Route: Walla Crag
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 4th November 2021
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.1 miles
Ascent: 1,200 feet
Weather: Sunny
Standing at 1,234 feet, Walla Crag is one of the smaller lakeland fells and, as Wainwright points out, its height is easily remembered by anyone who is able to count up to four. (Shortly after posting this I learned that Ordnance Survey has taken new measurements and the fell is in fact 1,243 feet, a shame as this spoils Wainwright’s witty observation). Whatever its height, it’s a wonderful little fell with various possible approaches, all of them beautiful
We parked in the National Trust car park in Great Wood and set off full of anticipation, as it was a glorious day and autumn colours were showing well in the surrounding woodland. We followed the path heading due south away from the car park. There’s a choice of two alternative paths up Walla Crag both of which fork off to the left. We opted for the first of these today, the longer but gentle ascent via Rakefoot. Our usual choice is the shorter but much steeper route via Cat Gill, which is further along the path
Having climbed through Great Wood and emerged from the wood near Castlerigg we followed a path and a narrow road through Rakefoot, and beyond here climbed up onto the open fellside above Great Wood. There were lovely views of Skiddaw, Blencathra and Derwent Water from here
At a prominent cairn we passed through a small gate to follow a narrow path with the steep rock face of Walla Crag close by on our right. A short and simple climb soon brought us to the summit of the fell, from which there are superb views towards Borrowdale looking one way, and Keswick and Derwent Water looking the other. We then continued in the same direction and passed by the Cat Gill path. We descended gently in the direction of Borrowdale, with lovely views all the way, and eventually arrived at the well known beauty spot of Ashness Bridge. After taking the obligatory photo here we joined a narrow and little used path signposted ‘Great Wood’ which contours along the fellside above the road to Watendlath. There were lovely views over Derwent Water from here
Eventually we re-entered Great Wood, passing by our earlier ascent path, and from here we retraced our steps back to the start of a great 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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk from Great Wood car park. The sheer rock face of Walla Crag can be glimpsed through the trees, making a full frontal assault out of the question for walkers
We turn left and follow a path below the crags...
We emerge from the wood near Castlerigg to the first of many views of Derwent Water and the north west fells
Catbells, with St Herbert's Island below
Walla Crag on the left
A short section along the lane to Rakefoot
Beyond Rakefoot we enter onto open fellside to start the climb up the ridge leading to Walla Crag
Looking back down the path, with Blencathra in the background
Gilly contemplates the way ahead
We leave the main path to join a narrow unofficial path close (but not uncomfortably close) to the edge of the crags
Derwent Water and its islands seen as we approach the summit
Summit of Walla Crag. Bassenthwaite Lake is beyond Derwent Water - the two lakes combined as one in the floods last week. Criffel in Scotland can be seen in the far distance
The start of the descent as we walk towards the head of Borrowdale
We pass by the alternative ascent path via Cat Gill
Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake again
The head of Derwent Water and Borrowdale
A closer picture of the flooded head of Derwent Water
Glorious views ahead of us as we continue to descend...
We're aiming for Ashness Bridge below
The obligatory photo of Ashness Bridge
Just below the bridge we join a waymarked path on the right which will take us back to the start
Views of Derwent Water and the north west fells on our left as we follow the narrow path...
Walla Crag towering over us
Waterfall in Cat Gill, and from here it's a short stroll back to the start
There was still time to catch another hour of sun, so later that day we went for a short walk near Crummock Water. This is Low Fell and Lorton Vale
Grasmoor and Lanthwaite Green
The last of the afternoon sun over Crummock Water and the end of a perfect autumn day...
