Gavel Fell and Blake Fell from Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater

Return to the road at the entrance of the car park and turn right to go through the gate labelled "High Nook Farm No Parking". Follow this rough roadway to High Nook Farm, through the yard and exit through the gate to the immediate right of the farmhouse. The rough track starts climbing immediately, with Highnook Beck to the right in a deep ravine.

At the top of the track, go through the gate in the intake wall, and bear slightly right to continue along the track.

In 100m (110 yards) bear left on a grass track rising up to the saddle behind the grassy knoll to your left, and with Black Crag to your right. There is a fine view of the little Highnook Tarn in the combe below.

Do not go over the crest of the ridge.

Nearing the crest, bear right on a narrow path to climb steeply amongst knolls along the ridge above the edge of Black Crag. Meandering through the moss, grass and bilberry is very pleasant if a little steep at times - a good excuse to look at the views behind you to Fellbarrow, the Vale of Lorton, and the Grasmoor range of fells.

Once above Black Crag the gradient eases and becomes damp. Follow the path as it bears left and aim for a cairn visible in the distance. After a couple of boggy dips the cairn is reached. This the Birkett of Gavel Fell - High Nook. Gavel Fell summit is just the other side of the fence visible higher and further south west.

Drop down to the again boggy depression and climb the final slope to the fence which can be crossed easily enough at the step-stile for humans. Jessie struggled and had to be lifted over.

The summit cairn of Gavel Fell is then a few steps to the left.

From the summit of Gavel Fell, stay on that side of the fence and turn sharply right to head roughly north west along the fence. Descend on soft mossy grass following the fence as it first bears slightly left and then turns right. Descending towards Fothergill Head keep to the path as it cuts off the corner and then climbs the other side to a junction of paths and fences.

Cross the fence at a curious hurdle construction, or use the step stile nearby. Dogs can easily get under the hurdle in the corner. Bear right on the path climbing up the ridgeline. Keep with the path as it continues to the cairn/windshelter at the summit of Blake Fell.

Return to Fothergill Head, not forgetting to cross the fence again at the curious hurdle at the junction of fences. Instead of bearing right onto the short-cut, keep with the fence and descend to the step stile. Turn left over the stile, noting the boundary stone at the base of the old fence post has the initials I and G carved into it.

Now follow the path ahead, narrow but followable with care. Highnook Beck quickly cuts a deep ravine just to your right. The gradient gets steeper and the views out more dramatic. Keep out of the ravine, and any becks feeding it. The path makes use of various grooves, at least one of which does veer right into the ravine. Keep left, and as the path becomes ever steeper watch for the start of the zigzags which initially go left before right. You'll see the bottom of the path and the lie of the path in good time.

At the bottom of the steep slope, bear right and cross the beck. On the other bank bear left and head to Highnook Tarn in its beautiful little setting. Cross the outfall and the rudimentary dam, and bear left to join the rough track back to the gate in the intake wall. Follow the track back to the farm and then on to Maggie's Bridge.