Route: High Rigg
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 5th December 2020
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.8 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny, some snow on the ground
This is a walk we’ve followed many times and is one of our favourites. We parked as usual in one of the roadside spaces on the A591 near Legburthwaite and after crossing the nearby ladder stile made our way up Wren Crag towards the ridge. The flanks of the crag are adorned by some fine old pine trees but it’s shame that a number of these – perhaps 20 or 30 – fell victim to gales three years ago. The so-called ‘Beast from the East’, which was followed by a couple of other gales from the same direction, was the obvious culprit, since the trees are all lying on an east/west axis. This wind direction is highly unusual for the Lake District, and so the root systems of the trees had not grown to cope with it
When we reached the knobbly summit ridge we followed the undulating path up and down and after about 1.5 miles arrived at the summit of High Rigg. There are lovely views from here, particularly those looking towards Blencathra
We then descended in the same direction as the ridge to reach the hause between High Rigg and Low Rigg. From here we followed a narrow lane for a few yards, passing by tiny St John’s Church, before joining a path which hugs the lower flanks of High Rigg, and from which there are good views across St John’s in the Vale
Near the end of the vale we passed by Low Bridge End Farm (where tea and cakes are available in season) and continued along the valley path, which rises above St John’s Beck and then descends back to the start
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Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The day before the walk, pine trees on the shore of Crummock Water, with the crags of Mellbreak in the background...
Next day, more pine trees at the start of the climb up High Rigg, here looking across to Castle Rock
Castle Rock again
We climb towards Wren Crag, which signals the start of the ridge leading to High Rigg
From Wren Crag, a view back along the road from Keswick to Ambleside...
...and to Thirlmere and Raven Crag
Having gained the summit ridge, we follow Long Band and its many ups and downs
St John's in the Vale on our right, and Blencathra in the distance
Looking back down into St John's in the Vale
Skiddaw in the distance as we continue along Long Band
Calfhow Pike on the far side of St John's in the Vale
St John's Beck beneath the crags of Clough Head...
A view back along the ridge, with the Helvellyn range in the background
We climb over this ladder stile at a col along the ridge
We pass around an unnamed tarn, one of several hereabouts
High Seat and Bleaberry Fell on our left as we continue along the ridge
Blencathra
We skirt around this unnamed tarn
The summit of High Rigg comes into view, mid left of picture
Looking back along the path
Another unnamed tarn, looking toward Clough Head
The spine of the Eastern Fells, culminating in Helvellyn
Grisedale Pike on our left
Gilly below, on the final section of the ridge leading to the summit of High Rigg
From the summit of High Rigg, St John's in the Vale below - this will be our return route
We descend from the ridge to a col between High Rigg and Low Rigg, home to St John's Church and the Youth Centre
St John's Beck below
We pass by tiny St John's Church at the start of the return leg
We follow a path besdie the dry stone wall, which gradually curves round into St John's in the Vale
Looking back to Bridge House and St John's Beck, with Blencathra beyond
We pass by this ruined building
St John's in the Vale on our left
Castle Rock at the head of the vale
Looking along St John's in the Vale, with the Eastern Fells on the left
The dry stone wall is our constant companion along the length of the valley...
The path passes above St John's Beck and the end of the walk is just around the corner
