Place Fell & Ullswater Circular hike

Car parking for Place Fell

There is a large car park in Patterdale opposite the Patterdale Hotel. This will fill up quickly at the weekend so be sure to arrive early. At time of writing (June 2025), parking here is coins only and cost £5 for the day. This is private land and is the overflow for the hotel opposite.

Public transport option

The 508 public bus runs from Penrith Rail Station to Windermere and stops in Patterdale. 

Place Fell and Ullswater Circular Route

Starting from Patterdale, a stony track near the school leads to Side Farm, where there may be a tea room open. Head right through the fam buildings and then head left up the hill at the end of the track when you pass through a gate. The path heads gradually uphill, rising steadily to give you stunning views of the southern part of Ullswater.

The path continues to Boredale Hause, a broad saddle between Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes. This was historically an important crossroads for local shepherds and traders and is now the place where you’ll see several paths veer off in different directions into the fells. Here, you’ll see Place Fell to your left, with the obvious path zig zagging up the side. 

The path here is a bit of a slog but the views over to the Helvellyn range, down to Brother’s Water and Kirkstone Pass and over Ullswater are worth the effort. Towards the summit there is one rocky section to scramble over before the final path leads to the trig point on the summit. 

Place Fell summit

The summit of Place Fell (657m) offers breathtaking 360° views. Place Fell gets its name from the old Norse plass, meaning “pasture” and despite its height, the summit area is surprisingly broad.

From the summit, follow the high path past the small tarn before High Dodd comes into view in front of you. It’s worth taking the short detour to the summit of High Dodd (501m), a distinctive grassy knoll that feels surprisingly remote. The view here over Ullswater is wonderful and this is a perfect place to stop for a quiet snack before continuing your hike. 

Retrace your steps from High Dodd and begin descending the well marked path curving back down towards Ullswater. You’ll pass some old mine buildings and a few small waterfalls before reaching the path that heads around Ullswater. 

This path forms part of the Ullswater Way, a popular 20-mile walking loop that encircles the entire lake. This stretch hugs the lakeshore through woods and past small beaches on a good path, although it is rocky and uneven in places. The combination of mountain and lake scenery is magical especially in the golden hours of late afternoon.

Follow the waymarked path back to Side Farm and onward to Patterdale once again where you can enjoy a well earned drink or bite to eat at the White Lion Inn or Patterdale Hotel.

How hard is Place Fell?

Place Fell is a moderate route with a steady incline over good paths. Almost all the elevation is at the beginning leading to the summit of Place Fell so once on the top, it’s all pretty much downhill, unless you detour to High Dodd. You still need a good level of fitness but this is a great route for beginner mountain hikers to try. The lakeside path along Ullswater is a gorgeous finish to the route.

Place Fell and Ullswater Circular route on the Ordnance Survey App