Walk 1692 - printer friendly version

Great End & Glaramara from Seathwaite Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.7 miles / 12.5 km

Ascent - 3000 feet / 909 metres

Grade - mod/hard

Start - OS grid reference NY235121
Lat 54.4984300 + Long -3.1827147
Postcode CA12 5XJ (approx. location only)

This Lake District walk is full of interesting features and includes some wonderful views along the way. The route leaves Seathwaite and continues via Taylorgill Force to Styhead. From here the walk continues along the Corridor Route and then traverses rough ground without a path to the col between Broad Crag and Great End. From here the route follows clear paths although care with route finding for the final descent from Glaramara is required.

The start is Seathwaite (grid ref. NY235121) where parking can be at a premium at busy times of the year. After parking walk south to the Farm and follow the path through the arch to your right. Cross Grains Gill and immediately turn left through a gate. Follow this path, which is rather rough in places, up to Taylorgill Force where some simple scrambling adds some adventure to the route. Once level with the top of the waterfall continue up the valley towards Styhead Tarn keeping Styhead Gill on your left.

From Styhead Tarn continue ahead to the col. Walk east for about 200 metres and then locate the cairned path heading south. This is the Corridor Route and after a short descent the path starts to climb with the crags of Great End on your left as you enter a vast bowl set between the mountains. The path descends again and you soon reach Greta Gill (grid ref. NY217081). Leave the corridor route and follow Greta Gill upstream initially in a south-easterly direction. At first the un-pathed route climbs steeply beneath the crags of Round How to reach a level boggy area. From here the route continues to ascend over grassy slopes and scree to an obvious col between Broad Crag and Great End.

Reaching the main path, turn left and continue to the summit of Great End. Having enjoyed the view, descend southeast to Esk Hause. Drop down to the wind-shelter and then start the walk towards Glaramara. The first summit is Allen Crags followed by an undulating section passing Lincomb Tarns. Eventually you will reach Glaramara with its two summits. The northerly top is the highest and offers a grand panorama north to Borrowdale and beyond.

To start the descent head NNW for just over 250 metres. This initial section has some awkward rocky sections and you need to locate a cairned path heading northwest. Initially the path meanders across grassy slopes before starting a steep descent into the valley. Generally the path parallels Hind Gill although you only get occasional glimpse of the rocky chasm. Reaching easier ground continue through a gate, descend across a grassy slope, ford the beck and join the track back to Seathwaite for some well earned refreshment.

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