Lake District: Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell from Keswick

[jonathan - norfolk]

The walk followed was pretty much the route as described in Wainwright's "Pictorial Guide to The Central Fells", save with a diversion to include Castlerigg Stone Circle for a brief visit on the eve of the summer solstice.

Leaving Keswick on the Ambleside Road, it's a right turn into Springs Road until the path alongside Brockle Beck is reached and followed to Rakefoot. about 100m beyond the Hotel (tiny bar, but a couple of good local real ales on offer) and the CMC site is a footpath off to the left signposted to Castlerigg Stone Circle. It's about 3 miles/5 kms round trip along good footpaths and quiet country lanes, although the busy A does need to be crossed. Access to the stone circle is free. (If you don't want to negotiate the wall style, there is easier access 75 m further down the lane to the right. The route out is followed back the road above Rakefoot.

Fields near Castlerigg

Castlerigg Stone Circle and Blencathra

Walla Crag from Castlerigg

On reaching open ground beyond the iron grid bear right and follow the wall. The path through the wall to the right which skirts the edge of escarpment is much more interesting than the main track that keeps left of the wall. It is rougher, and undulates more, but gives some excellent views on the way to the summit, which provides some excellent views across Derwent Water to the Newlands Valley, and to Keswick and Skiddaw.

Looking over Derwent Water towards Newlands from below the summit of Walla Crag

Keswick and the Skiddaw Fells

This section of the walk also coincides with a section of the Mountain Route alternative of the Cumbria Way as described in John Gillham's Cicerone guide.

The route onwards to Bleaberry Fell is straightforward and gives some good views. It is also, mercifully, dry underfoot, unlike much of the continuation of this ridge.

Bleaberry Fell

We did attempt to take the path down to the Borrowdale Road from Walla Crag with the intention of picking up the footpath to Rackfoot through Great Wood, however the path is steep and rough in places and became too much for the knees of one our party, so we returned by the route that we taken up. I'm sure, however, that the Borrowdale Road path could provide a much more interesting alternative return route for parties whose members are not all in their late 60's!

View from the descent path back down towards Castlerigg and Keswick

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Length: 11.5 miles / 18.5 km Ascent: +870m -869m Naismith: 5h 9m