Whitbarrow via Raven's Lodge and Rawsons.
Start. Mill Side.
Route. Mill Side - Low Fell End - Whitbarrow Lodge - Raven's Lodge - Rawsons - Rawson's Wood - Watson's Wood - Wakebarrow - Lords Seat (Whitbarrow) - Harvey Nature Reserve - Buckhouse Wood - Mill Side.
Notes. Welcome to a day of dancing shadows and changing moods, driving rain and dazzling sunshine. I'm at the southern most tip of the Lake District striding out across an abrupt limestone up-thrust rising between the valleys of Lyth and Winster. A perfect example of natural limestone habitat, a mixture of woodland, scrub, grassland and limestone pavements. Come take a wander with me, it's a walk of two very distinct halves, woodland of birch, larch, beech and sycamore, pine and red cedar, followed by an airy walk above the cliffs of Whitbarrow Scar and Chapel Head Scar, a chance to drink in stunning views over a karst landscape laid down on the bottom of a warm tropical ocean over 350 million years ago.
My day started at Mill Side, the access lane to Low Fell End guiding me to, then between the farm buildings depositing me on the old turnpike that once linked Levens to Witherslack. With the original metled surface under foot I strolled on, passed Whitbarrow Lodge and Raven's Lodge, through long disused quarry workings and under the impressive cliffs of White Scar, the lane terminated at Rawsons. Behind the farm buildings approached over block paving a couple of steps allow access to a sylvan valley, with a narrow path under foot I wandered through mature woodland between moss covered boulders, eventually ascending to a forest track. Yellow arrows now guided me north, through Rawson's Wood and Watson's Wood to access Wakebarrow, after what seemed ages I crossed a stile to be greeted by wind and rain.
After donning my waterproofs I wandered on to Lord's Seat the summit of Whitbarrow, the cairn greeted me with staggering views and unexpected sunshine. With heavy showers sweeping through the valleys to the east and west of me I wandered on in a little bubble of sunlight, the wind to my back, a sense of urgency in my step, some awfully dark clouds were drifting in my direction obscuring the skyline of Lakeland. South I walked through Harvey Nature Reserve then along the edge of Farrer's Allotment, by the time I started descending the heavens had opened, the tree cover of Buckhouse Wood did little to shield me from the deluge, by the time I reached Beck Head the sun was smiling on me again for the short walk back to the car.
Spectacular views from near Low Fell End, over Foulshaw Moss and Milnthorpe Sands the impressive limestone cliffs of Farleton Fell, to the left the flat top of Ingleborough.
Once the main road to the coast, our guide to the delights of Whitbarrow.
Approaching Rawsons.
Striding out between the birch trees on Wakebarrow.
Views across Lyth Valley from the stile allowing access to Lord's Seat.
Middleton and the Barbon High Fells seen from near the summit of Whitbarrow.
A truly inspiring place this limestone plateau above the scars.
High, wide and handsome views from the summit of Whitbarrow.
A wild sky to match a wild landscape.
Heavy weather softens the landforms of South Lakeland, on the far horizon, hazy today Ingleborough.
This splendid pillar cairn marks the summit, and just as I arrive the sun cuts through a rent in the cloud.
Distant views across Lyth Valley, with Scout Scar in shadow and Cunswick Scar lit by the midday sun.
Looking back to a skyline of Lakeland giants like ghosts evaporating into the approaching tempest.
Super panoramas from the stoney plateau of Whitbarrow.
Looking towards Levens with wet weather sweeping down the Kent valley.
Looking across a landscape of purple birch and grey limestone.
Gummer's How seen from above the precipitous cliffs of Chapel Head Scar.
Rainbow on view from Farrer's Allotment. The Heversham Enclosures Award of 1815 resulted in the division of Whitbarrow and Lyth Valley into allotments, named after the farms and people to whom they were appointed, Farrer's being the principle family in the area, residing in Whitbarrow Lodge.
On the descent from Whitbarrow with this splendid view over Morecambe Bay for company.
Finally, Arnside and it's Knott seen over Upper Morecambe Bay.