Black Combe circular 28th May 2020Black Combe is an often overlooked hill right in the south western tip of the Lake District, a lofty viewpoint unusual in that it is so close to the sea. Reputedly one of the best views in England - I have seen Black Combe from Wales, so the reverse will be true. I would also imagine that on a really clear day you would be able to see the Isle of Man and the Galloway Hills. We didn't, too much haze in the distance, but the views down to the coast, and north to Scafell and Coniston Old Man made it well worth the effort.
Here's what we didn't see -
http://viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/CUM/BLACKCOMBE.GIFhttps://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MzA1ODE3NA==?ref=54.2398549530578|-3.3472995775913983|16We parked in a decent large layby off the A595 West Coast road, slightly less than an hours drive from Grange-over-Sands. We were on the hill at 0918. The layby is a good place to start as there is a public footpath onto the hill just opposite - we turned off up the hill, climbing pleasantly through a grove of young oak trees. We left the trees and climbed out onto the open fell, joining a path that traversed south eastwards up the steep slopes towards Seaness- now the real work began!
The daunting climb aheadThe route north looked more appealing - we came back that way, along the base of the fell. You can just see the cliffs at St Abbs in the distance.Tess was a help on the climb, pulling incessantly, and I pulled ahead of my family, giving me time to stop and admire the view of the coast unfolding below me. The tide was out, and I could see the red sandy beach below Silecroft stretching for miles. The St Abbs Head cliffs were visible in the distance to the north.
The beach at Silecroft stretches for milesWe arrived on a small plateau at the top of the climb, and walked over to a cairn near the edge of Seaness, a great viewpoint. After a short rest, we doubled back northwards and joined the main path which climbs up from Whicham, the usual way up judging by the erosoion of the path.
The view of the second part of the climb from SeanessSouth towards Silecroft village, the Furness peninsula and Walney Island in the distanceThe view south from near the summitThe path didn't look very appealing, but we gained height quickly, and reached the top soon enough. Took some summit photos and admired the view - most of the western lakes fells laid out before us. Lovely.
Black Combe Trig Point with the Lakeland Fells beyond - How many can you name? (click on photo to enlarge)We angled off to the east to get a look down over the edge of the broken cliffs that flank the eastern side of the fell, and then headed north to rejoin the path - because of our diversion to the cliff edge, we had missed the path that leads north westwards off the fell, and had to cut across wiry grass to re-join it - this we did without any bother. The path led gently down the hillside, an easy route, and we stopped for lunch about half way down near what might have been an old sheep fold.
The view west - I think that the valley below is the upper part of HolegillBarfield Tarn from our lunch stopAfter lunch we took a short cut down a steeper path and came to a fence. The bridleway follows this down the slope to the edge of the fields. From here we headed south along the bridleway, passing a succession of delightful streams on the way, their valleys cutting deeply into the steep slopes above.
Holegill Beck was particularly lovely, possibly a future route on to the hill?The steep hillside above usThe bridleway eventually dropped down into the farmland below, but we continued to traverse along fragments of path and sheep trods above the fields. We had a bit of bother crossing a couple of becks as the ravines were quite steep sided in places, and gorse blocked some of the sheep paths. But we won through without too much trouble, and eventually joined our outbound route through the oaks, back at the hot car minutes later.
Millergill BeckSheep shorn gorse near Townend GillArrived back at the car just after 1400 - it had taken us 4 hours and 45 minutes to cover a hot 8 miles. Stopped at Silecroft Beach on the way back, was tempted to take a dip but rather too many people about for skinny dipping!
And finally....
Tess on Silecroft Beach October 2019, with Black Combe in the background