A Fair Snape Fell Circuit


Home	The 214 Fells Map	My Diary

11th October 2020

I had absolutely no plans to walk today and with completing yesterdays walk report earlier than expected I checked the afternoon forecast, blimey it was just too good to waste. My gear was scattered about the house, some of which was still drying which meant I was rushing about like a banshee trying to get organised.

With the essentials packed I left home at midday, topped up my fuel tank and while I was at it, grabbed something to eat and by 12.30pm I was northbound. It had dawned on me that I might struggle to park given the late hour which shouldn't matter too much because part of my route involves road walking and should I not be able to park I would have been happy to have left my car along any of the routed lanes.

I was right where upon arrival at Fell Foot Farm I struggled to park and turned my car around so I could resort to a plan B and as luck would have it, a car was just leaving. Ditch the plan B Paul

Ordnance Survey OL41

Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale

Overview

Ascent:	1,700 Feet - 518 Metres
Marilyn:	Fair Snape Fell
Summits:	2, Parlick - Saddle Fell
Weather:	Feeling Mild For The Time Of Year. A Bright Day Throughout. Highs of 14°C Lows of 14°C Feels Like 10.2°C Over The Summits.
Parking:	Roadside Parking, Fell Foot Farm
Area:	Forest of Bowland
Miles:	6.2
Walking With:	On My Own
Ordnance Survey:	OL41
Time Taken:	2 Hours 50 Minutes
Route:	Fell Foot Farm - Parlick - Nicks Chair - Fair Snape Fell - Saddle Fell - Saddle End Farm - Wolfen Mill - Fish House Lane - Fell Foot

Parking Details and Map

Nearest Post Code:	PR3 2NQ
Grid Reference:	SD 601 442

Map and Photo Gallery

Looking back on Fell Foot with Longridge Fell and Pendle Hill in the distance 12°C 13:20pm

After securing a parking place I quickly kitted up and in my rush to leave I left my walking poles behind but on the plus side I'm wearing shorts for the first time in weeks. Once I pass Fell Foot I hit the hill where instead of making a direct ascent I contour around the waist of the fell side before a final steep pull onto the summit.

Beacon Fell (left) and the Lancashire countryside as far as the Fylde coast from Parlick.

As far as views and clarity go this afternoon has it in bucket fulls. I took this photo while looking directly at Blackpool Tower, unfortunately because I'm using my mobile phone camera for todays photos I'm unable to zoom in but it's definitely there.

Fair Snape Fell from Parlick summit.

As I de-layered I got talking to a young family who were also ascending and although it doesn't look it in the photo we all agreed today was the busiest we'd seen Parlick, most of the people were sat behind me just enjoying the Autumn sunshine and who could blame them.

Fair Snape Fell seen beyond Blindhurst Fell.

If you have 3 hours to spare I can certainly recommend this walk, just look how inviting the ridge looks, easy walking too.

Fair Snape Fell from Blindhurst Fell.

Well my hands don't know what to do with themselves, I'm really missing my walking poles even if there just something to hold...Old habits die hard eh!

Fair Snape Fell is just ahead.

Looking back on Blindhurst Fell and Parlick.

This route on a day like today is one for the family with four kids enjoying the hill while their parents look on from way behind.

Paddy's Pole on Fair Snape Fell.

A brisk wind saw me roll down my sleeves but that was about it. With the summit reached I walked past the summit shelters towards the Trig Point where I was treated to a surprising view.

Black Combe and the South Lakeland fells from Fair Snape Fell trig point.

In all my visits to Fair Snape Fell today was the first time I could see the Lakeland fells stretching from Black Combe on the left to the Coniston and Great Langdale Fells over on the right. What a treat.

The word snape means ‘pasture’ and Fair Snape Fell means ‘fell of the fair (beautiful) pasture’

As the crow flies the South Lakeland fells are over 37 miles away.

Not bad for a mobile phone camera although the clarity does help. Just in case you were wondering that's Heysham Power Station seen bottom left.

Open moorland.

Or beautiful pasture whichever you prefer.

Heading for Saddle Fell.

In order to reach Saddle Fell you first have to negotiate the peat troughs over the top of Wolf Fell which on a day like today just adds to the landscape but when it's wet, miserable and the cloud is down Wolf Fell is no place for the novice walker.

I at first follow a faint path through the peat troughs towards where the fence (seen right) passes through a wooden gate (up ahead) but in order to reach the gate it's easier underfoot to steer left just to avoid the bogs and peat troughs.

Open country.

Which I enjoy whilst eating todays petrol station star buy, a BLT roll, yum yum.

Peering into the Yorkshire Dales towards Ingleborough just under 20 miles away.

Descending Saddle Fell.

The stone path ends at a second wooden gate where I turn right onto Saddle Fell. There is a large stone cairn and shelter which are buried within a grassy trough to the left of the path which is worth a little exploration...turns out the shelter has been well thought out offering protection from the elements due to it being built so low in the trough.

Pendle Hill (left) and Longridge Fell (right) from the descent of Saddle Fell.

Looking back on Wolf Fell and White Stone Clough.

White Stone Clough is the name given to the prominent 'ridge' seen centre left.

Passing through Saddle End Farm.

If it hadn't been for the pick up trucks and barking dog I'd have said Saddle End Farm appeared deserted today.

Longridge Fell.

At over 5 miles in length there has never been a more apt name given to a fell.

Next I pass through Wolfen Mill.

From Saddle End Farm I join the quiet country lanes while enjoying the views over Longridge Fell which extended as far as Winter Hill where I had walked just days earlier. I turn left and pass through Wolfen Mill which have been modernised into luxury cottages.

Wolf Fell and Saddle Fell as I walk back to Fell Foot.

Parlick from Startifants Lane, Chipping.

It had dulled over slightly as I walked back to where I'd left my car and upon arrival I was pleased to see it was much less busy. The sun came back out as I swapped from my Meindl walking boots into my North Face lows but with cars still looking to park it felt a little uncomfortable to hang about so I started my car and began the forty five minute drive home.

I'd only been driving for a minute when I spotted this view of Parlick by a farmers gate and after a quick check in my rear view mirror I stopped and grabbed my mobile phone to take this picture. The pony had been standing in the middle of the field but by the time I was ready to jump back in my car she arrived at the gate where I stroked her nose whilst keeping an eye out for oncoming traffic.