Place Fell occupies a splendid position at the head of Ullswater rising within the curve of the lake which it dominates, as well as the villages of Glenridding and Patterdale. It is a colourful and bulky mass of ground with steep slopes richly cloaked by birch and juniper above the lake, and bracken scree and small crags everywhere. The summit is extensive with minor tops, and paths winding their way down to valley and lake in a delightful way. Place Fell is an excellent viewpoint for the Helvellyn and Fairfield ranges with the valleys of Grisedale and Glenridding biting deeply into the hills in the foreground. An ill defined ridge connects the fell at Boardale Hause with Angletarn Pikes, and high ground continues curving above Hartsop to the main High Street range on Rampsgill Head. This is the most important fell in the group geographically, but High Raise to the north just overtops it in height. Also featured here is the popular Kidsty Pike above Riggindale to which walkers have blazed a trail on the way to High Street from Mardale Head and Haweswater. If the golden eagles are in residence below Rough Crag the top of Kidsty Pike is a good place to look for them. The narrow Straits of Riggindale between Rampsgill Head and High Street marks the southern boundary of this section. The eastern flanks of High Raise fall to Haweswater after some initial hesitation while westwards lies the lovely Martindale to which these fells form virtually all the boundaries. The secondary spurs of The Nab and Beda Fell enclose the valleys of Bannerdale and Boardale. In a basin between Angletarn Pikes and Brock Crags, both grand places to look down on the head of the Patterdale valley, lies the jewel of this group Angle Tarn; one of the loveliest in the district with a distinctive shoreline and tiny islands. This is an area of great diversity of scenery, from the wild places overlooking Haweswater to the softer charms of Martindale and the beautiful shores of Ullswater. There is one more reason to look forward to a days walk here, and that is because the head of Martindale has long been the home of deer. They can often be seen, and if you are lucky enough to get reasonably close make it a day to remember.

ROUTE ONE. PLACE FELL FROM MARTINDALE VIA HIGH DODD.
2miles 1800ft of ascent. To High Dodd it is 1 mile 1075ft of ascent.

  The ascent starts at Garth Heads in Boardale where a short track leads down to a footbridge. Go up right past a barn to join a path slanting up the fell. Higher up the path from Sleet Fell connects and here turn left below the slopes of High Dodd. The path begins to descend to the sheepfold on Low Moss, but at this point swing back up the fell to the cairn on High Dodd. A direct route down to Low Moss is easily made before the wide track up the facing slope to Place Fell is tackled. The return is best effected by descending to Boardale Hause there taking the rising path to Bedafell Knott on the opposite side of Boardale. Continue along the undulating ridge to Beda Fell and descend over the delightful little peak of Winter Crag. .

ROUTE TWO. PLACE FELL FROM MARTINDALE VIA WINTER CRAG AND BEDA FELL.
4.5 miles 2250ft of ascent.  

   Although the Beda Fell ridge can be gained from it's extremity it is far pleasanter to walk past The Lodge to Winter Crag Farm and there ascend the path to the ridge. The path drops down to Howsteadbrow in Boardale, but turn left along the ridge and climb up to the rocky peak of Winter Crag. A little descent is followed by a steady climb made interesting by an old grooved path above which the slopes are easier. The lower cairn is prominent now and is easily visited on the way. The main cairn is on a slight rise and level ground continues the ridge though there are many rises and falls during it's traverse. When the path from Martindale crosses just beyond Bedafell Knott turn right along it and drop down to Boardale Hause. The slopes of Place Fell rise ahead and the track is all too clear seeming to require a bit of effort. It is not necessary to go all the way to the Hause as a path will be seen crossing the grasslands and cutting the corner. My preferred route down to Martindale would be to follow the path north eastwards by Low Moss and retaining the ridge beyond High Dodd over Sleet Fell.The descent is quite steep but unless done in icy conditions should present no problems.

ROUTE THREE. PLACE FELL FROM PATTERDALE VIA BIRK FELL AND THE KNIGHT.                           

3 miles 1800ft of ascent.

 This route is a fine way up to Place Fell far superior to the usual way by Boardale Hause. The first objective is Side Farm down the track by the old school; where turn left along the lakeside path to Sandwick. Follow this for about half a mile, and watch for a path slanting up the hillside near a barn and some woodland. There is an enclosure to the left of the path which meets the upper track from the quarries and directly ahead the path for Place Fell begins. This climbs up to the upper plateau at Hare Shaw; where as it bends sharply right towards the main summit a detour should be made to the top of Birk Fell (Bleaberry Knott). I have included it as one of my main tops as it certainly has some merit, and possibly more than others usually regarded as principal heights. The paths here are sketchy at present and the unspoilt summit is delightful with a fine prospect of Ullswater. Return to the main path and a short way up on the left is the little rocky ridge of The Knight. The terrain eases after this before the last steeper slope below the summit. If a slightly longer descent than the obvious one by Boardale Hause is wanted then go north east down to the sheepfold at Low Moss, and there turn down left to join the Lakeside path below Scalehow Force. There are many rises and falls but the scenery is grand and deserves a leisurely appreciation.

