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Tilberthwaite & Wetherlam

Lake District Walk

Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Southern Fells

Wainwrights - Wetherlam

County/Area - Cumbria

Author - John Paterson

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km    Ascent - 2020 feet / 612 metres

Time - 4 hours 30 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Tilberthwaite & Wetherlam
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

Wetherlam is often included as part of a horseshoe starting with Coniston Old Man or, from Little Langdale, in a circuit including Swirl How and Wet Side Edge. It is, however, a fine mountain in its own right and this Lake District walk of moderate length from the delightful hamlet of Tilberthwaite covers some varied terrain. The approach and the return are on excellent paths created by miners who worked the lower slopes hundreds of years ago and the impressive approach to the summit via Wetherlam Edge is in great contrast to the start and finish of the walk.

Leave the A593 Coniston to Skelwith Bridge road at Great Intake (GR 313996) just under 2 miles north of Coniston and take the minor road heading north west to Low Tilberthwaite which is reached after just under 1 mile. Park at the carpark (GR NY306010) just before the bridge over Tilberthwaite Gill.

Climb the steps leading out of the car park and join the miners track which climbs along side the south east (left) bank of the Gill. After passing various quarries and mine workings the path levels and a fork is reached. Fork right and follow the path as it drops down towards the footbridge crossing the Gill. The Gill is almost alpine in character with larch and rowan predominant. Cross the footbridge and climb steeply before turning left onto the path from the hamlet of Tilberthwaite. This path contours around the foot of the minor fell of Blake Rigg until it starts to climb steeply to Birk Fell Hause. At the Hause in clear weather there are excellent views down into Little Langdale and across to Blea Tarn and the Langdale fells.

At the Hause turn left onto a level path which steepens sharply as the ridge of Wetherlam Edge is reached. This is a surprisingly dramatic ridge, in complete contrast to the route so far. Several low rock steps have to be negotiated but nothing of any difficulty. In mist, follow the line of the ridge and the summit cairn is reached 100 yards after the ridge levels out.

Three routes meet at the summit. Our descent down Lad Stones Ridge heads due south for about 75 yards when it starts to veer to the left (south west) to follow the faint ridge line at an easy angle downwards. The ridge is not followed to its foot. After about half a mile it is possible to head further left and drop down to meet the miners track from Coppermines Valley to Tilberthwaite near Hole Rake (GR293991). Turn left onto the miners track and follow it back to Tilberthwaite. Before leaving, take the short walk along the road to Low Tilberthwaite. This is one of Lakeland's prettiest cottages with a barn and spinning gallery attached.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1134 Wetherlam and The Carrs from Little Langdalemod/hard10.8 miles
Walk 2270 Tilberthwaite and Holme Fell Little Langdaleeasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 1144 Lingmoor Fellmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1171 Pike o' Bliscomoderate5.0 miles
Walk 2582 Pike o' Stickle, Harrison Stickle & Pavey Arkmoderate6.0 miles
Walk 3508 The Crinkle Crags from Wrynose Passeasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 1217 Dow Crag & the Old Man of Conistonmod/hard8.5 miles
Walk 1761 Tom Heights and Tarn Howseasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 3028 Tarn Hows & Tom Gilleasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 3220 Wetherlam via Red Dellmoderate7.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Lake District: High Level and Fell Walks

Lake District: High Level and Fell WalksThis guidebook describes 30 graded fell walks on the ridges and high peaks of the English Lake District, the UK's most popular national park. Reaching some of England's finest and highest mountain scenery, this guide leads readers to classic horseshoes and traditional ascents as well as lesser-known routes to quieter summits.
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