| Name of walk | Steel Knotts to Bonscale Pike |
| Date of walk | 2019-04-29 |
| Distance walked (miles) | 8 |
| Duration of walk | 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Weather | Sunshine and cloud |
| Peaks on walk | Steel Knotts, Wether Hill, Loadpot Hill, Bonscale Pike. |
| Walked with | Ged |
| Parking | St. Peter\'s Church, Martindale. |
On Monday Ged and I drove to the other side of Ullswater, parking at St. Peter’s Church, Martindale, in order to climb Steel Knotts (1414ft), Wether Hill (2210ft), Loadpot Hill (2201ft) and Bonscale Pike (1718ft). A walk of 8.3 miles.The weather was excellent, it was clear, warm with only light winds.
We stopped briefly on the eastern shores of Ullswater.
We parked in Martindale in the spaces opposite St. Peter`s Church which was built in 1880.
We walked to St. Martin's Church. The route up Steel Knotts starts behind the church.
The church is 16th century.
Looking back down on the church from our route that goes diagonally up the fellside.
View down Bannerdale to The Nab.
Looking back the way we had come.
When we reached the wall with the gate we took the track straight up the fell side, turning left for the climb up to Steel Knotts summit.
View of Ullswater from the summit.
Pikeawassa, the summit of Steel Knotts. You can't not climb it!
Looking down on the red roofed bungalow in Bannerdale.
Next we descend back down and follow the wall up and over as far as the old ruin.
The old ruin. The path up to Wether Hill continues from here.
View back to the ruin. It is a very isolated spot!
Another view back from higher up.
The view down as we almost get level with The Nab.
On the top looking south towards High Raise.
Walking north we approach Wether Hill summit.
Wether Hill summit, Loadpot Hill in the distance.
Heading for Loadpot Hill.
The remains of Lowther House, formerly a shooting Lodge that used to have a large chimney stack.
Loadpot Hill summit ahead.
The summit Trig Point on Loadpot Hill
Ahead is Bonscale Pike on the left and Arthur's Pike on the right.
We head for Bonscale Pike.
Hallin Fell.
Bonscale Pike summit. We continue further down to reach the two cairns.
Sunshine on Ullswater.
The two cairns.
View over to Arthur's Pike.
Ullswater Steamer.
The Mell Fells in the distance.
Time to chill out and enjoy the view. The lower cairn is called Bonscale Tower. Its leaning a bit more than it used to!
Looking over Hallin Fell towards the Helvellyn range.
We keep to the edge of the fell to locate our route down. We would end up in the bottom left of this photo at Mellguards, crossing the concrete farm track and taking the grass track back to the church which is at the top of the road hidden among the trees.
Walking down the steep, grassy path to Mellguards.
The route down is grassy and smooth, but its steepness is not ideal for a knee replacement!
You end up walking through the driveway of Mellguards and then passing some woodland with bluebells.
Bridge across Fusedale Beck.
Looking back to Mellguards and our steep route down from Bonscale Pike.
The path back to St. Peter's Church is a very gentle incline.
It also has some bench seats from which to enjoy the views.
The path comes out at the back of the church.
The walk had taken us six and a half hours, but we took our time, being in no rush.
Jo.
