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The Screes from Nether Wasdale

Information

Recommended Ordnance Survey Maps - Outdoor Leisure Map 6 - South Western Area (1:25,000)

Start and End Point – Nether Wasdale (NY123040).

Distance – 10.625 miles (17.1 kilometres) not including gradient.

Distance including gradient – 11.557 miles (18.6 kilometres).

Time - 6 hours

Maximum Height Achieved - 1998 feet, 609 metres above sea level

Total Ascent - 2461 feet, 750 metres

Accommodation - Campsite at Nether Wasdale and also Wasdale Head.  Hotels in Nether Wasdale.  See Accommodation Guide and please mention this site when booking.

Public Transport -

By Rail - Station at Ravenglass.

Tourist Information Offices - Seatoller - 017687 77294 or Keswick - 017687 72645

 Useful Website - The Wasdale Web – Accomodation, Information, Webcams, News, Weather

Introduction

Away from the bustle of Bowness, Windermere and Keswick, Wasdale is a superbly tranquil valley.  Home to the deepest lake in England, it is the hub for many glorious walks.  Because it’s harder to get to than the tourist hotspots of the lakes in the east, it tends to attract walkers stopping over the night.  It’s well worth the extra travelling time.  The choice and range of walks are endless.  Add to this some superb Pubs, with great beers and traditional food, it really is a superb base.

The circular walk described below takes in the Screes that provide the dramatic backdrop to England’s deepest lake, Wastwater.  In this route the start and end point is Nether Wasdale, where there is a variety of accommodation (Camp Site and Hotels).  There are also a couple of good places to eat and drink.

There are a few alternative starting points to this walk, including the roadside parking alongside Wastwater, and also the car park at Wasdale Head.  If you do not fancy the height, the obvious alternative would be to walk around the lake instead of the climb up Whin Rigg and Illgill Head.

There is nothing difficult or scary about the Screes.  It is hard under foot though and be prepared for the stones moving underneath you (even the larger ones – which could be disconcerting for some).  Walking along the screes is superb fun.  The trick is to go at your own pace and make sure you keep your footing.  It’s fairly easy to slip, especially in icy or wet conditions.  Be careful but enjoy it!

P.S. All photographs are point and click. Click on them for a larger, more detailed image.

Nether Wasdale to Whin Rigg

Map

 

Approaching Greathall Gill       Nether Wasdale from the base of Greathall Gill       Wastwater and the Screes from the base of Greathall Gill        The ascent up the path alongside Greathall Gill       Sellafield in the distance as a rain shower approaches

Set out down the road in a South-Easterly direction towards Wasdale Head and Santon Bridge.  At the road junction (Grid ref NY 128039) turn right towards Santon Bridge.  After approximately 300 metres, take the public footpath on your left (West).  Go past Easthwaite and you will see Greathall Gill on your right.  It’s a tree-lined gully heading up the side of Whin Rigg.  Take the footpath (South to South-East) up the left side of Greathall Gill.  It’s a bit of a slog up this section, and to be honest the only real ascent of the walk. 

At the top of the ascent, turn left (North-East) along the main path to the summit of Whin Rigg and you will be at the summit within 1 kilometre.

Whin Rigg to Illgill Head and then down to the beginning of The Screes

The summit of Whin Rigg       Out to the Irish Sea from Whin Rigg. Nether Wasdale lies below with Sellafield in the distance       The Mosedale Horseshoe and Great Gable from Whin Rigg. Ahead lies the path to Illgill Head

The relatively short walk between Whin Rigg and Illgill Head is extremely enjoyable.  There are a couple of paths; one staying well away from the crags and one that skirts reasonably close to the sides.  It’s worth noting that the crags are crumbling.  In places you can see the fresh red stain on the stone where the iron rich stones have dropped away, adding to the screes underneath. 

Wastwater from the crags of Whin Rigg       Wasdale Hall (Youth Hostel) from the top of Broad Crag and Bell Crag       Harter Fell from the tarns above Bell Crag       The flaking crags on the approach to Illgill Head and the slippage of the ground can clearly be seen       Whin Rigg and the crags from the approach to Illgill Head

Close to the edge are some pretty dramatic views of the lake below as well as the surrounding fells.  Take a look at the ground you are walking on.  Clear slippage lines can be seen, close to the edge, where the ground is distinctly ridged in linear grass covered waves.

The summit of Illgill Head       Illgill Head from Fence Wood       Wasdale Head from the path above Wasdale Head Hall Farm

At Illgill Head, you have reached the summit point of the walk, at 609 metres.  Not high, but very satisfying nevertheless.  From now on, it’s all downhill towards Wasdale Head (North) in the distance.  Once you get to the path above Wasdale Head Hall Farm, you could, if you wish, take a break at Wasdale Head.  It adds another 4 kilometres to the walk, but from now on it’s all flat in any case.  In this route, the choice is to forego the Pub and head straight for The Screes.

The Screes

The beginning of the Screes path leaving Wasdale Head Hall Farm       Along the Screes path       Looking back across Wastwater to Yewbarrow       Looking back along the rocky Screes path. Yewbarrow lies across Wastwater       The rocky crags above the Screes

Jock Mackay, deep in thought, waiting for the 'slower' scree walkers       The Screes       Wastwater, with Middle Fell and Yewbarrow in the distance

Love them or hate them, The Screes provide a great flat walk.  There are some minor up’s and down’s (in terms of ascent and descent) but nothing much at all.  The route varies between a simple path to the rocky Scree outcrops.  Sometimes the scree is a huge expanse of small stones, then the next scree is full of large boulders.  In between  you have a relatively straightforward lakeside path.  You have to watch what you are doing over the stones and boulders but it really is great fun.

The Return to Nether Wasdale

The view from Lund Bridge       The Crags and Screes that provide the Wastwater backdrop, from Low Wood       The Crags of Whin Rigg and Illgill Head from Woodhow

At the end of the Screes, follow the path around Low Wood up to the road at Woodhow.  Go left (West) and take the road back past Galesyke and up to Nether Wasdale.  At the junction, keep right, following the road signs to Nether Wasdale.

 

This walk and pictures are protected by copyright©. Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without the prior permission of the author. If you wish to use this document, then please click the contact link on the main pages. I would also like to hear your comments and thoughts. If you use this document for your walk please give me feedback (good or bad). If you have very good quality photographs and a good narrative and want them on these pages, contact me also.

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Author - Antony Towers – 23rd May 2004. I hope you enjoy this walk either virtually or in reality as much as I did. Your safety is your responsibility. Always use a map, compass and be equipped for the conditions. Conditions can change very quickly, even at low levels. Check the weather conditions before setting off and always be prepared for Mother Nature.

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