Walk 1303 - printer friendly version

Buckbarrow, Seatallan & Middle Fell from Loweswater Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km

Ascent - 2500 feet / 758 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NY144055
Lat 54.437676 + Long -3.321272
Postcode CA20 1EU (approx. location only)

Driving into Wasdale is a special experience with high fells, including England's highest mountain, providing a dramatic backdrop to England's deepest lake, Wast Water. This Lake District circular walk connects three 'Wainwrights' to form a varied horseshoe route, which, although not heading for major peaks, offers some superb mountain panoramas for much of the way.

The start is a small area of grassy verge just east of Greendale (Grid ref. NY144055) at the foot of the path from Greendale Tarn. After parking, walk along the road west towards Gosforth with the first objective, Buckbarrow, rising in steep crags on your right hand side. Stay on the road as far as Gill Beck (Grid ref. NY 129054) where you turn right (north) to follow a clear path that climbs alongside the beck. Stay with this path following it as it turns east away from the beck to climb easily towards Buckbarrow. From here there are excellent views the length of Wasdale, although you do need to explore a little to find the best viewpoint.

Continue north through craggy knolls to the cairn on Glade How (Grid ref. NY 134064) to locate the onward path that descends a little before climbing steadily to Cat Bields. From here you are rewarded with a grand panorama out towards the Irish Sea although it is somewhat spoiled by the Atomic Power facilities at Seascale.

The summit of Seatallan lies just over a mile away in an approximate northeasterly direction. This section is the most tedious of the route although an easy grade means you can make steady progress uphill. Once you have reached the trig point on Seatallan the view suddenly improves with a spectacular panorama in all directions. Included in the view are some of the lesser known fells such as Haycock and Caw Fell.

The easiest descent from Seatallan follows the path to Haycock. Leave Seatallan's summit on a northeasterly bearing and descend steeply over grass towards the col named Pots of Ashness. Do not descend all the way to the col instead turning right as soon as easier ground is reached (Grid ref. NY 143088) from where you contour across the eastern slopes of Seatallan on sheep trods and over rough grass. Ahead you will see Middle Fell, the next objective, with a clear path to aim for.

Climbing once more you soon reach the summit of Middle Fell with its excellent view of Mellbreak, the Scafells and Great Gable. The path continues south along Middle Fell's ridge before turning southwest to descend into Greendale. Joining the path from Greendale Tarn continue downhill to where you started.

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