Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell and High Seat Walking

The central ridge of Lakeland may not have dramatic pinnacles along its watershed but the tops are richly carpeted with heather, the flanks are beautifully wooded and the very centrality means breath-taking panoramas. Skiddaw looks sensational from here, as does Blencathra. The Helvellyn range marches alongside you to your east. Steep slopes fall westward from your feet into steamer-waked Derwentwater. Save this one for a good day.

Skiddaw from Bleaberry Fell  © Norman Hadley
Skiddaw from Bleaberry Fell
Fetching Map

Detailed description

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NY2821922689 There are a few pull-ins along the lane to the caravan park. You know the drill about parking responsibly, right? Start walking south up the lane.

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NY2836622105 There's an acute fork in the path, closely followed by a footbridge, closely followed by another fork. In each case take the right. There are fingerposts to Walla Crag so it's not difficult.

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NY2772521288 Just before the summit of Walla Crag, there's a stile over the fence. It's well worth going close to the edge here to experience the view down to Derwentwater and Great Wood. Just don't tip over the edge unless you're armed with a parapent.
Panorama from Walla Crag  © Norman Hadley
Panorama from Walla Crag
© Norman Hadley, Jun 2023
The way to Bleaberry Fell is clearly visible heading south. Only the last, eastward swing, is steep. From there, head south through a landscape of heather, to High Seat. In summer, this area is rich in stonechats and broad-bodied chasers. You can see how little reascent is required in this view from across the lake.
Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell and High Seat from Catbells  © Norman Hadley
Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell and High Seat from Catbells
© Norman Hadley, Mar 2023

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Panorama from High Seat  © Norman Hadley
Panorama from High Seat
© Norman Hadley, Jun 2023
From the stone shelter, head NW on turf. This very soon becomes a stone-laid path dropping down the shoulder of Dodd, parallel to Ashness Gill.

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NY2703719706 At the bottom of the open fell, you'll suddenly find a cluster of tourists around the photographic honeypot of Ashness Bridge. Take the footpath on the eastern bank of the gill, signposted to Great Wood. Keep going, broadly on a contour to the Great Wood car park. Keep going through this, then swing up the slope a little to a higher contour heading NE.

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NY2803722359 When you reach the gill, turn right, head up tthe southern edge of the gill to a footbridge. Cross this, and go up to the lane you started from.

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Further Routes

by Norman Hadley



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