A different approach and exit from Fair Snape than the route from the south (Feb 2019), or the “tourist” route from below Parlick. A nine mile or so circuit, with 1500ft of ascent and excellent views.
From spaces off the road south of Stang Yule go north and take the signed path right for a short distance to a track/road. Turn left on it, through two gates and onto a track which leads up and east alongside the Fell Plantation wall. A zig-zag as a track joins from the valley carries you on and up across the flank of Hazelhurst Fell. At the track’s apex a grassy track north leads to the Summit OS trig column, which is worth it for the panorama. On a good day Preston and beyond, the Welsh hills (probably Clwydian), Blackpool tower, the “forest” of windmills in the Irish Sea, the Lake district southern and central hills, and the top of Ingleborough can be seen, as well as Fair Snape and Parlick. Return to the track and descend and reascend round Winny Bank, when all three of the Yorkshire “peaks” can just be seen, and take a look at the memorial to various airmen killed in separate crashes near here in the second WW. Just beyond, a cairn indicates a muddy track opposite, which can be taken a short distance to see some remains of one plane. Don’t continue on here, the going is not good, return to the main track and descend to a right-angled corner, where a very squelchy path continues gently (slope-wise!) up to Fiendsdale Head. A paved path helps for a short while on your way towards the Cairn at 520m on Fair Snape Fell, but thereafter, if wet, an in and out bog trot, through some deep groughs in places, leads to the Cairn. Crossing and recrossing the fence (easily) on your left can occasionally help. Beyond the large cairn follow the fence which goes SW, (not E!), and at the next fence cross a stile and carry on SW (careful here in bad visibility) towards the cairn, shelter and trig point at 510m, overlooking the coastal plain and the known world according to the the NorthWest.
Go SE down the edge of the Fell to find the grassy track, marked with a cairn which zig-zags down easily to a permissive path after a wall, leading through fields to Higher Fair Snape. There join a track leading northerly, becoming grassy, to join another track curving to Holme House. Follow this north again then west past Hazelhurst and through the pleasant deciduous Clough Heads Wood to the hamlet of Clough Heads Cottages. Turn right up a slope on the track past Bleasdale Tower and the estate offices back to your start.
The track by Fell Plantation Preston from Hazelhurst Fell Fair Snape Fell from near Hazelhurst Fell Plane wreckage on Winny Bank Parlick from Fair Snape The Lakeland Fells from Fair Snape Descending the zig-zag track from Fair Snape.
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