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Watendlath, Cumbria

Difficulty Strenuous

Walking time 6 hours

Length 17.8km / 11.1mi

Route developer: Fiona Barltrop

Route checker: Robin Segulem

Start location Watendlath NT car park, Cumbria
Route Summary A 10-mile circular walk from Watendlath via Ullscarf and Rosthwaite in Cumbria.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

There is no public transport to the start. Borrowdale Rambler bus 78 from Keswick to Seatoller goes via Rosthwaite (where the walk could be started). There are mainline train connections in Penrith and buses from Penrith to Keswick (0871 200 2233, www.traveline.info).

Description
[1] From the car park at Watendlath (NY276164), which is owned by the National Trust, follow the bridleway signed for ‘Armboth and Wythburn’ that heads east uphill. As you climb, there are fine views back over Watendlath Tarn and the hamlet. The path bears right (south), initially alongside a wall, then southeast across the moorland, where it is somewhat indistinct with just the odd cairn here and there. Just make sure you keep well above Bleatarn Gill on your right. Once Blea Tarn comes into view the navigation is easier, as you continue heading southeast up towards the ridge, keeping the tarn over to your right. 
 
[2] When you reach the fence, go through the gate and turn right, following the fence-line uphill. Approaching Standing Crag, you’ll need to detour around to the left to avoid the rocks and ascend the steep grassy flanks. Continue beside the fence, heading southwest. Then at the fence corner, carry on southwards following old iron fence posts to Ullscarf, marked by a cairn. Though not the finest of summits, its situation in the centre of the Lakeland hills makes it a good viewpoint. 
 
[3] Continue following the fence posts down to Greenup Edge Pass, which separates Ullscarf and High Raise. If you have the energy, it’s well worth making a detour to climb to the top of the latter from where there are superb views. (Just carry on following the fence posts, then return the same way.) 
 
[4] Turning right from Greenup Edge, you are now on the route of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk – not waymarked, but there are cairns to guide you. It’s quite a steep descent via Lining Crag and down beside Greenup Gill until you reach the valley bottom. Greenup Gill joins the Langstrath Beck to become the Stonethwaite Beck (the route of the Cumbria Way). The former two valleys are separated by Eagle Crag and Heron Crag. There are good views looking back along the Stonethwaite Valley to Eagle Crag, which provides an eye-catching focal point. Keep ahead past Stonethwaite Bridge to the signposted junction for Rosthwaite. 
 
[5] Continue on the bridleway signed for Watendlath. The glorious views back from this path of Borrowdale and Cumbria’s highest hills are quite sublime. From the top (Puddingtone Bank) you descend to Watendlath, passing the tarn and crossing the packhorse bridge – a lovely finish to the day.
 
POI information

‘Watendlath is delightful and its qualities unique… a tiny cluster of white cottages and stone barns set at odd angles without pattern, a tarn, a stream and a bridge, all deeply inured amongst surrounding fells and hidden from outside gaze: here are all the attributes of a perfect picture, a scene to enrapture artist and photographers.’ Wainwright sums up the charms of Watendlath beautifully. The hamlet is found at the end of a narrow road, which wends its way up from Borrowdale beside Watendlath Beck. Not far from the turn off for the Borrowdale road, you’ll pass one of the most photographed bridges in the Lake District, Ashness Bridge, which provides a picturesque foreground to the view of distant Skiddaw. A bit further on is Surprise View, another fine viewpoint (it’s worth stopping at the car park for a look). 726m/2,382ft Ullscarf is the highest point reached on this walk; it’s not one of the Lakes’ most popular fells, so you may well have it to yourself on this splendidly scenic walk.

Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements

Route devised by Fiona Barltrop for Walk Magazine.

Photo - Watendlath Tarn  © (Tom Howard) / CC BY-SA 2.0

  • Watendlath Tarn
    Watendlath Tarn
    By - Tom Howard
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