21st May 2017 - Walla Crag to High Tove
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.6 miles
Total ascent: 2750 ft
OS map used: OL4 - The English Lakes, Northwestern area
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: NT car park, Great Wood-Rakefoot-Walla Crag-Bleaberry Fell-High Seat-High Tove-Watendlath-Ashness Bridge-NT car park, Great Wood
After driving up from home this morning I arrived at the National Trust Great Wood car park at about 1100, just as the skies were starting to brighten up from overnight rain. I'm staying in Keswick for six nights and with plenty of Wainwrights in the area that will go towards completing my second round I won't have any trouble working out routes that will include them. I'll be checking into my accommodation at the end of this afternoon but first since the forecast is good for the rest of the day I decided that I'd start as I mean to go on by doing this walk on the central fells above Derwent Water. All four of the Wainwrights I visited went towards my second round and apart from High Tove (March 2012), I hadn't been to their tops since November 2008. It stayed cloudy through the afternoon with just a little sunshine every now and then. The relatively dry spring put doing this route in my mind. The central ridge is the boggiest bit of Lakeland but today it wasn't too bad.
From the National Trust Great Wood car park I set off by taking the footpath at its back that heads northeast through the woodland and emerges on the lane to Rakefoot. At the end of the lane at Rakefoot I took the footpath to Walla Crag. From Walla Crag I then made my way up to the summit of Bleaberry Fell (a sheepfold en route proved handy as a shelter for having lunch), before heading south along the ridge to High Seat and High Tove, The Pewits between High Seat and High Tove was the boggiest bit. I now made my way down to the hamlet of Watendlath and after taking a break in the tea room followed the road north down the valley through Ashness Wood and to Ashness Bridge. Just the other side of Ashness Bridge was the footpath that took me back to the Great Wood car park.
Total ascent: 2750 ft
OS map used: OL4 - The English Lakes, Northwestern area
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: NT car park, Great Wood-Rakefoot-Walla Crag-Bleaberry Fell-High Seat-High Tove-Watendlath-Ashness Bridge-NT car park, Great Wood
After driving up from home this morning I arrived at the National Trust Great Wood car park at about 1100, just as the skies were starting to brighten up from overnight rain. I'm staying in Keswick for six nights and with plenty of Wainwrights in the area that will go towards completing my second round I won't have any trouble working out routes that will include them. I'll be checking into my accommodation at the end of this afternoon but first since the forecast is good for the rest of the day I decided that I'd start as I mean to go on by doing this walk on the central fells above Derwent Water. All four of the Wainwrights I visited went towards my second round and apart from High Tove (March 2012), I hadn't been to their tops since November 2008. It stayed cloudy through the afternoon with just a little sunshine every now and then. The relatively dry spring put doing this route in my mind. The central ridge is the boggiest bit of Lakeland but today it wasn't too bad.
From the National Trust Great Wood car park I set off by taking the footpath at its back that heads northeast through the woodland and emerges on the lane to Rakefoot. At the end of the lane at Rakefoot I took the footpath to Walla Crag. From Walla Crag I then made my way up to the summit of Bleaberry Fell (a sheepfold en route proved handy as a shelter for having lunch), before heading south along the ridge to High Seat and High Tove, The Pewits between High Seat and High Tove was the boggiest bit. I now made my way down to the hamlet of Watendlath and after taking a break in the tea room followed the road north down the valley through Ashness Wood and to Ashness Bridge. Just the other side of Ashness Bridge was the footpath that took me back to the Great Wood car park.
Route map
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I start the walk by making my way along paths to Rakefoot through Great Wood
Out of the woodland and some of the northwestern fells come into view
As well as Keswick and Skiddaw
Just before I reach Walla Crag the top of a crag gives me a chance to take in a great view of Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite Lake and the Vale of Keswick
Derwent Water, Crag Hill, Grisedale Pike and some of the other northwestern fells from Walla Crag
Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick and Skiddaw
Looking towards the cloud topped fells around the head of Borrowdale
Making my way to Bleaberry Fell
A bit of cotton grass by the path brightens things up
Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Vale of Keswick and Skiddaw from Bleaberry Fell
Cloud drama on the Helvellyn range from the summit cairn
Looking south to High Seat. I hope those are brighter skies that I can see.
Cloud is covering the tops of Bowfell and the Scafells but Great Gable is just about clear
Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick and Skiddaw
Cloud on Blencathra with Clough Head on the right
After an uneventful crossing of the normally boggy ground from Bleaberry Fell I arrive at the trig point on High Seat
It's definitely brightening up as I look south down the central ridge to Ullscarf
The cloud has now cleared from Bowfell, Scafell Pike and Great Gable
Grisedale Pike, the Lord's Seat fells, Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw
Looking back north to Bleaberry Fell with Skiddaw and Blencathra behind
Crossing the fence as I head south to High Tove
Approaching High Tove, which barely rises above the general height of the ridge. Despite all the recent dry weather there was a nasty boggy bit crossing The Pewits.
Helvellyn from High Tove
Ullscarf to the south
Bowfell, Esk Pike, Glaramara, Scafell Pike, Lingmell and Great Gable
Dale Head, High Spy, Grasmoor, Crag Hill and Grisedale Pike
High Seat and Blencathra
Heading down to Watendlath. I think I'll indulge myself and visit the tearoom.
Break had I'm walking down the road to Ashness Bridge..
Through Ashness Wood
Derwent Water and Skiddaw from Surprise View
The classic view of Ashness Bridge. I wasn't the only one here. There were a few other people just of shot to my left waiting for me to finish taking a photo.
I finish with a walk across the hillside from Ashness Bridge back to Great Wood