Fair Snape Fell is one of the highest summits in the Forest of Bowland. The circular walk takes you up on to the ‘real’ summit on a good track but the crossing to the trig is through some rough peat hags. The final walk on the wide ridge to Parlick is a delight, the walking often accompanied by gliders.
The one mile between the western summit of Fair Snape Fell and Parlick is the most enjoyable stretch of walking in the Forest of Bowland. The track is very good so eyes can be raised to the views around. The views south and west over Longridge Fell and towards Pendle Hill are particularly impressive. It is why the circular walk is anti clockwise. An added attraction is that hang gliders may decorate the skies with their bright colours. Sadly I saw little wildlife. This is unusual as this is a relatively new and large area of Open Access land. I am hopeful they will arrive.
The challenge on this walk though is how to showcase this special mile without the remainder seeming to be anticlimactic. The first time I visited the area I simply climbed Parlick, walked up and back but I felt I was missing something. This time I included the round of Saddle Fell, the well named Wolf Fell before reaching the ‘real’ summit of Fair Snape Fell. The climb up Saddle Fell is on an excellent bridleway. However the crossing to Fair Snape is a peat hopping challenge, main worse after wet weather. However it is only an aperitif to the Parlick ridge which is truly something to savour,
It is worth visiting the large cairn and O/S pillar which is mapped as Fair Snape Fell to the west of the plateau. However it is not the highest point. This lies half a mile to the north east.
The highest point lies just to the north of a three way junction of boundaries/fences. The fences help find the summit which in mist would be challenging otherwise. It is marked by a simple cairn with a notice board explaining the new peat project in the area. Personally I like notice boards explaining the geography or history of the area.
I agree this is a fantastic walk having done it several times. However, I must disagree with the introduction that says “Fair Snape Fell is the highest summit in the Forest of Bowland”. It isn’t. That honour belongs to Ward’s Stone. I hope you can correct this.
You are right of course, I have altered the copy!
Good walk and great site. Some confusion during the first part of the walk, it becomes necessary to leave the drive when approaching the buildings and it’s easy to veer off in the wrong direction and get stuck in a field..
Please add tablet/phone friendliness to this excellent page (from KIndle Fire HD)
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