Hen Comb
509m (1670ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
You can find Hen Comb & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):
See Hen Comb and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Hen Comb and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:
*Walk & bag all 33 Wainwrights in The Western Fells area of The Lake District in just 10 easy-to-follow circular walks.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks. Click here for more information.
NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!
   |
|---|
Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 6.25mls (10km) |
|---|---|
| Ascent: | 6ft (770m) |
| Time: | 5 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Maggie's Bridge (Loweswater) - Loweswater - Kirkgate Farm - Raven Crag - White Crag - Mellbreak (North Top) - Mellbreak - Mosedale Beck (Loweswater) - Thrang Crags - Hen Comb - Little Dodd (Loweswater Fell) - Mosedale Beck (Loweswater) - Kirkgate Farm - Loweswater - Maggie's Bridge (Loweswater)
|
|---|
Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.5mls (13.5km) |
|---|---|
| Ascent: | 2,540ft (774m) |
| Time: | 6 hrs |
| Grade: | (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Maggie's Bridge (Loweswater) - Loweswater - High Nook Farm - Highnook Beck - Holme Wood - Holme Beck - Burnbank Fell - Sharp Knott - Blake Fell - Fothergill Head - Gavel Fell - Grain Gill - Whiteoak Moss - Hen Comb - Little Dodd (Loweswater Fell) - Mosedale (Loweswater) - Mosedale Beck (Loweswater) - Loweswater Village - Maggie's Bridge (Loweswater)
|
|---|
Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9.5ml (15km) |
|---|---|
| Ascent: | 3,666ft (1,117m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Maggie's Bridge (Loweswater) - Loweswater - High Nook Farm - Highnook Beck - Holme Wood - Holme Beck - Burnbank Fell - Sharp Knott - Blake Fell - Fothergill Head - Gavel Fell - Grain Gill - Whiteoak Moss - Hen Comb - Thrang Crags - Mosedale (Loweswater) - Mosedale Beck (Loweswater) - Mellbreak - Mellbreak (North Top) - White Crag - Loweswater Village - Maggie's Bridge (Loweswater)
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Hen Comb
Tim Winn walked up Hen Comb on October 25th, 2024 [from/via/route] Maggie's Bridge [with] Barry, Paul and Roger [weather] Dry.
Geoff Hand climbed Hen Comb on September 17th, 2024 [from/via/route] Walk C212 Burnbank fell, Blake fell, Gavel fell, Hen Comb & Mellbreak from Loweswater. What a lovely area, although quite wet. Route finding early on was difficult but once on Burnbank it was quite straight forward. Weather was superb, blue sky all day. Loweswater is lovely. [with] Tess, my Jack Russell [weather] Lovely blue sky all day & warm! - Finding the way up Burnbank was difficult as there didn't appear to be any paths, but after that it was plain sailing. Great climb down Mell break!
Christine Shepherd bagged Hen Comb on May 30th, 2010 [from/via/route] Walked from Maggie's Bridge using walk c212 Climbed again on 14.10.21 using walk c413 Climbed again on 24.2.24. [with] On my own [weather] Bright & sunny - On 24.2.24 I went up the nose of Mellbreak & after visiting both summits I went down in the middle of the too to the bridleway. I followed this towards the Mosedale Holly tree before crossing the bridge & going round the front on Hen Comb for an easy ascent. I then retraced my steps back to the bridleway & followed this back to Loweswater. Lovely.
Richard Marchant hiked Hen Comb on November 12th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked at Maggie's Bridge then walked up through Holme Wood on to Burbank Fell. From here I headed along a broad ridge on to Blake Fell & continued on to Gavel Fell staying high & heading South on the broad ridge. From Gavel I dropped down to Floutern Pass & headed East & then headed North up on to Hen Comb. Retracing my steps back to the pass I carried on Eastward & then picked up a path heading Northward on to Mellbreak & eventually over it & descended steeply in to Loweswater & back by road to the car. [with] On my Own [weather] Misty start to the Day with a slight breeze but brightened up by the afternoon
Paul Macey summited Hen Comb on July 26th, 2022 [from/via/route] c212 in reverse [with] Luke [weather] Sunny
John Tippins conquered Hen Comb on July 12th, 2022 [from/via/route] From Loweswater [with] Alone [weather] Overcast most of the day & very windy on top, but dry. Sunny late afternoon.
Richard Fulcher scaled Hen Comb on April 20th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked in Maggies Bridge car park near Loweswater. Walked up through High Nook Farm & around the top of Holme Wood & then ascended up to Burnbank Fell. Continued on to Blake Fell, Gavel Fell & finally Hen Comb. Returned down Loweswater Fell to the hotel in Loweswater for a pint & a lager in the sun! [with] Jen [weather] A perfect day for walking - sunshine, light winds & some cloud in the afternoon. - Good packed lunch with chocolate biscuits & cake!
