Graystones

Graystones is a fell in the English Lake District, standing in the North Western Fells region. It forms part of the ridge that surrounds the valley of Aiken Beck, a small stream flowing southwards. The fell’s name comes from Alfred Wainwright, who used it for the whole hill in his Pictorial Guide, though some maps still label the eastern top as Graystones and the western as Kirk Fell. The highest point reaches 1,437 feet according to one guidebook’s reading of the Ordnance Survey map. Gentle grassy slopes rise from the Vale of Lorton to the western summit, while the true Graystones summit lies a little further east across a shallow depression. The fell sits within a broad stretch of hilly country between the rivers Derwent and Cocker. To the west, the ridge continues through Broom Fell and Lord’s Seat before reaching Bassenthwaite Lake. On the southern side, dense conifer plantations cover the slopes, hiding Spout Force, a waterfall on Aiken Beck. The northern flanks slope gently down towards Wythop Moss, a large wetland area. From Harrot, a subsidiary summit to the north-west, walkers can look out over Lorton and Cockermouth on clear days. Graystones summit is marked by a slight rock upthrust and a small cairn nearby. The view from the top includes the Loweswater Fells and the tops around Coledale Hause, with distant glimpses of Skiddaw and Helvellyn. On very clear days, the coast of Scotland can be seen. The easiest route to the summit starts from Scawgill Bridge on Whinlatter Pass, following old walls and fences directly uphill. Other paths lead from Armaside via Harrot or from Embleton along Tom Rudd Beck.