The northernmost Wainwright fell, Binsey, stands at 447m tall at the highest point, which means it’s one of the lower Wainwright’s, but the benefits are it is easy to access, quick to walk and provides some spectacular views of the Solway coast over to Scotland.
Binsey is known locally as a hill even though it’s on the Wainwright list of fells, so is an easy one to bag. It stands alone though so once you’re up and you’ve seen the view it’s time to come down again. It makes it the perfect walk when you’re short for time and want to get the legs on fire and the heart pumping – you’ll have to stop several times to catch your breath.
You’ll have made it up to the top in under 30 minutes, or 15 minutes if you’re really blowing away the cobwebs.
The sunsets from the top of Binsey are spectacular as you get a clear view with no mountainous obstructions out to the west coast where the sun slides down into the sea. At the summit, turn around and you will see Overwater, Skiddaw mountain and a great view down Bassenthwaite lake.
The 360• views are fantastic – sometimes a smaller hill can you get the best views of the bigger hill, definitely true in this case!
It’s also a really child-friendly walk as you can take a slightly steadier walk around the left-hand side of the mountain, which also gives you a change of scenery!
The best place to park is on the ‘yellow’ minor road beside Binsey lodge, where you’ll find a small gate which takes you straight onto the hill. The footpath is grassy to the top and boggy in places so grippy footwear is essential especially for the descent. The walk is very simple, follow the wide grassy path straight up till you see the summit. The descent is back down the same path.
- Top tip – wear grippy shoes and take a bottle of water (you will get hot and out of breath from the quick, steep ascent!)
- Distance – 1.6m
- Ascent – 175m
- Time – less than an hour
- Near – Bassenthwaite
