A Scout Scar Amble
Just to the west of Kendal is a precipitous limestone escarpment which looks out westwards over the Lyth Valley beyond. This is Scout Scar, from the Underbarrow Road it is a short and excellent stroll, or an unhurried amble.
The unsurprisingly named Mushroom topped cross-wall shelter gives a little respite from a bitter winter breeze. On a clear day the toposcope along the inner rim of the cap directs the eye to the fells. Green islands of juniper dot the landscape with spiky leaves which seem immune to the grazing of fluffy black cows. Only a few trees stand tall against the wind.
Over the edge of the escarpment the views are stunning, sun filtering through thick winter clouds make for fleeting and dramatic lighting. Looking out to Morecambe Bay, Heysham power station could be seen on the skyline, but not Blackpool tower on the day we were there.
The Mushroom is the summit of the fell according to Wainwright in his Outlying Fells book. There is another top about 270m (297 yards) north which although is marginally higher has no interesting feature.
Park at the car park just over the summit of the Underbarrow Road having climbed out of Kendal, not the first car park on the right directly under the mast, but carry on just round the corner to the second one.
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Across Lyth Valley to Morecambe Bay
Inside the Mushroom, Scout Scar
This walk takes you to the top of the following hills: Scout Scar (Wainwright summit) and Scout Scar; and includes 1 Wainwright Outlying Fell and 1 HuMP.
- Maps:
50K: 97
25K: OL7
- Start:
- SD488923 (get directions via Google Maps)
- Near to:
- Ambleside, Kendal, Lake Windermere, Windermere
- Tags:
- limestone, Wainwright outliers
- Distance:
- 4.2km (2.6 miles)
- Ascent:
- 78m
- Min. time:
- 0 hrs 58 mins
- View in 3-D:
-
- Terrain:
- 3 - very rough/boulder scree
- Bog Factor:
- 1 - none
- Tech Diff:
- 1 - easy
Care required as limestone has a habit of being very slippery when it's wet. - Dog issues:
- You may encounter cattle.
Potentially dangerous for a dog.
Precipitous drop off the escarpment means dogs must be in control.
Purchases:
Buy walk in Adobe/PDF format to print or for your phone or tablet
Buy route for your GPS
Route Description
Return towards the road from the car park and bear right down the gravel pathway, cross the road and go through the gate. Follow the wide path, bearing slightly right to climb along the fellside. There are numerous benches here most with fine views.
After 100m (110 yards) the views really open out, and the gradient eases. At the top of the incline bear left along the top of the escarpment. Beware the steep drop to your right!
After a little way along the rather rough, and when wet rather slippery top, the strange mushroom shelter comes into view. Head over, and look up at the inside rim of the domed top.
When you've finished exploring the view continue along the escarpment. There are many paths along here at various distances from the edge. Although you can choose your own and explore the area we recommend keeping near the edge for the outward views. In approximately 1.3km (0.8 miles) you'll find a large cairn close to the escarpment edge.
Climbing from the road onto Scout Scar
On Scout Scar: don't fall down
The Mushroom, Scout Scar
Large cairn on Scout Scar
At the large cairn turn left onto a path and climb up to the ridge line, and turn left again to return back towards the shelter. Before reaching it the trig point comes into view. Bear left to visit the trig point.
From the trig point go through the gap in the wall just to the right. Continue along the path back to the shelter which is again in view.
A path continues straight ahead to the top of the incline where you turn right and descend back to the car park.
Kendal in the distance from Scout Scar
Scout Scar trig point
Unless otherwise stated the text in this walk is the copyright of Hug Solutions Ltd trading as The Hug and the photographs are the copyright of Elizabeth Oldham. Hill data is derived from Database of British and Irish hills which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Maps contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011 and paths © OpenStreetMap Contributors,CC-BY-SA, 2011