The Lake District has plenty of fells to tackle, but sometimes, big isn’t always the most beautiful. Hallin Fell is a case in point: at just 388m, it’s one of the smallest hills in the national park, and yet offers the very grandest of views. So if you’re a first-time fell-walker, or your time is short but you still want to experience a taste of the fells, there aren’t many hikes that can measure up to Hallin Fell in the scenery stakes.
Total distance: 1.9 km
Time: 1 hour
Description: The best short walk in the area that rewards with amazing views of the length of the lake. A short but steep walk to the top, starting from the old Church.
Difficulty: Medium.
Directions: Drive 15 minutes to Pooley Bridge and leave your car before catching a ride aboard the Ullswater Steamer to the east side of Ullswater.
What to bring:
Good sturdy walking shoes, drink and snacks. Sun cream, a hat, a camera.
Elevation:
145 m
A good 1 hour hike
Navigable in pretty much all weathers, and conquerable in less than half-an-hour, Hallin Fell is located on the east side of Ullswater, near the little hamlets of Howtown and Martindale.
Peaceful fell walking
This side of the lake is much quieter than the busier western side; if you want to drive there is a narrow road that runs along it, but driving to Pooley Bridge and catching the Ullswater Steamer is the best way to start.
There is a small car-park very near the ferry jetty. There are several boats an hour in summer, but just a few a day in winter; make sure you check the time of the next boat to avoid having to wait too long.
It’s a journey of only fifteen minutes or so from Pooley Bridge to the jetty at Howtown. As you travel south, look out for the summit of Helvellyn on the horizon on your right, and see if you can spot Another Place along the lakeshore. It’s also worth asking about your vessel; some of the steamers are historic monuments (one, the Lady of the Lake, was launched in 1877 and supposedly the world’s oldest working passenger boat).
