The glorious view from the summit of Walla Crag in the Lake District
Castlerigg Hall, the Gateway to Lake District Walking
Did you know that our holiday park here at Castlerigg Hall is situated within some of the Lake District’s most beautiful scenery with some amazing walks? There are so many viewpoints to choose from here around Castlerigg and Keswick but one that surely takes the breath away is the outlook from the summit of Walla Crag.
Other scenic Lake District walks >
Rising to the south of our park Walla Crag’s rather tame appearance belies the grandeur and breadth of views that you can see from the summit. But before we get carried away with what is visible let’s start from the beginning and the way to the top!
Walla Crag Walk Statistics:
- Walla Crag Height: 379 metres / 1243 feet
- Elevation type: Mostly medium with some steep sections. At the end you can scramble to the summit or take a walkable route
- Distance: 1.6 kilometre / 1 mile
- Time: 35 mins
Walking Route: Castlerigg to Walla Crag
The ascent to Walla Crag
1. Leaving the Castlerigg Hall gate, turn right and head up the lane until you reach Rakefoot Farm (approx half a kilometre).
2. When you come to the lane end at the junction, take the right-hand road. Then cross the footbridge over Brockle Beck (which was rebuilt after Storm Desmond), and the start of the ascent of Walla Crag.
Setting off on this picturesque walk
3. Begin to climb the path following the dry stone wall on your right. Look out for some old traditional slate gate stoops with holes for rails which could be over 200 years old.
4. After about 200 meters you come to the fell gate. Passing through this gate you are now in open fellside and dogs must be kept under close control with sheep present.
Keep your dogs on a lead after passing through this fell gate
Fun fact: As you climb the next section you may still see an old iron bar buried within the grass. Until quite recently there were many iron bars in the ground which had been used during the Second World War to assist training vehicles grip the soft wet ground as they accessed Castlerigg Fell for manoeuvres.
5. Keep going until you are presented with a choice of routes:
- Straight on and you follow an old track with Brockle Beck below. This is the easier route to Walla Crag and also provides the opportunity to discover the remains of an old hut with sandstone fire pillars still visible.
- To the right, the path follows the wall up. It has quite a bit of erosion and is steeper than the other way. This is the route this walking guide will continue to follow.
6. Once you have reached the top of this first incline you will be able to see wonderful views of Castlerigg, Keswick, Skiddaw and Blencathra. Continuing along this path you drop down over a boggy patch and then start to head back up again.
The view back towards Castlerigg Hall from the Walla Crag footpath
7. Ignore the path going off to the right and as you reach the top of this pitch you will see a kissing gate on the right.
Below are some Yew trees that must be very old as things take a long time to grow in this exposed section. I often wonder if they grew naturally or were planted for a purpose.
8. We are now presented with two choices to the top of Walla Crag:
- Through the kissing gate is the most adventurous route to the summit. However, there are some slippery rocks and drops to consider – care is needed on these sections. The final section onto the summit is a lovely little scramble on the rocks.
Fun fact: Keep an eye out for a worn section without heather right on the precipice edge. This is the launch point for paragliders and you may be lucky enough to see one launch when the weather conditions are favourable.
Paraglider sailing over Castlerigg Hall on a beautiful day in the Lake District
- The alternative route at the kissing gate is to continue on the path following the wall on your right. Go down a gradient and then back up which will bring you to a stile in the wall where you can access the summit quite easily. There is also a vertical plank to lift which will allow your dog to get through.
And so to the summit and what a view!
What you can see from the summit of Walla Crag
9. You’ve made it! Why not find a grassy seat and spend some time taking in the panorama?
Walla Crag summit walker and dog admire the viewpoint
Beneath Walla Crag lies the great expanse of Derwentwater, the Queen of the Lakes with its picturesque islands and wooded shoreline.
Further to the north west, you see Bassenthwaite Lake leading the eye to distant wind turbines at Bothel and beyond to Criffel hill over the Solway in Scotland.
And all around a 360° view of the fells. Too many to mention, but gazing south you look into Borrowdale and see the Scafell group and Great Gable. Following in a clockwise direction you see the Western Fells including favourites Catbells, Causey Pike and Grisedale Pike. Moving round you see Keswick lying in the valley floor with Skiddaw rising up behind and further on the northeast lies Blencathra. Due East you can see part of the Helvellyn range and finally around to the rounded top of Bleaberry Fell.
The view from this walk of Keswick town and Skiddaw rising behind it
The descent from Walla Crag
10. As you leave the summit you pass the cairn and climb over the stile. From here you can see other paths which lead to Bleaberry and Ashness.
Looking back from the path off the summit of Walla Crag
11. Turn left here to head back to our park. Take the path that leads through the heather as this will bring you down via the track and provides a circular walk. If you look closely in front of you in the distance you can see Castlerigg Stone Circle with Blencathra beyond.
Fun fact: Beneath your boots many feet have trod this land over the centuries, from Neolithic man, the Romans, Shepherds and Poets and rather randomly even Roger Daltry who was here for the filming of the 1976 film Tommy.
12. Soon you arrive back at the fell gate. From here retrace your steps back to the park.
Walla Crag Walk Summary
Most of the photos taken on this particular morning in October (with the exception of the paragliders) show an inversion of cloud over Derwentwater and Keswick which gradually burnt off to reveal the valley, lake, town, villages and Castlerigg. You can see more photos in our gallery below.
Though you may not get such glorious sunshine, whatever the weather the view rarely fails to disappoint.
Fancy a slightly more challenging walk? We’ve created walking guides for other Lake District mountains and fells, including Haystacks and Helvellyn. Find them here:
Some days though, it’s just a little too rainy to take on the Lake District fells. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in the Lake District… far from it! We’ve listed 50 brilliant things to do on a rainy day. With categories including the best museums, fun things to do with children and unique attractions to the Lakes, you’ll never be left at a loose end again!
Staying safe in the Lake District
If you’re planning on walking Walla Crag please be mindful of your own abilities. Different walks are suitable for different people, so choose your route with your group’s walking level in mind to ensure an enjoyable experience.
These walking instructions were correct at the time of writing. However, we’d always recommend taking a map just in case things have changed, or you fancy getting off the beaten path!
Finally, please remember to check the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing and footwear before setting off on a walk. We’d always recommend waterproofs in the Lakes – better to be safe than soggy!
WALLA CRAG from Castlerigg walk IMAGE GALLERY:
