Walk 2005 - printer friendly version

High Rigg & Legburthwaite Walk

Author - John Paterson

Length - 5.5 miles / 8.9 km

Ascent - 700 feet / 212 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference NY318196
Lat 54.567006 + Long -3.0563227
Postcode CA12 4TQ (approx. location only)

Walking the "Wainwrights" has one great advantage - it encourages you to explore the lesser heights of the Lake District with equal enthusiasm to the days spent in the high mountains. High Rigg is one such fell. Surrounded by much loftier peaks, including Helvellyn and Blencathra, it provides a taste of the higher fells without the effort required needed to gain the summit cairn of one of the giants. Ideal for a day shortened by bad weather, this Lake District walk starts within a few yards of a major road and soon gets you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

There is an adequate car park just off the A591 (Grid ref. NY318196). From here return to the main road and walk north over the river bridge, immediately turning right on a footpath that climbs the southern flanks of High Rigg. Take the left hand path where it splits and climb quickly to the top of Wren Crag. Most of the ascent is now over and it is a matter of following the path along the ridge. For most of the way it keeps to the western side and is easy to follow with the summit cairn visible ahead. For a low fell the views are surprisingly good. The panorama includes Thirlmere, Helvellyn, the eastern flanks of the Dodds, Clough Head, Blencathra, Skiddaw and the Central Fells.

A perfect place to rest, the summit cairn provides a grandstand view of Blencathra giving you the chance to review some of the routes to the summit. Suitably rested, continue steeply down to St John's Vale Church (worth a look inside) before taking the bridle-way which follows the wall along the eastern side of the fell. Eventually this leads you back to where the path forked at the start of the walk.

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