High Tove, High Seat, Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag. Circular walk from Great Wood including Ashness Bridge and Watendlath

Wednesday 14th January 2026

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Wainwrights Central

High Tove, High Seat, Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag. Circular walk from Great Wood including Ashness Bridge and Watendlath.

Having just had an aborted trip over to the Lakes with Paul on Saturday due to the snow on the A66 over the Pennines, I was keen to get back over there as soon as possible. The cold weather had eased and snow had thawed, but the rain and cloud had returned for this week. But there was still a window of opportunity for Wednesday, whereby a clear spell was forecast for some hours during the morning and afternoon. So I quickly arranged a trip and managed to get a very enjoyable walk in before the weather changed back again.

The stretch across the Pewits is much better now that there are stone slabs to walk on over the previously very boggy ground. A great improvement for all the walkers who want to tread this route.

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.
Distance: 10.8 miles
Duration: 5:30 hours
Ascent: 2904 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Mild & Dry

Wainwrights Visited

Bleaberry Fell High Seat High Tove Walla Crag

3D outline of route

Parking

Leaving Great Wood Car Park which is an National Trust site on the Borrowdale Road just outside of Keswick

Crossing Cat Gill as the path runs parallel with Derwent Water through the Great Wood.

Occasional views of Derwent Water and the fells on the far side; Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and High Spy further on.

Arriving at Ashness Bridge and the Watendlath road.

Ashness Bridge is one of the Lake District’s most iconic and photographed landmarks, famed for its timeless beauty and picture-perfect views.

A bit further up the road, Surprise view is reached - Don't stand to close to the edge, but the views over Derwent Water are spectacular.

You can carry on walking on the very quiet roadside to Watendlath - but the best route by far is to veer off right and take the path that follows alongside Watendlath Beck.

A bit of rain started to fall as I headed over the beck - time for some waterproofs, but it wasn't worth the effort as by the time I'd put them on the rain had stopped.

A lovely walk alongside Watendlath Beck with Reecastle Crag on the left hand side.

Arriving at the small packhorse bridge at Watendlath.

A lovely serene place to stop and enjoy five minutes of peace and solitude - Watendlath Tarn

Leaving the tarn behind as I start the ascent on the paved staircase towards High Tove.

Through the gate and out onto the heather clad open fellside.

High Tove summit with the Helvellyn range behind.

Those amazing stone slabs that make crossing the Pewits so easy now.

High Seat is straight ahead.

A gentle ascent and the top of High Seat is reached.

Next stop Bleaberry Fell over there.

A very easy ridge to walk along these days thanks to all the work done to cross the Pewits.

Now I'm arriving at the very unremarkable summit of Bleaberry Fell which is effectively at the north end of this central ridge.

A close up of Skiddaw and Skiddaw Little Man with the snow line at about 800m

Last Wainwright to visit today is little Walla Crag, which can be seen in the distance as I descend down Bleaberry Fell.

Views from the top of Walla Crag.

After walking past Rakefoot, it was back over Brockle Beck and then through Great Wood to the car park.

First visit to the lakes in 2026 and I can assure you it won't be the last.