Low Rigg, the lowly fell north of High Rigg, is not a Wainwright and, of course, does not feature in his Outlying Fells. But, in spite of being dwarfed by its lofty, lovely neighbour, it has a craggy small ridge over which to wander and from where you have some splendid views.

Park opposite the church of St John's in the Vale, reached by two signed narrow roads, west, off the B5322.

1 Leave the parking area by the narrow step stile, opposite the church. Walk ahead over the undulating pasture to climb another step stile, which you can spot in the wall on the near horizon. Once over, turn left and ascend the steepish grassy slope to reach the rocky outcrops of Low Rigg (277metres/713feet). There are no real paths, but short trods between the outcrops and rocky gullies to take as you explore the little ridge. When you have seen enough, descend, either by your upward route, or down the slopes in the direction of Tewet Tarn, which you will have spotted from the top, to join the path continuing from the last step stile.

2 Descend the path and then look for a wide grassy swathe winding right. Follow it as it bends left, arcing round to rejoin the path to the tarn, avoiding a very wet area. Go over a wooden stile and walk beside the glorious pool to enjoy its pleasing reflections. Bear slightly right to a step stile over the wall ahead. Climb the slope and walk straight on to reach a small signpost. Bear right, winding round with the wall, now on your left, to a gate into a pasture. Descend a track (very muddy at first but soon improves) to a gate in bottom right corner to join a road. Walk left and left again at the T-junction. Go left once more. Cross Naddle Bridge, to go through a signposted gate immediately on the left. Continue through several well signposted gates that take you up the pasture to reach the road in front of Goosewell farm.

3 Turn left and ascend steadily. Ignore the signed footpath on the left and go on to the gate, left, to visit Castlerigg Stone Circle. Here you will want to wander, enjoy the views, use your camera and read the interesting plaques before returning to the signed path, now on the right, passed slightly earlier. Stride ahead over the long pasture, keeping beside the wall on your right to avoid more mud, aiming for a gate in the wall ahead. Pass through two more gates and keep beside woodland. Then strike diagonally across the field on a wide grassy swathe to the far corner to join the access track to High Nest and its outbuildings. Carry on beyond and, just before a cattle grid, take the gate on the left and descend right. Wind left, to the stile onto the access track to Low Nest and then right to the A591, where you bear left.

4 After 30 yards climb the stile on left. Follow the distinct path across the sheep pasture to the next stile. Bear left, and walk beside the wall on the left, to a gate in the bottom left corner. Stride the continuing track to cross a tractor bridge. At the signpost, go left, over the pasture towards Sykes farmhouse, by-passing any wet areas. Cross the fine footbridge and go on to take, on your right, a hidden gate to the bottom of some outcrops. Climb these and then walk ahead on a grassy trod to a gate onto the access track to Sykes farmhouse. Turn left and take the grassy ‘by-pass’ to ascend avoiding the sharp hair-pin bends of the road. Go on up to return to the parking area.

INFORMATION Distance: 4.5 miles Time: 3 hours Terrain: Fairly easy climb to little Low Rigg. Some good footpaths and a few muddy ones. Some quiet minor road walking. Steepish return to parking layby.

Map: OS Explorer OL 4.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.