Wasdale Head walk

These were built between the middle of the 18th and 19th centuries to enclose moorland, previously common land, and to provide shelter for sheep.

The stone used was taken from the open moor or from the beck bottom. Any excess stone was gathered into huge mounds known as clearance cairns.

These can be seen during the walk.

Park in the large parking area by the campsite at Brackenclose, at the head of Wast Water, grid reference 182075.

Access this from Gosforth or Santon Bridge.

1. Turn left from the car park and carry on to cross the wide bridge over Lingmell Gill Beck. Pass left of the Fell and Rock Club hut and go on to take the footbridge across the beck and through the gate beyond.

Here, leave the path beside the gill and take the narrow path going off left and climbing steadily to join a wider track.

Turn left and pause to look down on Wasdale Head, guarded by Yewbarrow, Kirkfell and Great Gable, with a glimpse of Pillar standing aloof beyond Mosedale. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the sturdy walls.

2. Go on gently downhill, beneath the steep slopes of Lingmell, to cross Lingmell Beck.

Walk ahead, following posts, to a gate and stile on to the valley road. Stroll, right, to Wasdale Head Inn once the home of Will Ritson, best remembered as ‘the biggest liar in England.’

Go, left, following the signpost that stands between the inn and the outdoor shop and then bear right upstream to cross the glorious slate packhorse bridge over the Mosedale Beck.

Continue across the pasture beyond, to a gate signed Ritson’s Force.

3. Follow the track with the wall to your right, towards woodland, and take a wall gap on your right, and walk through the pleasing copse.

The thundering of the falling water will lead you to the lovely falls. When you have enjoyed these spectacular falls and cascades, return to the main track through a wall gap and continue, right, with a dramatic view of Pillar ahead.

Continue on the path, keeping to higher ground to avoid a large wet area by the wall.

Carry on well above a sheepfold and then aim for a ladderstile over the wall ahead. From the top step you can see a huge rock, known as the Y-boulder because of the shape of the crack it bears - it is labelled ‘Y-boulder’ on the relevant Explorer map.

In Victorian times, keen climbers would ascend it upside down!

4. At the foot of the boulder bear right to the side of the Mosedale Beck.

After a dry spell this will be easy to cross on boulders but, after rain, walkers will have to wade or, sadly, retrace their steps back along the track to cross the packhorse bridge and turn left.

For those who cross the beck, bear right and soon head left across the valley floor, following a narrow animal trod, including stepping over several small streams. Aim for a gate ahead and a large sheep pen beyond the wall.

Leave the pen by a stile to join, and walk right, the Black Sail Pass track that comes over from Ennerdale and is the climbers’ path to Pillar. Stride the path through the valley and climb the next stile.

Beyond a good track continues beside a wall. Follow the track as it curves right to pass through the next gate and turn left. This is the point where those walkers rejoin the walk, having decided to return to cross the packhorse bridge and turn left.

5. All walkers should now continue on the glorious way, accompanied on your right by Fog Mire Beck. You cross the beck several times by sturdy footbridges, to reach Burnthwaite farm.

Follow the way, right, between the buildings to join another track and turn right.

As you walk towards Wasdale Head Inn, once more, notice the enormously thick walls and the clearance cairns. Go past the tiny church of St Olaf, set among yew trees, which you might wish to visit.

6. Stroll on to go over the triangle of grass used for parking and continue on the valley road. Very soon go through the signposted gate on the left, taken earlier.

Ignore your outward path and stroll the track on the right. Go on over a small footbridge and cross two streams on stones.

Then follow the path through gorse and continue, right, along the riverbank. At a good place cross the beck ,which is often out of water and its bed just a wide stretch of pebbles and boulders.

Walk on along the other side and continue on a track that leads to Brackenclose. Turn right on the main track to rejoin your vehicle.

After heavy rain you may prefer to continue on the valley road and then turn left into the parking area.

Information Distance: 6 miles Time: 3-4 hours Terrain: Delightful on a bright day during a dry spell and on a bright crisp day when the ground in Mosedale is frozen.

Otherwise expect some bog hopping. Be prepared to turn back and find another way.

Map: OS Explorer OL 6 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.