Pete George walked up Hen Comb on August 28th, 2021 [from/via/route] Loweswater [with] Roco [weather] Sunny
Michael Austin climbed Hen Comb on October 13th, 2020 [from/via/route] C212
Claire Murray bagged Hen Comb on March 7th, 2021 [from/via/route] Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell, Gavel Fell, Hen Comb & Mellbeck from Loweswater [with] Vitor [weather] Lovely! - Lovely walk over peaty ground, would be very boggy in the rain
Chris Sheard hiked Hen Comb on October 25th, 2020 [from/via/route] Across from Gavel fell [with] Jamie [weather] Winds eased, warmed up 14c (wild overnight with heavy hail) - Nice easy off over Loweswater fell - Mosedale ford washed out wet boot stream crossing - great fun!!!
Christina Lander summited Hen Comb on October 18th, 2020 [from/via/route] Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater - Mosedale Beck - Hen Comb - Gavel Fell - Blake Fell - Burnbank Fell - Holme Wood - Maggie's Bridge [with] Dick [weather] Bright start, then in the clouds on Hen Combe. Then bright with good visibility for the rest of the walk - Very boggy, might not do this exact walk again!
Nick Dobson conquered Hen Comb on March 21st, 2020 [from/via/route] Maggie's Bridge through High Nook farm & over Brown Crag & Gavel Fell [with] Margaret and Ralph [weather] clear & sunny but chilling wind - Topped Brown Crag first before moving onto Gavel Fell. We then continued onto Hen Comb. I slipped crossing stream on return to farm, bottom half drenched. First of 2020
Carl Murphy scaled Hen Comb on May 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Ennerdale [weather] Hot ๐๐๐
John Bryers walked up Hen Comb on July 9th, 2019 [from/via/route] Parked below Kirkstile Inn uing c421 walking guide. Walked up Mellbreak along to South top & down grassy banks under Thrang Crag & up onto Hen Comb. Very wet under foot & through grass & braken on route shown using C421 guide! [with] With Mya my faithful 12 year old Patterdale Terrier. [weather] Started out OK, but soon light rain & mist above 1,000ft. Wet in the grassy areas of the walk. - c421 accurate.
Dave Eyes climbed Hen Comb on June 12th, 2018 [from/via/route] Walked a circuit of Burnbank fell, Blake fell, Gavel Fell , Hen Comb & Little Dodd. Down to Loweswater for a beer & then back along the banks of Loweswater to the car. [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Lovely sunny day - brilliant views. Ended with a beer in the pub at Loweswater
Wayne Baxter bagged Hen Comb on April 5th, 2019 [from/via/route] Loweswater, Mellbreak, steep down hil (but could not find path) across Mosedale Beck at a steel bridge, steep up hill climb to Hen Comb, Loweswater. Had to get our feet wet to cross Mosedale Beck [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy all day but dry - Not a nice walk two very steep climbs & boots & socks off to get back to main path
Richard Marshall hiked Hen Comb on March 24th, 2019 [from/via/route] C212 [with] Bo [weather] Cloudy/sunny. Very Windy at times.
Andrew Johnson summited Hen Comb on January 9th, 2019 [from/via/route] Maggie's bridge [with] Tim and Ted [weather] Blue skies, chilly
Phillip Bulley conquered Hen Comb on July 12th, 2018 [from/via/route] Via Melbreak. [with] Ruby. [weather] Sunny & hot
Simon Myerscough scaled Hen Comb on May 4th, 2008 [from/via/route] C212 [with] Martin [weather] Sunny at times, very windy & gusty at times
John Almond walked up Hen Comb on September 2nd, 2017 [from/via/route] go4awalk c212 from Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater - Burnbank Fell - Blake Fell - Gavel Fell - HEN COMB - Mellbreak, south & north tops - Wainwright 114 [with] Solo [weather] Good. - Slow descent of Hen Comb & rough crossing of Mosedale, before climbing on to south flank of Mellbreak - no path & not recommended! Didn't descend White Crag - retraced path from Mellbreak north top, then traversed down a path to Mosedale, joining a good level path back to Loweswater.
John Walter climbed Hen Comb on April 15th, 2017 [from/via/route] .
Craig Steeland bagged Hen Comb on October 19th, 2016 [from/via/route] Loweswater [with] on my own [weather] partly cloudy
Mark Davidson hiked Hen Comb on April 20th, 2004 [with] Mike [weather] Clear with high cloud
Adrian Sherriff summited Hen Comb on September 9th, 2014 [from/via/route] c212
Jon Mapp conquered Hen Comb on July 23rd, 2016 [from/via/route] c212 [with] Suzzann้, Caroline and Robin [weather] Dry but cloudy, & a little windy. - A horrible walk - after Gavel fell there is no clear path to Hen comb just find a way across the bog - not enjoyable at all, the route down from Hen Comb to Mellbreak was none existent & decided to come down from the summit of Mellbreak & not complete the walk down the scree.
