Loweswater via High Nook Tarn up Gavel Fell: route map, distance and time
524 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY116185
Gavel Fell is a 524m grassy fell in the Loweswater group, climbed from Loweswater as part of a round with Blake Fell.
A farm track leads to High Nook Tarn, then grassy slopes climb to the summit.
Loweswater via High Nook Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 364 m |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Loweswater, Maggie's Bridge car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 131 201 |
| Summit grid reference | NY116185 |
Loweswater via High Nook Tarn map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Loweswater via High Nook Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:16 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:04. Start by 15:14 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Gavel Fell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 28 mph, 29% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 27 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:04.
Best day of the next seven for Loweswater via High Nook Tarn: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 28 mph and a 29% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Gavel Fell forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Gavel Fell
Gavel Fell is a 524m grassy fell in the Loweswater group, climbed from Loweswater as part of a round with Blake Fell. More about Gavel Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Blake Fell (573 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Hen Comb (506 m), 1.6 km east
- Great Borne (616 m), 2.3 km south
- Burnbank Fell (475 m), 2.5 km north
Challenges that include Gavel Fell
More walks from Loweswater, Maggie's Bridge car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Loweswater round up Blake Fell
- Loweswater via Floutern Tarn up Great Borne
- Loweswater via Mosedale up Hen Comb
- Loweswater via the north end up Mellbreak
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 131 201, the summit at NY116185), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Loweswater via High Nook Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Loweswater via High Nook Tarn?
Loweswater via High Nook Tarn is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Gavel Fell, with 364 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Loweswater via High Nook Tarn take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of Gavel Fell and 1h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Loweswater via High Nook Tarn?
Loweswater via High Nook Tarn starts from Loweswater, Maggie's Bridge car park. The grid reference is NY 131 201.
Is Loweswater via High Nook Tarn suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Loweswater via High Nook Tarn today?
By 15:16 at the latest. Sunset on Gavel Fell today is 18:06, Loweswater via High Nook Tarn takes about 1h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Loweswater via High Nook Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).