Get Lost Mountaineering

High Seat, Bleaberry Fell & Walla Crag from Ashness Bridge

Start/Finish

Ashness Bridge National Trust pay car park (free to members) which is just after the very narrow Ashness Bridge which is about half a mile up the road to Watendlath which starts about 2 miles south of Keswick on the Borrowdale road.

Distance/Time

9 km     About 4 - 5 hours

Peaks

High Seat, 608 m, NY 287 180.

Bleaberry Fell, 590 m, NY 286 196.

Walla Crag, 379 m, NY 277 213.

OS 90: Penrith & Keswick    OL4 North Western Lakes

Introduction

This is essentially a high moorland walk some of which is over wet and boggy ground not all of which can be easily avoided despite some very good paths having been constructed. The views are excellent and extensive including Cat Bells, the Helvellyn range, Skiddaw, Blencathra, the Grisedale Horseshoe, Great Gable and even Scafell Pike. Note that this route only goes to the summit of Walla Crag so none of the crag is actually seen,

Route

(1) From the car park, walk a little down the road to the obvious stone building on the right. The path goes across the front of this building and up the hill with Barrow Beck on your left. Follow the path which is moderately steep in places but easy to follow. Higher up, it diverges from the beck and soon reaches a top with a cairn which is a good viewpoint. The ground now becomes more peaty and boggy in places but there are no difficulties. The path then seems to be passing between two cairned tops but swings right to the right hand top which is another good viewpoint. The gradient is now more gentle which also means more boggy sections until a steepening leads to a cairn and trig point which marks the summit of High Seat, 608 m. There is an east top nearby which is cairned and of very similar height so it might be prudent to visit that as well.

(2) Descend to the north following a reasonable path which soon peters out leaving one to pick a way across or around boggy areas; a stile also has to be crossed. Eventually, the ground starts to climb leaving the boggy areas behind. Follow the path up to pass a large cairn before reaching a shelter cairn which marks the summit of Bleaberry Fell, 590 m.

(3) Descend roughly north west on a good path although it is quite steep but it is stepped. Lower down the path bends to the right and passes below Brown Knotts, reached by a short detour after a sheepfold (stone walled enclosure), which many mistake for Walla Crag when looking down from the top of Bleaberry Fell. Continue north, descending slightly then ascending up towards a wood and the top of Walla Crag. When ascending, it is best to stay by the wall so as not to miss the stile. Continue to the top of Walla Crag, 379 m. There is no meaningful cairn and the broad summit area is low rock.

(4) Retrace back down but leave the wall as if heading back towards Brown Knotts. Look for another path forking right and contouring below Brown Knotts. You will soon know if you are on the right path as it soon goes around the top of huge, deep and wooded gully. Continue following the obvious path, ignoring all paths off it. If clear, you will see a white farm house in the distance but you won't be going that far. Reach a gate just before a bridge across Barrow Beck but do not cross. Instead, go right and soon reach the road at Ashness Bridge.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 3^rd October, 2024.