The four small hills featured here lie in the vicinity of the River Brathay west of Ambleside and the head of Windermere. They are usually visited for their own attractions, which are manifold, rather than combined with other fells. Within the boundaries of this particular area all manner of delights await the walker who comes here. The fells themselves do their utmost to appear rugged, and not seem to be inferior to the higher summits nearby. Many lakes and lovely tarns adorn the surrounding valleys, and indeed tarns and smaller pools can be found in plenty on the hills as well. It is a veritable paradise for visitors of all persuasions, and truly exhibits the very best that Lakeland has to offer. Here will not be found the wild grandeur of Bowfell, the Scafells or Great Gable, but those who habitually turn to those magnificent places would do well to consider the hills under review here. Pre-eminent must be Loughrigg Fell, a mountain range in miniature, and not to be taken lightly in mist when it's array of rocky knolls and complex network of paths can prove difficult to unravel even to those who think they know the fell. Loughrigg caters for everybody; from the motorist who wants a short stroll, to the elderly and others limited in their capacity to climb or walk on rough ground. Even those with boundless energy will find much to savour in a traverse of the ridge and the lovely views. At it's feet Loughrigg has Grasmere, White Moss, Rydal Water, the head of Windermere, Elterwater and in a delightful setting a tarn which bears it's name. Lingmoor Fell separates Great and Little Langdale and is a fine crescent shaped ridge. Linked to it is the rocky little peak of Side Pike and both share superb views of the Langdale Pikes, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell. Black Fell rises north of the beautiful Tarn Hows and looks north to Fairfield, and east across Windermere. From here and even more so on Holme Fell the dominant feature is Wetherlam. Holme Fell tries to stand it's ground with a fierce display of crags and scree above Yewdale, but this belies it's true nature which is one of great charm and colour. Yew Tree Tarn and the little Holme Ground Dams are pretty sheets of water here. These small fells deserve better than to be left for a day when the weather is too poor to consider the higher mountains. They will serve the purpose of course, but they will not be at their best.

ROUTE ONE. LINGMOOR FELL FROM DUNGEON GHYLL VIA SIDE PIKE
2.25 miles 1450ft of ascent. 1 mile 900ft of ascent to Side Pike.

      From the Old Hotel at Dungeon Ghyll follow the road to the right round to a stile providing entry to the camp site; where keep right to another stile marking the start of the path ascending to the summit of the road to Blea Tarn. Without going through the gate or stile at the top tum back left up a clear path that winds up through the small crags to the top of Side Pike. It is obvious that a direct descent to continue this walk cannot be made; so go back down the path a short distance, and take the path coming up on the left. This curves round above steep ground to a ledge and a 'Fat Man's Agony' where rucksacks will have to be pushed through to ease the passage. A stile below here accesses the main path up the ridge to Lingmoor, and this too is rough in part, but simple enough when ascending. Note Lingmoor Tarn below on the left when the ridge levels out. The best route back is to follow the fence down to the right to a plantation of larches beyond which the path descends a shoulder to the Blea Tarn road. A circuit of the tarn can be made before returning to Dungeon Ghyll.

ROUTE TWO. LOUGHRIGG FELL FROM AMBLESIDE VIA TODD CRAG AND
IVY CRAG.
2.5 miles 1200ft of ascent.

ROUTE THREE.  BLACK FELL FROM TOM GILL VIA TOM HEIGHTS.
2.5 miles 1050ft of ascent. .75 miles 550ft of ascent to Tom Heights.

  Take the path up Glen Mary by Tom Gill to Tarn Hows noting the fine waterfall on the way, and walk along the western or near shore. Tom Heights is a worthwhile short climb; the path to it turning up on the left not far from the dam. The path returns to the main one beyond Tarn Hows near a gate opening onto the track between Oxen Fell High Cross and Knipe Fold. Go right up the rise and continue to a gate and signpost on the left which marks the start of the bridleway to Skelwith Bridge. At the top gate (Iron Keld) tum up a path on the right for Black Fell. After admiring the view from the top visit the well made cairn with a seat plinth nearby before returning to Iron Keld. Here the journey could be resumed on the track to Low Amside where turn down left to a gate, and descend the path to the road at Tongue Intake. Cross the road and follow the path alongside it to Oxen Fell High Cross and down to Yew Tree Tarn.

ROUTE FOUR. HOLME FELL FROM OXEN FELL HIGH CROSS VIA IVY CRAG.
1.75 miles 700ft of ascent. 1.5 mi1es 625ft of ascent to Ivy Crag.

  Take the surfaced lane west of the main road to High Oxen Fell Farm beyond which the track continues over a low ridge to Hodge Close. Before reaching the latter go through a gate on the left which skirts above the main quarry before rising through woodland to another gate. Just a short way ahead a side track on the left leads to another quarry which is interesting, but the route to Holme Fell ascends the bank to it's right and comes to a lovely artificial tarn; one of the Holme Ground Dams. Skirt round the far end on rather wet ground, and bear right below a rocky bank to join the path at Uskdale Gap coming up from Yewdale. Directly ahead now is Ivy Crag involving a short steeper climb on a good path with the big cairn to the left at the top. If the scenery is clear explore the narrow rocky ridge south before leaving. The little summit ridge of Holme Fell is now at hand to the west, but needs care if the rocks are wet to gain the top. The highest point seems to be the outcrop beyond the main cairn.