High Tove and Armboth Fell from Thirlmere

Overview

About High Tove and Armboth Fell from Thirlmere

Why go

Two Wainwright summits in a compact outing
Open Thirlmere and Helvellyn views

Heads up

Boggy, indistinct ground dominates the middle
Summit rewards are rocky cairns, not big landmarks

You get open views along Thirlmere to the Helvellyn range, with Blencathra and the central fells appearing as the route gains height. Armboth Fell has more satisfying rocky tops than High Tove, while High Tove itself is a quiet, understated summit. The honest downside is that the bog is the defining feature of the middle section. A prolonged dry spell or frozen ground makes the crossing easier, but never assume a clear path across the open fell. Clear early or late light gives the best shape to the reservoir and surrounding ridges.

Parkwolf’s verdictThe payoff and the tradeoff

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation209–510 m

TrailheadHigh Tove and Armboth Fell from Thirlmere54.54550, -3.07502

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Use the United Utilities Armboth pay-and-display car park on the west side of Thirlmere, near CA12 4TW. The route starts a few metres back along the road, through the public bridleway kissing gate beside the Watendlath sign. Do not substitute a different Thirlmere pullout or park on the road.

Safety

The open ground between High Tove and Armboth Fell is wet, pathless in places, and difficult to follow in mist. Carry a map and compass rather than relying on a visible tread. Fisher Gill and its tributaries require careful stepping on uneven, potentially slippery stones. The rocky summit tops are not technical scrambles, but footing is rough and there is no reliable water or shelter once you leave the lower track.

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

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Lake District Tour Guide

Your drive to High Tove and Armboth Fell from Thirlmere, 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

Armboth: High Tove and the Rocky Tops

0:00 / 0:57

“Armboth car park is coming up, the starting point for a quiet fell walk to High Tove and Armboth Fell.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.

Hiking High Tove and Armboth Fell from Thirlmere

The routeThis is a 4.1-mile circular outing from the United Utilities Armboth car park.

This is a 4.1-mile circular outing from the United Utilities Armboth car park. The stored distance is the complete circuit, not a one-way figure. From the road, pass through the kissing gate and cross the bridge by Fisher Gill, then climb beside the fence and through old woodland before emerging onto open fell. High Tove comes first, marked by a modest cairn. From there, the route crosses the wet ground to both rocky tops of Armboth Fell, then returns across the fell and descends by Fisher Gill.

What it feels likeThe first climb is on a rough but recognizable track.

The first climb is on a rough but recognizable track. The character changes sharply above the wall: the trod becomes faint, heather and tussocks close in, and the broad hollow between High Tove and Armboth Fell is notoriously boggy. Allow about 2 hours for a steady round, including time to pause for the views. This is moderate fell walking because of the rough footing and route finding, even though the mileage is short.

PlanningThere is no permit requirement identified for this public route, but carry a map and compass…

There is no permit requirement identified for this public route, but carry a map and compass and be comfortable navigating when the trod disappears. Dogs are allowed and there are no stiles on the described circuit, but keep them close around livestock and wildlife. If you want a shorter, more obvious path with a defined crag and clearer footing, Raven Crag and Castle Crag beside Thirlmere is a better choice; this outing is for quieter Wainwright summits and a more rugged, pathless feel.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Lake District

All Lake District wildlife maps

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 map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.