Knipescar Common

Walk 1

Start point: Burnbanks (NY 508 161)

Burnbanks – Pinnacle How (518) – Birkhouse Hill – Four Stones Hill (519) – Bampton Fell (520) – Measand Beck – Burnbanks

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 319 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Rain and cold. 6oC.

Today was just the type of day to get some unashamed peak bagging done. It was clouded in over the high fells and it pretty much rained all day. I had a few Birkett bumps to walk around Haweswater so it made sense to try and get them in whilst I was up that way instead of having along drive for a couple of very short walks. The first walk was the longest and it took in the hills to the north of Haweswater and the dam starting from the small village of Burnbanks.

Burnbanks at the start of the walk. Originally it was a village to house workers during construction of Haweswater Dam.

Up on Pinnacle How in the rain looking to Bampton Fell. Angus is wondering what on earth Casper is up to!

Looking back to a decidedly orange Pinnacle Hill.

There is a great view of Haweswater from Four Stones Hill.

Angus on Four Stones Hill.

A bit damp up here Casper?

The prominent cairn on Four Stones Hill overlooking Haweswater.

Gateway to the lake?

Bampton Fell, un-named on the OS map.

Fordingdale Bottom.

Falls on the upper part of Measand Beck.

Colourful trees looking towards High Raise.

Haweswater from the lake shore path.

Walk 2

Start point: Mardale (NY 479 118)

Brown Howe (Mardale) (521) from Mardale

Distance: 1.2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Now it really was raining and it was very dreary. It took some effort to drive up the other side of Haweswater and then get out of the car again in the pouring rain for a short but steep climb up to Brown Howe. There are some nice views from the Old Corpse Road; I bet they would be superb on a clear, sunny day.

The Rigg and Rough Crag across Haweswater.

Looking into Riggindale from the climb to Brown Howe, Wood Howe is the island.

The head of Haweswater.

Harter Fell and one of the ruins from the Old Corpse Road.

The head of Haweswater looking over another ruined barn.

Wet and windy on Brown Howe.

Walk 3

Start point: From the road above Bampton Grange (NY 521 187)

Knipe Scar (OF) (522) from above Bampton Grange

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 319 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

This was one I didn’t fancy at all and I wasn’t disappointed with my disappointment, if you know what I mean (if not, I didn’t like it much). It was similar in appearance to other Limestone scars in the district with it having a flat top and limestone pavement. The views were non-existent today from there. Angus said he didn’t want to come on this one; I think he had the right idea!

Limestone pavement on Knipe Scar.

Casper on top of Knipe Scar. He found the sunken trig. point made a handy drinking bowl!

The 'view' towards the Haweswater fells from the descent of Knipe Scar. Can you spot Casper?

Knipe Scar.