Joanne Mcgawley scaled Hen Comb on August 14th, 2015 [with] Rich - 8 miles
Victoria Bates walked up Hen Comb on February 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Buttermere with Mellbreak [with] Mark - Second attempt. So steep!!!!
David Noble climbed Hen Comb on November 21st, 2015 [from/via/route] Maggies Bridge [with] Chris and Jack [weather] First light snow of the winter wind 26.7mph & -3 degrees C
Elaine Evans bagged Hen Comb on September 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Mellbreak into valley & up to Hen Comb [with] Sue [weather] Beautiful day - sunny with a light refreshing breeze - Aimed to descend to bridge across river but walked a bit too far along ridge so walked alongside river until we found a place to cross via stepping stones to join path back to car near Kirkstile Inn. Very wet & muddy underfoot.
Anthony Scott hiked Hen Comb on August 30th, 2015 [from/via/route] Maggie's Bridge [with] me [weather] Perfect!
Colin Egan summited Hen Comb on June 6th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Kirkstile Inn up via old mine, descent via ridge route [with] My wife Faith [weather] Dry but very windy, almost too windy!! - Route up a bit of slog up the steep side slopes of the ridge after an easy walk in. The wind on the summit was so strong that I could only stand up with my back to the wind & poles stabbed into the ground to anchor me. Faith could only get there on her hands & knees. We will return again when the weather is kinder
Harry Meijer conquered Hen Comb on June 29th, 2015 [from/via/route] custom walk [with] The Lake District Walker
Christine Knowles scaled Hen Comb on May 9th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Loweswater via Burnbank, Blake & Gavel Fells. [with] Graham [weather] Quite windy, otherwise pleasant
Kevin Parnham walked up Hen Comb on May 12th, 2015 [from/via/route] Maggies Bridge,Loweswater [with] Jo [weather] Fine but windy - Very boggy coming off Gavel Fell & across Whiteoak Moss
Tracey Cowell climbed Hen Comb on April 20th, 2015 [from/via/route] Loweswater Fell [with] solo [weather] sunny & cloudy, warm spring day
Darren Wilson bagged Hen Comb on June 7th, 2014 [from/via/route] Buttermere, Melbreak, Hencombe Crummack water [with] Crabs
Michael Vaughn hiked Hen Comb on June 19th, 2014 [from/via/route] Maggie's Bridge [with] alone [weather] partly sunny
Charlie Housley summited Hen Comb on June 12th, 2014 [from/via/route] After summering Mellbreak, & on the way down, I met a fell runner. He asked me what my intentions were for the rest of the day. I mentioned that I wanted to walk Hen Comb but didn't fancy the direct route up from Mosedale. He suggested taking the path that runs alongside the beck round to the south side of the fell & turn right just before Floutern Cop & head straight up along the fence line. Bonza, what a great walk it turned out to be. [with] Solo. [weather] Glorious.
Clive Ward conquered Hen Comb on March 4th, 2014 [from/via/route] Parked near Loweswater. See Burnbank Fell entry. [with] Ian Jackson, Chris Francis.
Gill Watson scaled Hen Comb on April 16th, 2011 [from/via/route] from mellbreak [with] G
Darren Mortimer walked up Hen Comb on April 20th, 2013 [from/via/route] walk c212 from Loweswater [with] Dermot Palmer and Graham Panton [weather] Sunny but cold & windy
Dale Verrall climbed Hen Comb on March 12th, 2011 [from/via/route] Lowswater - Walk number C212 [with] Amber [weather] Wet wet
Stephen Byrne, Neil Smith, Patrick Rogozinski, Jenny Godfrey, Melanie Dunn, Paul Woodhouse, David Watson, Louis Smith, Jonathan Tobin, Teresa Lowery, David Shaw, Claire Rigg, David Hickin, Louise Sandwith, Pam Armstrong, Linda Mckeogh, Simon Duerden, Gordon Lee, Jill Dean, Paul Booth, Jeanette Coward, Tracey Cordes, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, Libby Burns, John Cuthbert, Stephen Millington, Andy Nicholls, Ray O'hara and John Southward have all walked, climbed & bagged Hen Comb.
To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
. . . [see less walk reports]
More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Hen Comb
High Snockrigg and Robinson, Buttermere and Fleetwith Pike from the summit of Hen Comb
Hen Comb (left), Gavel Fell, Carling Knott and Burnbank Fell (right) from Scale Hill, Loweswater
Robinson (left), Buttermere and Red Pike (Buttermere) from Hen Comb summit cairn
Buttermere Lake - with the lower slopes of High Stile (left), Hen Comb (centre) and Mellbreak (right)
Mosedale with Red Pike (Buttermere) (centre left) and Starling Dodd (centre right) beyond from the lower slopes of Hen Comb
Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Hen Comb
If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Hen Comb to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:
and we shall do our best to publish them.
(Guide Resolution = 300dpi. At least = 660pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).)
You can also submit photos via our Facebook Page.
NB. Please indicate where each photo was taken.
