Whin Rigg & Illgill Head walk from Miterdale

Parked up in a favourite spot of mine. Miterdale. You also have the choice of parking at Giggle Alley in Eskdale Green and walking a little further from there to here, but I much prefer it here. It's so peaceful and quiet, I think it's my favourite parking place in the entire Lake District.

Out of the car, boots on and it's over the bridge heading for the woods.

Not a common sight whilst walking in the Lakes! (better duck going under these power lines). I followed the forestry track for a short while before picking up the main path onto Irton Fell.

Here is my right turn.

A lovely walk through Miterdale Forest, gaining height all the time.

An opening in the trees to reveal Great Bank (329m)

Looking back down the wide path through the trees, as the sun begins to break through.

The crossroads on Irton Fell. Time to turn right and head eastwards.

A gentle grassy climb towards the first 'Wainwright' of the day, Whin Rigg.

Whin Rigg summit and views westwards towards Nether Wasdale and then further afield to Sellafield.

This time the view from Whin Rigg eastwards towards Illgill head and the broad grassy ridge between the two summits.

The views from this ridge are just superb. I prefer to take the path which follows the contours of the edge giving the best views down to Wast Water, although there is a direct path down the middle of the broad ridge if speed was of the essence.

I took that many photos along here that it took a while to decide which two or three to put into this blog. Here's a typical one with Yewbarrow the main feature and others behind such as Red Pike, Pillar and Kirk Fell.

Looking back along the broad ridge towards Whin Rigg and the small path that I followed to fully enjoy the beauty of this walk.

Another gulley down to Wast Water with Buckbarrow, Seatallan and Middle Fell behind.

Illgill Head summit cairn - The summit alright, but marginally lower than the stone shelter a hundred yards further on.

Wow! - Yewbarrow, Wasdale Head, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and the nose of Lingmell. I had initially considered staying over tonight and doing two days of walking - I really wish I had now, and that's where I would have gone.

As I start my descent from Illgill head, Scafell comes into full view. 'Scafell' is the second highest mountain in the Lake District, but due to its illustrious neighbour (Scafell Pike) and due to the fact that there is no real easy way of linking the two together for the average fell walker, the number of walkers who venture onto the slopes of Scafell is limited. It's usually very quiet whereas on the other side of Mickledore, the place is always packed with day walkers and non-walkers to be honest. But I do enjoy climbing Scafell more than the Pike though, as it's just so different and the summit is so rewarding and there's also spectacular views at the head of Deep Gill. But as I said earlier, that's not for me today.

I wonder how many others have taken advantage of this impromptu picnic bench - well, there's not many obvious lunch spots further on from what I can see. So why not.

Lunch with a view - and what a view!

I even got an air show put on just for me! Well, I was the only one walking here anyway.

Burnmoor Tarn comes into view.

Looking over to Scafell as I continue heading down - With the Brackenclose path in the middle of the flat land which is what I would soon be joining.

Scafell & Slight Side.

The path takes me to Burnmoor Tarn - with a few soggy patches along the way.

My photo doesn't do this justice - but the path cairn was actually an 'island' - Showing just how much rain we have had recently.

And I think we're going to need a bigger bridge! Fortunately, there's an abundance of suitable steppingstones.

As I skirt Burnmoor Tarn, YHA Burnmoor Lodge can be seen. There were a handful of youngsters there enjoying the peace and quiet as I walked through.

Picking up the path towards Miterdale as I leave Burnmoor Tarn.

The falls to the right of me from the tarn are the source of the River Mite I assume.

A "shy little valley" as Wainwright stated in his guide, well that's probably why I'm so well suited to it - I strolled alongside the stream, occasionally crossing to pick up a slightly more established path from time to time and enjoyed an hour or so of total solitude with only my thoughts for company.

Sumptuous lakeland countryside as I contemplate the long journey home - why didn't I stay over?

Approaching the end of the walk with a final river crossing - this time wide enough to merit a bridge. Then it was back to the car and time to blast out some Nightwish and Within Temptation on the way home. What a contrast to the amazing peace and quiet of this beautiful part of our planet.