Parking
Use the informal roadside layby beside the telephone box at Waterend, at the north end of Loweswater, around grid reference NY118224. It holds roughly a dozen cars. Do not block gates or road access.
Overview
About Burnbank Fell, Holme Force and the Woods
Why go
- Holme Force and spring woodland flowers
- Wide views from the terrace over Loweswater
- A varied circuit with a real summit
Heads up
- Boggy, indistinct ground near the summit
- Steep rough ascent and limited parking
The appeal is variety rather than a single grand viewpoint. Holme Force is tucked into the woodland, the terrace opens wide views over Loweswater towards the Grasmoor range, and the summit gives the walk a proper fell finish. The woodland is especially appealing in spring when bluebells can cover the floor. Red squirrels and deer are worth watching for in the woods, but they are never guaranteed.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Lake District map
Full mapElevation121–451 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Lake District alerts
- ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskPart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
- ClosureStanley Ghyll Lower Falls footpath closed for rockfallThe section of Footpath 408037 leading towards Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls is closed because severe rockfall damage has made the path unstable and further rockfall remains a danger.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Lake District Tour Guide
Your drive to Burnbank Fell, Holme Force and the Woods, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Waterend: Burnbank Fell and the Terrace0:00 / 0:58
“You're approaching Waterend, the starting point for a varied walk up Burnbank Fell.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Loweswater: Holme Wood and Lakeshore
- John Dalton: A Scientist on the Fells
- Loweswater: Mellbreak and Scale Force
- Lanthwaite Wood: Shore and Hilltop Views
- 298 audio storiesacross Lake District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Red Deer, Eurasian Otter, Osprey, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 265 trails, 89 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Burnbank Fell, Holme Force and the Woods
The routeThis 6.2-mile loop starts at the Waterend layby at the north end of Loweswater.
This 6.2-mile loop starts at the Waterend layby at the north end of Loweswater. The distance is the complete loop, not an out-and-back. It follows fields and a farm lane into Holme Wood, climbs past Holme Force, then takes a steep rough path to the broad terrace below Burnbank Fell. From there, faint paths cross wet grass and old mine workings to the 475-metre summit before the route returns through the wood and along Loweswater's shore.
PracticalitiesParking is in the informal roadside layby beside the telephone box at Waterend, around grid…
Parking is in the informal roadside layby beside the telephone box at Waterend, around grid reference NY118224. Space is limited, so leave gates and road access clear. The route uses multiple gates, a farm track, woodland paths, bridges and a lakeshore track. Spring is a good time for the woodland flowers; clear days give the terrace and summit their best payoff.
DogsDogs are allowed, but this is working countryside with livestock and wildlife.
Dogs are allowed, but this is working countryside with livestock and wildlife. Keep them under close control and use a short lead around animals. The rough climb, boggy ground and narrow woodland sections are a poor fit for dogs that are not sure-footed.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Lake District
81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
