Latrigg

Wednesday 17th August 2022

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Easy Walks Wainwrights Northern

I had a couple of hours spare after some other walks in the lakes today, so I decided to nip up Latrigg before heading for home on the A66. Latrigg is one of the lower lakeland fells and is classed as Keswick's own, although it's a small fell, the views from the top are beautiful and enjoyed by the vast number of visitors that make their way up and down each day. An even shorter route to the top can gained if parking higher up at Underscar - but today I set off from Briar Rigg.

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Distance: 4.2 miles
Duration: 1:45 hours
Ascent: 1004 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Warm & Sunny

Wainwrights Visited

Latrigg

3D outline of route

Parking

Plenty of parking on the roadside at Briar Rigg.

Setting off down Spooney Green Lane whilst looking towards the Skiddaw group of fells. I took the direct track towards Latrigg leaving the Briar Rigg road behind.

Todays walk to Keswick's own little fell - Latrigg.

The track soon crosses the bridge over the A66.

Peering through the mesh I considered my feelings about the two carriageways - Westbound - Happy, as I am arriving in the Lake District and Eastbound - Sad & Tired, as I'm heading homewards at the end of every day out in the lakes. How many times I wonder, have I driven below and past this footbridge.

Dodd and Carl Side can be seen to my left. I was at the top of Dodd a couple of hours ago, looking over here!

Carl Side and Skiddaw Little Man.

I followed the gradual and gentle ascent path which headed for the Underscar Car Park

The bracken is reaching it's full height as we approach the end of the summer.

At the Car Park gate I veered off to the right and followed a well established path which gradually gained height to the summit.

Looking back at the Underscar Car Park. I've parked here many times myself when setting off for Skiddaw. But I do feel it's a little bit of a cheat to start here and go to the summit of Latrigg and claim you have 'bagged the fell' It's just like running up and over a couple of school fields to the top.

Beautiful views over Keswick and the surrounding fells can be had from the many vantage points as you near the top of the soft grassy summit area.

As expected there's quite a few folk at the summit.

"The view is so much the best reason for climbing Latrigg, that it's almost a pity to make the ascent on a day of poor visibility" AW. I wonder how many thousands of folk have sat on this very seat and enjoyed the views from this commanding position.

To mix it up a bit, I took the left hand path back down - but the paths eventually merged anyway.

There's quite a few ways to climb up Latrigg - this one was unplanned and I just followed my nose really. Walkers are free to stroll over from Underscar or pick a route from Keswick via the old railway line or just park at Briar Rigg and walk down Spooney Green Lane as I did. There's no right or wrong way really. Anyway, a lovely and easy end to the day as gently walked my way back to the car enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.