Black Combe
The long whaleback of Black Combe forms the backdrop to many Lakeland walks and it’s worth heading west to explore this broad summit above the sea.
An old proverb recalls the Viking raiders who used to sweep down the western coast of Cumbria: ‘Nowt good comes round Black Combe’. But the paths which circle and cross this huge domeshaped fell on the north side of the Duddon Estuary are certainly worth exploring, and no less a figure than William Wordsworth recognised the exceptional view from the top as ‘The amplest range of unobstructed prospect… that British ground commands’. He also described how an early surveyor was once stranded amidst dark clouds ‘Upon the blinded mountain’s silent top!’.
Cumulus clouds regularly billow above the summit but make sure you choose a fair day for a full traverse of this long, rolling fell. The views are unique, since half of Black Combe tumbles towards the glittering Irish Sea with panoramic vistas to the Lakeland fells and the hills of southern Scotland. And, on a crisp winter’s day, you might even spot Snowdon! This linear walk finishes with a quick train ride back to Broughton-inFurness and if you sit on the left you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the skyline you’ve just walked across.
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SD212875 From the square in the centre of Broughton-in-Furness take the road leading west to the junction at High Cross. Go straight over and walk alongside the A593, initially downhill, to cross the road bridge over the River Duddon. Turn right (signed Corney Fell Road) and turn left through a gate after 150m, with the impressive remains of an iron furnace on the right (free admission).
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SD197883 Follow the bridleway uphill through trees, fork right and continue to a gate in a wall. Keep ahead to another gate, now on the open fell, and go through a gate in a tall wall after 350m. Turn left and follow the wall past old quarry workings above the farm at Thwaite Yeat. Continue west to an open lane, go right and fork left on a farm track (surfaced in places) towards the farm at Fenwick.
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SD168892 On approaching the farm take the permitted path to the left of the buildings, go through a gate, turn right and go left after the first barn. Cross the field, uphill, to a stone stile and continue over rough ground for 350m to the open road. Turn left for 1.5km to a small parking space.
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SD149896 Go left (south-west) alongside a fence for 550m to the small rocky outcrops at Stoneside Hill. Keep the fence on the right, descend south to pass an isolated conifer plantation and after another 50m cross a stile by a junction of fences. The ground ahead is always boggy – follow the fence on the left for 200m to the next fence junction and cross two stiles. Now, with a fence on the right, walk south-east over Swinside Fell for 1km until the fence bends right – it’s worth veering left for 150m to look across the valley below Black Crag, where you should be able to spot Swinside stone circle.
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SD151874 Follow the fence for another 400m and then trend left over level ground by the top of Whitecombe Screes. Continue ahead, on straightforward grass slopes, over Hentoe Hill
to the top of Blackcombe Screes, from where there are fine views down to Blackcombe Beck below the crags on Eller Peatpot. Continue for another 500m to the broad summit of Black Combe, with trig point within a circular stone shelter. There are expansive views towards the Coniston fells, over the Duddon Estuary and out to the Isle of Man.
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SD135854 A path heads west from the summit but it’s worth walking south to a small tarn and a large cairn on the south summit. Continue southsouth-west through heather (no path) for 700m to meet the wide path which descends south to Townend Knotts and the steep valley of Moorgill Beck. Follow the path downhill to a gate, leading onto a track.
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SD130828 Go left, around a bend and take the gate on the right after a white house. Walk over the field to a gate and cross the next field to a gate in the far-right corner. Cross the A595 to a track, take the small gate next to the cottages after 100m and veer right over the field towards a pylon and gate at the A5093. Turn left for 100m and then go right on the lane to the railway station in Silecroft. Catch the train to Foxfield.
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SD208854 Turn left out of the station on the A595 – fork right after 1km to follow the lane back to the centre of Broughton-in-Furness.