Walk around Wastwater (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Walk around Wastwater

9:40am Friday 2nd July 2010

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I HAVE kept a walking diary since the 1950s and I can remember taking part in a Wastwater Ramble with a school fell-walking club.

Many things have changed in 2010 but Wastwater is so remote that little has changed over time.

There has, however, been some improvement to the track with a number of ladder stiles and waymarker signs, which make the going easier.

This route, however, is quite strenuous but well worth the effort.

Wastwater is the deepest and clearest of the Lakes and has a depth of nearly 300 feet (91 metres) and overlooks the 3,210 (987 metres) mountain of Scafell Pike.

I’m glad to say that I have still not gone metric and prefer my walks to be in feet rather than metres!

How to get to Wastwater Distance: 6 miles Time: Allow a good 5 hours to enjoy the views and get your breath!

OS Map: Landranger 89 (West Cumbria) or OL6.

Grid Ref: There are parking areas all round the Western Edge and the choice is up to you but consult the OS maps.

Where to eat: There are pubs in the area but Wastwater itself is remote and my advice here is to take a picnic.

Note on terrain: This area is remote and a fine day should be chosen and walkers should be sure to tell friends where you are going.

Take a mobile phone with you but keep it switched off until you need it!

The Walk: 1 Find a road signposted to Gosforth. Turn left and you meet wild and rugged countryside straight away. You need stout footwear for this trek.

Approach some houses and cross a stream.

2 Approach a bridleway and turn left through a gate and follow a path close to a delightful stream surrounded by trees.

Cross this stream and after around half a mile bear right. There is a track which bears left; ignore this but go straight ahead over a grassy track which leads to a gate and a ladder stile.

Climb over the stile and continue through two gates. At the second gate, turn right.

3 Look for the public bridleway sign.

This is the time to take a rest and listen and look at the wonderful wild countryside.

Here in the season is the place to enjoy the flowers, including foxgloves and keep an ear open for the sound of the cuckoo, which is sadly declining in Britain.

Continue through another gate to reach a T-junction of very obvious paths. Take the left fork, cross another pretty little stream and follow the route through gates to a sign indicating Strands.

Go through a farmyard to reach a very minor road.

You are now approaching the Nether Wasdale area.

Cross this little road and follow the road to Santon Bridge and Drigg.

Pass a building, after crossing Cinderdale Bridge, to reach another bridleway signed to Eskdale.

4 Take a breath here before climbing a stile and passing a pretty little tarn to the right just after crossing a stile.

There is then a steep ascent up to the wild and hauntingly beautiful Irton Fell.

Unless you just enjoy walking for walkings sake, this route should always be done on a day when visibility is good.

Head towards a conifer plantation of trees and keep to the left of a wall.

Pass through a number of gates to approach the summit of the fell.

5 This is fell country at its best.

Ascend in a more or less straight line and as the track starts to level to reach Greathall Gill, bear to the right of the steep ravine.

Here is another chance to take a rest and soak up the atmosphere of one of Cumbria’s wildest places.

6 Great caution must be taken here. Consult the OS Map and be sure to descend the track down the right hand edge of the ravine.

On no account follow the ravine itself.

Follow a very obvious path which reveals Wastwater itself and which more famous writers than I have described as the finest in the Lake District.

Wastwater can be seen overlooked by Great Gable and Scafell Pike.

Follow the obvious route into a wooded area leading down to the River Irt.

Turn left through yet another gate and follow the riverbank to Lund Bridge, which is a delightful packhorse span.

Turn right over the bridge and follow Lon Wood which is splendidly maintained by the National Trust and pass the 19th Century Wasdale Hall, which is now a youth hostel.

Keep along the Wastwater shoreline to reach your chosen parking area.

Fold up your OS Map and reflect upon one of Cumbria’s most beautiful walks.

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.