Walk 2281 - printer friendly version

White Combe FROM near Whicham Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km

Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SD158849
Lat 54.2528230 + Long -3.2938650
Postcode LA18 5LX (approx. location only)

A short but energetic walk exploring White Combe and its associated valleys. White Combe offers good walking and lies at the southwestern corner of the Lake District National Park. The hill sees few walkers despite offering some fine views to its higher neighbour Black Combe and to Duddon Sands and the Irish Sea.

The start is a small layby 100 metres east of Fox and Goose Cottages on the busy A595 east of Whicham (grid ref. SD158849). After walk in front of the cottages and take the signed foot path into a field. The path runs parallel with the A595 following a hedge on the left. Continue to the end of the field and turn left along a track enclosed by hedges. This leads to the intake wall and open fell. Take the clear path heading roughly cutting across the steep hillside at an angle. A steady climb with the crags of White Hall Knott above on your left. The path bears left and crosses the eastern flank of White Combe.

Leave the path when level with the top of a gulley on the right (grid ref. SD157862) and bear half left up to a large cairn, from the where you can enjoy the best views. From the cairn walk uphill in a northerly direction to re-join the main path and continue up to Whitecombe Head (grid ref. SD151874). A short diversion to the right offers a good view down Stoupdale and the crags at the head of the valley.

From Whitecombe Head, walk west on a grassy path and bear left down into a valley with Whitecombe Screes up to your right. The path descends into the valley turning right and then left to follow Whitecombe Beck downstream. Cross the beck over a small footbridge (grid ref. SD149862) to follow a clear track that leads down to pass Whicham Mill. Stay on the track to reach the A595. Cross with care and turn left. Just past an entrance to Beckside Farm, pass through a gate to follow an unsigned footpath into a field. Aim for the gap in the hedge and continue to the left of a small quarry soon joining a clearer track that leads to the A595.Turn right and the layby is a short distance along the road on the left.

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