Walla Crag Walk
This circular walk on Derwentwater climbs to Walla Crag and explores Great Wood in the Lake District. It's a short but rewarding climb with wonderful views over the lake below.
The walk can be started from nearby Keswick but this route starts and finishes from the Great Wood car park off Borrowdale Road, near Calfclose Bay. From here you can directly pick up the Walla Crag Trail to take you up to the crag. The trail heads south from the car park to Cat Gill before turning north east passing Lady's Rake and then on to the Walla Crag summit. The high point stands at 379 m (1,243 ft) with wonderful views over Derwentwater and towards Skiddaw. You can just descend the same way but this route continues on to Castlerigg where you cross the pretty Brockle Beck. Here you have the option of visiting the fascinating Castlerigg Stone Circle which is just off the route at Castlerigg. However, this route descends on woodland trails through Great Wood, passing Watson's Park on the way.
There's lots to enjoy on the walk with heather in the summer months, the rushing waters of Cat Gill and some spectacular Lakeland views.
The walk can be extended by heading along the lake towards Ashness Bridge and Suprise View. Bleaberry fell is also nearby.
Just to the north is the wonderful Friar's Crag viewpoint and the Castlehead viewpoint. These both proffer wonderful views of the lake and surrounding fells.
The walk can also be started from Keswick as shown in the video below.
Postcode
CA12 5UP - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsWalla Crag Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Walla Crag Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Walla Crag OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Walla Crag Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head north into nearby Keswick and there's several good cafes and pubs for some well earned refreshments. The Lake Road Inn does good food and also has a nice garden area to sit out in if the weather is fine. You can find the pub on 10 Lake Road with a postcode of CA12 5BT for your sat navs. It's also dog friendly inside and outside if you have your canine friend with you.
Dog Walking
The woodland trails around Great Wood are ideal for dog walking.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Lake District page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Heather on the footpath to Walla Crag. Cat Bells in the background.
Stile on the footpath down from Walla Crag towards Ashness Bridge.
View of Keswick
Summit cairn
Admiring the view. A moderate thirty minute walk from Castlerigg Hall campsite was rewarded with this stunning view.
The view north east. Behind the slopes of Castlerigg Fell is Blencathra.
Cat Gill. Small waterfall on the slopes of the Crag. Taken from the footbridge where Cat Gill just notches into the grid square.
Great Wood
Elevation Profile