ROUTE FOUR. HIGH RAISE FROM BURNBANKS VIA LOW RAISE.
4.5 miles 2000ft of ascent.

  This is the most direct way to High Raise from the foot of Haweswater. Proceed through the bungalows and turn up by the plantation to join the track that runs alongside the reservoir. This allows splendid views to the fells at the head of the valley. When Measand Beck is reached turn up a path on the far side that permits a little scrambling if desired, and there are some good vantage points for Measand Forces. Do not cross the footbridge on the more level ground above, but look for a path to the left on the slopes of Measand End. This is another example of a graded track across a steep slope, but once on the top it is the best part of two miles to the tumulus on Low Raise. It is not a bad idea to leave the path on Long Grain to have a look down Whelter Crags. A simple walk beyond Low Raise completes the journey to High Raise. Returns can be made along the ridge northwards to Keasgill Head and then bearing right for Low Kop and Measand; or with more effort go down the side of Whelter Crags to the Castle Crag Fort and the lakeside path. A little longer than this and the ridge down to Haweswater from Kidsty Pike can be used.

ROUTE FIVE. HIGH RAISE FROM MARDALE HEAD VIA KIDSTY PIKE AND RAMPSGILL HEAD.
3.75 miles 2150ft of ascent.

    Take the path round the head of the reservoir and ascend gradually to The Rigg where the climb ahead may be studied. This is a nice viewpoint for the lake. Descend a little into Riggindale, and follow the path round to the bridge over Riggindale Beck. A path climbs the fellside above, and after some toil the more interesting terrain of Kidsty Howes will be reached. Between here and Kidsty Pike there is a more gradual ascent relieved by the view across Riggindale to Rough Crag and High Street. Perhaps a Golden Eagle will be seen if you are lucky. Leave the Pike as though heading for High Street, but as the path starts to curve left beyond the slight depression keep ahead up gentle slopes to the summit of Rampsgill Head. Visit the viewpoint cairn above Rampsgill, and then follow the ridge north east for High Raise. Have a look at the face of Rampsgill Head as the descent to the depression is made. The supreme way down would be to go to High Street and descend over Long Stile and Rough Crag. A longer route continuing over Mardale Ill Bell to Nan Bield Pass is also an excellent route back.

ROUTE SIX. HIGH RAISE FROM HARTSOP VIA BROCK CRAGS, REST DODD, THE KNOTT AND RAMPSGILL HEAD.
4.5 miles 2700ft of ascent.

    High Raise may not often be the first thought as a main objective from Hartsop or Patterdale as in the next route. However the plan is to reach the highest summit and High Raise is just that. I have given separate ascent notes to Place Fell as that is often the target for a days walk. Leave Hartsop from the car park passing the sheep pens and up the surfaced lane to the filter house. Here swing back on a good track that soon runs above the intake wall. A short way ahead turn up right on a slanting path which will take you up to the depression between Brock Crags and Satura Crag. A simple detour to the left (by the wall at first) leads to the cairn overlooking Brothers Water. Go back to the depression, and make the slight ascent to the wall corner on Satura Crag where the Patterdale path comes in. At the far end of the rocky section ahead the path going up to Rest Dodd will be seen. This fell can be omitted if desired by staying on the main path direct to The Knott. The ascent of Rest Dodd is simple enough, and gives a fine aspect of the line of crags circling above the head of Bannerdale. There is a fair descent to the col before the climb alongside the wall to The Knott. When the main path is reached it can be followed round to the back of the summit leaving a very easy climb to do. At the time of writing there were early signs of a connecting path from The Knott to Rampsgill Head! Re-cross the main path and bear left up to the latters summit perhaps with the help of this new path. Now only a simple walk north east remains to arrive on High Raise. For a return to Hartsop go back to The Knott and descend to Hayeswater. The Nab has not been included in these notes, but can be added by following the wall met on the ascent to Rest Dodd to the Rampsgill edge to pick up the ridge path. It will involve another two miles, and an extra 700ft to the ascent. The fell is best visited by less active walkers on a shorter expedition

ROUTE SEVEN. HIGH RAISE FROM PATTERDALE VIA ANGLETARN PIKES, REST DODD, THE KNOTT AND RAMPSGILL HEAD.
5.25 miles 3000ft of ascent

  Leave Patterdale by the bridge serving the houses at Rooking bearing left at the cottages up to a gate accessing the fell. Ascend the path taking the lower alternative shortly after though both do arrive on Boardale Hause. From the hause take the path to the right which soon enters a shallow trough complete with stream at times before crossing the top of Dubhow Beck to the foot of the main Angletarn Pike. A short climb leads up to the narrow summit with it's grand view to Kirkstone. The south top with a view of Angle Tarn can and should be visited before rounding the tarn and proceeding to Satura Crag where route Six is joined. Please refer to those notes for the rest of the ascent. The descent to Hartsop is also the best variation route back to Patterdale.