Route: Walla Crag
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 3rd March 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.7 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: overcast and rather dull
We parked in the National Trust car park at Great Wood and followed a track in the direction of Ashness Bridge, ignoring a sign for Walla Crag which appeared after a short distance. We were ascending via a different and more direct route, and one which we’d not used for several years
Our route was to be alongside Cat Gill, and when we reached the fork in the path it was signposted ‘steep climb!’ Steep by whose standards we wondered’ If those of Chris Bonnington, then we were in trouble. As we anticipated however, there were no difficulties and most of the steep sections were made easy by rocky staircases
We were soon at the top admiring the wonderful views over Keswick and the north western fells – however it was a shame that the weather was rather dull and lifeless
The descent to Rakefoot was a pleasant stroll, with good views of Skiddaw and Blencathra though their heads were covered by cloud. We walked back into Great Wood and along the forest paths back to the start of an enjoyable short walk
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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)
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Red squirrel in the garden before we set off this morning
Start of the walk as we follow the path out of the Great Wood car park
We ignore the sign for Walla Crag and head in the direction of Ashness Bridge
We follow the sign for Cat Gill
One of several waterfalls as we climbed up beside the gill
I do enjoy a moss covered dry stone wall
Looking back down the path, with a glimpse of Derwent Water
Catbells on the far side of Derwent Water
We emerge onto open fellside
Looking back towards Borrowdale
We climb over a stile in the dry stone wall to reach the summit of the fell
The view of Derwent Water from Walla Crag - superb, even on a dull day
Lord’s Island and Derwent Isle
Keswick
Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite - hard to imagine that the 2 lakes joined during the recent terrible floods
Rampsholme Island, St Herbert’s Island and Causey Pike
Looking east in our direction of travel as we start the descent, Clough Head
Descending to Rakefoot
The buttresses of Blencathra across the valley
Approaching Rakefoot…
Latrigg, and the Skiddaw fells beyond
A short section along the quiet lane from Rakefoot
Derwent Water and Causey Pike
We re-enter Great Wood
The north west fells again
Back into Great Wood and from here we follow the forest path back to the start…
