Beacon Fell
OS Grid ref:- SD2790
Beacon Fell is one of the lesser heights of Lakeland and is situated five miles from Coniston Water. The fell stands at a height of 255 metres (836 feet) and offers stunning views of Coniston Water, the Coniston Fells, Dow Crag and Morecambe Bay.
Forming part of the Blawith Fells to the west and southern end of Coniston Water, Beacon Fell lies above Beacon Tarn and can be accessed from footpaths off the main road from Water Yeat to Torver.
Alfred Wainwright included Beacon Fell in his eighth pictorial guide,The Outlying Fells of Lakeland and regarded Beacon Fell as ranking 'amongst the most delectable of the lesser heights of Lakeland.'
The fell offers a rewarding walk which is relatively easy. Despite its small size, the fell has many characteristics of the higher mountains, including craggy ridges, which make good alternative routes to the summit.
Image courtesy of the Cumbria Tourist Board
A walk to the summit of Beacon Fell
*(1) Commencing at the Brown Howe car park on the Coniston Torver road; cross the road and follow the road diagonally opposite to the left. At a right-handed hairpin bend, follow the wide grassy track which follows the line of tarmac road straight on. Take the path to the left immediately before the electricity cables pass overhead.
*(2) Climb the undulating ridge with Beacon Fell directly ahead. Cross a boggy section up to the left a small cairn marks the start of a rocky gully. Follow this gully up to about half way and then take a short detour up to the left for superb views of the full length of Coniston Water. Continue along the gully up to the rocky bastion which holds the large summit cairn.
*(3) From the summit, head south along the ridge. At the end of the ridge, Beacon Tarn is visible. Follow the path rising to the right at its pointed head. After the initial slight rise, the path descends through a fairly boggy section which is part of The Cumbria Way. Follow the path when it swings to the right and this leads directly to the head of the tarmac road.