Route: High Rigg
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 14th February 2026
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.8 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny, -2c
A blanket covering of thick cloud, rain and gales have restricted walking opportunities for much of the year so far. Today was forecast to be dry and sunny so we decided to revisit High Rigg, one of our favourite fells. We normally park in one of the roadside spaces along the A591, but these were all taken by other walkers who, like us, had been waiting for some decent weather. We managed to find spaces in the nearby car park at Legburthwaite, owned by United Utilities (charges apply). We walked beside the busy A591 (but only for a minute or so) and then crossed a ladder stile beyond which lies an obvious path up Wren Crag. The flanks of the crag are adorned by some fine old pine trees, but it’s a shame that a number of these – perhaps 20 or 30 – have fallen victim to gales in recent years
When we reached the knobbly summit ridge above Wren Crag we followed the undulating path along the ridge. The summit of High Rigg is at the far end of the ridge, which is about 1.5 miles long. It’s best to follow the ridge from south to north in order to keep the lovely views of Blencathra and Skiddaw in front. The surrounding fells looked splendid today, with their tops covered in snow. After numerous ups and downs we arrived at the summit of High Rigg, which is marked by a modest cairn
From here we descended in the same direction as the ridge to reach the hause between High Rigg and Low Rigg. Care was needed on the descent as the ground was frozen and there were many icy patches. On reaching the hause we followed a narrow lane for a few yards, passing by tiny St John’s Church, before joining an elevated path which hugs the lower flanks of High Rigg. There are good views across St John’s in the Vale along the way
Near the end of the vale the path rises steeply above St John’s Beck, rounding the foot of High Rigg, to lead back to the start of a walk which never fails to please
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Having crossed the ladder stile by the A591 we start the climb up to Wren Crag
Wren Crag is adorned by some old scots pine trees, although a number of these have been lost to storms in recent years
A view back as we arrive at the top of Wren Crag
Another view back, with a glimpse of Thirlmere
The summit of High Rigg lies at the end of a long undulating ridge
Blencathra beyond St John's in the Vale
Looking back along our path towards Castle Rock
One of the many ups and downs along the way
Clough Head on the far side of St John's in the Vale
Skiddaw beyond the ridge leading to High Rigg
We pass by a small unnamed tarn...
St John's in the Vale below, which will be our return route
Looking back to the long spine of the eastern fells, which culminates in Helvellyn
We pass around another small tarn
Summit of High Rigg ahead, centre of picture
We descend to a ladder stile...
Looking back
We follow the path beside the dry stone wall
Clough Head on our right
The view on our left as we approach the summit of High Rigg
Looking back along the ridge from the summit of High Rigg
Looking west from a rocky outcrop at the summit
The insignificant summit cairn, looking towards Blencathra
St John's in the Vale below
The start of the descent, initially in the direction of Skiddaw and Blencathra...
We descend (gingerly as the ground was frozen solid) to the hause between High Rigg and Low Rigg, where there is a youth centre
We arrive at the hause and pass by the small Church of St John. The church was built in 1845, replacing an earlier church, and re-using some of its fabric
We head along the foot of High Rigg into St John's in the Vale
Bridge House and St John's Beck below
We head back towards the start, following a lovely path on the west side of St John's in the Vale
We pass by a ruined barn
Further along the valley path
St John's in the Vale, a beautiful and secluded little valley
Approaching the head of the valley
At the head of the valley we climb above St Jonh's Beck to round the southern end of High Rigg
After arriving back by the A591 we retrace our steps across the bridge to the Legburthwaite car park to end another wonderful walk on High Rigg
