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The very southern Lakes are more akin to the Yorkshire Dales and there is some glorious (and, relatively, little known) walks there. Hampsfell above Grange-over-Sands is one popular area, but this one - the National Nature Reserve of Whitbarrow - seems only to be visited by local people, and few of them too although the paths indicate that the area must be well used at some time.
We started the walk at Witherslack Hall and this is the escarpment (the Hervey Nature Reserve) that you have to ascend right at the start of the walk.
Looking back down into the valley and the Hall - which is now a school
Once out of the thick woods (and slippery limestone steps if it's wet) through which you have climbed some 600 feet the trees thin out
And, in May, you should find many orchids
At the northern end there would be fine views of most of the high peaks of the Lakes but it was very hot on this visit so there was considerable haze - these are the cairns at point 167 in the north of the Reserve - it's the Coniston Fells that you can just make out behind.
The magnificent cairn of Lords Seat - the highest point at a mere 215m
It's very windy up here as you can see from the trees
Although no path is shown on the O S maps there is one all along the ridge so that you can descend at the southern end and walk back to your car beneath the escarpment
