wainwright - Holme Fell

distance:

4 km

ascent:

317 metre

duration:

1.5 to 2 hrs

Lakeland Wainwright hike:
Holme fell - From YEw Tree Tarn

"...the glorious jungle of juniper and birch, heather and bracken, make this one of the most attractive of the lakeland fells." - Alfred Wainwright

Quote source: A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 4: The Southern Fells by Alfred Wainwright.

Holme Fell - Wainwright Walks in the Lake District - LangdaleActive, The Langdale Hotel & Spa

A short but rewarding Lake District walk that combines peaceful woodland, dramatic rocky scenery and outstanding panoramic views.

Starting from Yew Tree Tarn, the route climbs steadily through woodland and the striking Uskdale Gap before reaching Ivy Crag and the summit of Holme Fell.

Despite being easy to navigate, and its modest length, this walk features some steep and rocky sections, making it best suited to walkers with a reasonable level of fitness and is most enjoyable in fair weather conditions. On clear days, the summit rewards walkers with spectacular views of the Langdale Pikes, Coniston Water and the surrounding fells. Perfect as an early morning summer leg-stretch or as part of a longer day exploring nearby Black Fell or Tarn Hows or Hodge Close, this route also offers seasonal highlights including the Lakeland heather in bloom, and an abundance of wildlife

Highlights

• Spectacular views of the Langdale Pikes, Coniston Water and the Coniston Fells.

• The dramatic ascent through Uskdale Gap.

• Can be completed in just a couple of hours.

• Heather-covered slopes in Summer.

• Abundant wildlife – Dragonflies around Yew Tree Tarn, along with bees, butterflies and crickets on the heathers and grasses, throughout the warmer months.

Route / description.

Ideal as an early morning summer leg-stretch, this walk can also be combined with nearby routes including Black Fell or Tarn Hows for a longer day out. Please read ‘Important information’ section at the bottom of page before attempting this route.

Parking – Limited free roadside parking is available near Yew Tree Tarn. Alternatively, pay-and-display parking can be found nearby at Glen Mary Bridge Car Park.

Begin at the southern end of Yew Tree Tarn and take the path leading through the woodland, keeping the tarn on your right.

Image: Start Start point of Holme fell walk from Yew Tree Tarn
Image: Yew Tree Tarn

Continue through the trees until reaching a fork, where you should bear left. Follow the path, you will come to a kissing gate, proceed through, into a woodland pasture scattered with tall pine trees and continue to your left until you reach a gate set between two pines in the wall.

Image: Woodland pasture next to Yew Tree Tarn
Image: Gateway between two pine trees near the bottom of Holme fell.

Pass through the gate and follow the path left before turning right at the next junction to begin the main climb. As the route ascends, it leaves the woodland behind and passes several large boulders, which local Lakeland folklore suggests were thrown here by giants! Continue climbing and soon the dramatic Uskdale Gap comes into view. Almost ravine-like in appearance, the gap provides a striking ascent.

Image: View heading up the Uskdale Gap, Holme Fell, The Lake District

As you reach the top of the gap, the first views of the iconic Langdale Pikes begin to emerge. Continue to a small cairn and take the path on the left to visit the summit of Ivy Crag. The true summit of Holme Fell lies around ten minutes further on and is well worth the additional effort.

Image: Cairn at the top of the Uskdale Gap
Image: Langdale Pikes from Ivy Crag, Holme Fell

From Ivy Crag, continue down to your left slightly towards the true summit (also marked by a cairn). The final approach includes a short rocky scramble, although walkers who prefer to avoid this can take the path right and loop around the northern side of the summit. 

Image: Final ascent to Holme fell summit
Image: Final ascent to Holme fell summit - scramble to the top

Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with superb views stretching down the full length of Coniston Water and the Coniston Fells, with Black Fell visible to the right. Turning back towards the north reveals another spectacular panorama, with Lingmoor Fell in the foreground and the unmistakable silhouette of the Langdale Pikes rising beyond.

Image: Holme fell summit looking down on Coniston Water

To return, simply retrace your steps back through Uskdale Gap and the woodland to Yew Tree Tarn. Take extra care on the rocky paths as you descend!

Image: View from Holme fell summit looking down on Coniston Water
Important Information

This walk may be short, but it includes sections of moderate to difficult terrain. The path is steep and rocky in places, and the final approach to the summit involves a short scramble. Good walking footwear is essential.

The route is not recommended in adverse weather conditions, as the path through Uskdale Gap and sections of the summit plateau can become very wet, boggy and slippery.

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If you’re not already staying at The Langdale Estate or Brimstone Hotel … check us out for your next break in the Lakes.  Or, if you’re in the area call in to Wainwrights’ Inn or Stove for some well-deserved refreshments!