Route: Walla Crag
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 25th July 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.6 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Sunny and very hot
On an exceptionally hot day, which turned out to be the hottest ever recorded in the UK, a long fell walk would have been very arduous. Our thoughts turned to one of our favourite lower lakeland fells – Walla Crag – which we visit at least once a year
We parked in the National Trust car park at Great Wood and followed the footpath heading south along the wood. We soon arrived at the ominous sign ‘Cat Gill – very steep!’ This is our preferred route and so we ignored the alternative sign pointing to Walla Crag via a longer and gentler route
The Cat Gill path is indeed steep and rocky (and is much easier to ascend than descend) but there are no dangers. Hands aren’t needed and it provides a very quick way to the top. Before long we arrived at Lady’s Rake from where it’s a short stroll to the summit. From here there are superb views over Derwent Water. It was a clear day and we could see Scotland in the far distance beyond Bassenthwaite Lake.
We retraced our steps to Lady’s Rake and then followed the path which leads up to Bleaberry Fell, but we soon branched off that to walk above Falcon Crag in the direction of Borrowdale. We descended gently to Ashness Bridge, a popular beauty spot, where I took the obligatory photo to add to the thousands that have been taken from here
This marked the start of the return leg and, from the bridge, we followed a path above the road and below Falcon Crag, with lovely views over Derwent Water all the way. This brought us back to Cat Gill and after crossing the footbridge we retraced our steps back to the start. It was a great little walk
After the walk was over we made the short drive into Keswick to visit Stuart McGlennon’s Lens District Gallery and nearby Keswick Boot Company. Anyone looking to buy a landscape photo of the highest quality or a comfy pair of walking boots, is highly recommended to visit these local independents. The Keswick Boot Company is also running a challenge for charity, in brief: buy a badge, pick a Wainwright fell, climb it, take a photo at the top and upload it. It’s a worthy cause with prizes on offer, more details here. Two badges were duly acquired, and we look forward to our next fell 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 today's walk from the National Trust car park at Great Wood
Waterfall in Cat Gill, where we turn left to follow the steep path beside it...
Emerging from Great Wood to baking hot sunshine on the open fellside
Looking back to Falcon Crag and Derwent Water
Heather coming into bloom as we continue the ascent
Lovely retrospective views on this section of the walk - Bleaberry Fell left
...Derwent Water...
...zooming in to the head of the lake and to Borrowdale
Maiden Moor right of picture
Summit of Walla Crag, looking over Keswick towards Skiddaw, and a distant view of Scotland
Derwent Water and Keswick from the summit
This is how a professional does it - one of the many wonderful photos taken by photographer Stuart McGlennon (see the link in the introduction)
Rampsholme Island and St Herbert's Island
Looking in our direction of travel as we retrace our steps for a short distance
We re-cross this stile
The snaking path ahead leads to Bleaberry Fell, but we'll turn right at the depression ahead
We follow the path above Falcon Crag, one of the best in lakeland, with ever improving views into Borrowdale
Looking across to Derwent Water and its islands, and Bassentheaite Lake beyond
Rounding the corner...
...to this wonderful view to the head of Derwent Water and Borrowdale
Zooming in on the Jaws of Borrowdale at the head of Derwent Water - King's How left and Castle Crag right
Head of Derwent Water
We descend towards Ashness Bridge
The Jaws of Borrowdale and the head of Derwent Water again
Ashness Bridge is bottom right of the photo and from there we'll start the return journey
Ashness Farm on the left
At High Strutta we turn right to follow the sign to Ashness Bridge
A lovely spot, although its charms are probably exaggerated thanks to its accessibility by road. This is the cliché photo from Ashness Bridge
A much rarer photo taken looking in the other direction
We follow a lovely path above the road, heading north now in the direction of Keswick...
Looking back to the head of Derwent Water
One of the Keswick Launches heading for Lodore
We continue along the lovely mid level path
A glimpse of Rampsholme Island between the trees
Looking across to Catbells and Maiden Moor as we re-enter Great Wood and retrace our steps back to the start
Cat Gill waterfall again, and the end of a wonderful short fell walk
On the way home, a visit to Keswick Boot Company to collect our badges for the Wainwright Challenge
