near the car park, the path passes next to a cave, which is fairly common in this area. It is not recommended to go inside, as most of the caves and mines are unstable and dangerous.

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

Features

Birds, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mountains, National Trust, Public Transport, Wildlife, Woodland

3/13/2020 - John Webb

The ascent on this walk is quite strenuous and like the previous comment, it is not for the unfit. A good level of fitness is required. It had also been raining the previous day which made the descent wet and a little tricky, my partner slipped twice. I would not do this walk again unless it was during a dry spell.

10/23/2012 - Fred Rumming

We went on this walk yesterday. This walk is not for the unfit. It is well worth the climb up the fell although very strenous the views are a real reward. However if it is raining or is wet be extra careful on the decent as it mainly rock and they can be very slippery. The decent for the first section is very steep. Personally, I would not do this walk again unless a dry day.