Starting point: Keswick  (NY 265233)  Distance: 5.4 miles  Ascent: 1119'  Date: Wednesday 17th February 2010

A walk up Walla Crag from Keswick via Friar's Crag and Cat Gill.  Although only of modest height, there are wonderful views from the top as the crag drops away steeply towards Derwentwater.

Route: From Keswick town centre, walk to the boat landings at Crow Park.  Continue along a footpath to Friar's Crag, a fine low-level viewpoint.  Head east towards the Borrowdale Road and enter Great Wood.  Continue south to enter Cat Gill and ascend to a plateau at the head of the gill.  Follow a wall upwards to the summit of Walla Crag.  Climb the wall stile east of the summit cairn and continue to follow the wall downhill to Rakefoot.  Walk along a narrow lane for a short distance before turning left over a footbridge and walk downhill through Springs Wood back into Keswick.

Catbells from Friar's Crag

Snow-clad north-western fells across Derwentwater

Walla Crag from Friar's Crag

Friar's Crag crowned with Scots pine trees

Blease Fell, Blencathra

Great Wood

The path up Cat Gill

Derwentwater through the trees

Climbing out of Cat Gill, there is a lovely view

The summit of Walla Crag with superb views all round ...

... Skiddaw ...

... Blencathra ...

... The Dodds ...

... Keswick Vale ...

... Keswick ...

Looking south towards Great End and Great Gable

The north-western fells across Derwentwater

A close-up view

What a view!

The descent route to Rakefoot

Walla Crag on the descent

Keswick, with St John's Church prominent on the return path

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Copyright © 2010 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved