26th May 2017 - Seathwaite Fell, Allen Crags and Glaramara
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.8 miles
Total ascent: 3262 ft
OS map used: OL4 - The English Lakes, Northwestern area
Time taken: 8 hrs
Route description: Seathwaite-Stockley Bridge-Styhead Tarn-Sty Head-Seathwaite Fell-Sprinkling Tarn-Allen Crags-Glaramara-Thornythwaite Fell-Thorneythwaite Farm-Seathwaite
My last day in the Lake District and another glorious day for being on the fells. It's even warmer than yesterday but there's also a much stronger breeze to go with it, so it still feels comfortable. The three Wainwrights that I did today; Seathwaite Fell, Allen Crags and Glaramara were all last done on the same day in October 2009, actually by more or less the same route except in reverse. Clear skies, warm sunshine and great visibility despite the heat made this a fantastic way to round off my week in the Lakes.
After parking by the side of the road to Seathwaite I made my way to the end of the road and along the bridleway through Seathwaite Farm, then to Stockley Bridge, up Styhead Gill and to Styhead Tarn and Sty Head. From Sty Head I took the path east to Esk Hause and when I reached Sprinkling Tarn left it to make my way north across Seathwaite Fell, visiting the highest top and the Wainwright top along the way. Lunch taken at the Wainwright top I retraced my steps to Sprinkling Tarn and back to the path to Esk Hause. Before the lower pass and the cross shelter was reached I turned left and climbed to the summit of Allen Crags. I then walked north along the ridge to the next summit of Glaramara before visiting the top of Combe Head and descending the ridge of Thorneythwaite Fell down into Borrowdale. I was then left with following the footpath along the track to Thorneythwaite Farm and through fields back to Seathwaite.
Total ascent: 3262 ft
OS map used: OL4 - The English Lakes, Northwestern area
Time taken: 8 hrs
Route description: Seathwaite-Stockley Bridge-Styhead Tarn-Sty Head-Seathwaite Fell-Sprinkling Tarn-Allen Crags-Glaramara-Thornythwaite Fell-Thorneythwaite Farm-Seathwaite
My last day in the Lake District and another glorious day for being on the fells. It's even warmer than yesterday but there's also a much stronger breeze to go with it, so it still feels comfortable. The three Wainwrights that I did today; Seathwaite Fell, Allen Crags and Glaramara were all last done on the same day in October 2009, actually by more or less the same route except in reverse. Clear skies, warm sunshine and great visibility despite the heat made this a fantastic way to round off my week in the Lakes.
After parking by the side of the road to Seathwaite I made my way to the end of the road and along the bridleway through Seathwaite Farm, then to Stockley Bridge, up Styhead Gill and to Styhead Tarn and Sty Head. From Sty Head I took the path east to Esk Hause and when I reached Sprinkling Tarn left it to make my way north across Seathwaite Fell, visiting the highest top and the Wainwright top along the way. Lunch taken at the Wainwright top I retraced my steps to Sprinkling Tarn and back to the path to Esk Hause. Before the lower pass and the cross shelter was reached I turned left and climbed to the summit of Allen Crags. I then walked north along the ridge to the next summit of Glaramara before visiting the top of Combe Head and descending the ridge of Thorneythwaite Fell down into Borrowdale. I was then left with following the footpath along the track to Thorneythwaite Farm and through fields back to Seathwaite.
Route map
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Making my way through Seathwaite Farm with Seathwaite Fell in front of me
On the path to Stockley Bridge
Stockley Bridge over Grains Gill
Looking back to Borrowdale from above Stockley Bridge
Scafell Pike and Lingmell from Styhead Gill
A brief stop for refreshments beside Styhead Tarn with a view of Great End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike and Lingmell
The stretcher box at the Sty Head Pass
Wild camper and Styhead Tarn
Looking back to Great Gable and Green Gable from the path to Sprinkling Tarn
Great Gable and Green Gable from the highest top on Seathwaite Fell. Unfortunately this isn't the Wainwright top, which is at the northern end of the fell.
Allen Crags and Esk Pike
Great End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike and Lingmell
Lingmell, a glimpse of Wasdale and the Sty Head Pass
Glaramara. I'll be there later this afternoon.
Looking north across Seathwaite Fell. The Wainwright top is at the far end.
Approaching the Wainwright top
There's a great view of Borrowdale from this end of the fell so it's worth the visit
Looking back across the rest of Seathwaite Fell to Great End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike and Lingmell
Great Gable and Green Gable
Great End looms above Sprinkling Tarn
Sprinkling Tarn is one of my favourite tarns in the Lake District. It's in a great situation, being surrounded by high fells.
Looking back to Sprinkling Tarn..
..from the path up to Esk Hause. That's Allen Crags on the left, my next port of call.
Great Gable and Green Gable from the top of Ruddy Gill
Bowfell and Esk Pike from the summit of Allen Crags
Ill Crag and Great End
Great Gable, Green Gable, Sprinkling Tarn and Seathwaite Fell
A bit of Borrowdale down on the left, Skiddaw, Derwent Water and Glaramara
Helvellyn and Fairfield in the distance behind the nearer Ullscarf and High Raise
Looking past the Langdale Pikes to Windermere
Past Lincomb Tarns between Allen Crags and Glaramara
A short detour to the west side of the ridge gives me a view down to Seathwaite and where Styhead Gill and Grains Gill meet near Stockley Bridge
On the south top of Glaramara looking to the higher north one
On the summit of Glaramara. Looking northwest to Brandreth, Grey Knotts, High Stile and the northwestern fells.
Bowfell, Esk Pike, Ill Crag and Great End
Great Gable, Green Gable, Pillar, Brandreth, Base Brown, High Stile and Grey Knotts
Helvellyn and Fairfield beyond Ullscarf and High Raise
Harrison Stickle and Pike o'Stickle with the Coniston fells in the distance on the right
Finally, I have a great view looking north down Borrowdale to Derwent Water, Skiddaw and Blencathra
The same again from the top of Combe Head
Turning round to see Bowfell to the left of the summit of Glaramara
Great views of Borrowdale as I make my way down Thornythwaite Fell
Looking up The Combe to Combe Head
The final descent into Borrowdale
On the track to Thorneythwaite Farm
and the footpath back to Seathwaite