Route: Latrigg
Area: Northern Lake District
Date of walk: 4th December 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.0 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Weak sun
It’s been a year since we we last walked up Latrigg. This modest fell stands at an elevation of 1,203 feet, but punches well above its height in terms of the views from its summit. These are superior (in my opinion) to those from Skiddaw, which towers up behind it and is nearly 2,000 feet higher. The only drawback of Latrigg is that its proximity to Keswick, the ease of the ascent, and the superlative view make it a little too popular at times. This isn’t a walk I’d follow at peak times, unless setting off early
We parked as usual on the roadside at Briar Rigg and walked up Spooney Green Lane, crossing the bridge over the busy A66 along the way. After climbing up through Latrigg Woods we joined the path leading to the top of Latrigg. The climbing was easy throughout and, as Wainwright puts it in his Guide to the Lakeland Fells, ‘anybody who cannot manage this short and simple climb is advised to give up the idea of becoming a fellwalker’. Latrigg may lack drama and excitement, but the views from it are beautiful
After climbing up a zigzagging path at a gentle gradient we arrived at the wonderfully situated bench near the summit. We’d been keenly anticipating this moment and weren’t disappointed. The view was as glorious as ever – the rooftops of Keswick below, the full length of Derwent Water beyond, and an array of lakeland peaks
We hadn’t decided on our return route at this stage, but the weather made our decision for us. Grey skies came in and the light became dull and overcast, so we took the quickest and easiest way back by retracing our steps. Longer routes back may be taken along the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Track, or via Brundholme Wood.
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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)
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The start of today's walk from the roadside parking spaces on Briar Rigg. We walk along Spooney Green Lane towards Latrigg in the background
We enter into Latrigg Woods, home to red squirrels
The path heads towards Skiddaw
Looking across to Bassenthwaite Lake
We continue to climb through Latrigg Woods
We leave the wood to enter onto the fellside
Looking back to the north west fells
The start of the zigzags
Looking back along the path towards Grisedale Pike
An early view of Derwent Water and Keswick, but better is to come...
Looking across to Bassenthwaite Lake
We arrive at the start of the ridge leading to the summit of Latrigg, with its wonderful view over Keswick towards Derwent Water
Gilly continues up the easy ridge
Looking back along the path
The eastern fells on our right as we continue along the ridge
The view of Keswick and Derwent Water again, with Catbells in the centre
We continue towards Blencathra, hidden behnd the clouds
Scots pine surveying its domain
Another view of Derwent Water as we reach the end of the ridge
We had intended to continue beyond the gate and follow a slightly longer circular route, but the light was deteriorating rapidly and so we retraced our steps from here
Later that week, a red squirrel in the garden...
