Two Walks to Walla Crag

Walla Crag is a fabulous viewpoint on the eastern side of Derwent Water, much of the panorama across to Keswick and the Skiddaw Massif is hidden until having climbed through the trees; the ascent of Cat Gill is left behind, and the crag is finally gained. We have two walks you can use to explore it:

Grisedale Pike Across Derwent Water from Walla Crag

• Walla Crag and the Great Wood - a relatively short 4.7km walk from the National Trust pay and display car park at Great Wood on the Borrowdale road a couple of miles south of Keswick. It takes you up and along Wall Crag before dropping you down beside Brockle Beck to return to your start point via Great Wood.

• Walla Crag and Castlerigg Stone Circle - a longer circular walk of moderate proportions (14.4km) starting in the centre of Keswick at the Moot Hall, now the Tourist Information centre, wandering along the shores of Derwent Water to climb the beautiful and steep Cat Gill to the top of Walla Crag.

  From the crag you can just see the Stone Circle in front of Blencathra which you visit on the way back. The return to Keswick along the old Penrith to Keswick Railway line completes the circle.

  Edit 08/01/19:
  This second walk relied on the old railway path to get you back to Keswick. Sadly in December 2015 Storm Desmond destroyed two bridges on that path as it crossed and re-crossed the River Greta. We did originally keep the walk online suggesting an alternative route from Castlerigg Stone Circle, exiting by one of the gates and then turning left walking along the minor road down to Chestnut Hill and then the main road into Keswick but we don't like our walks to use roads except for very short distances so we ended up taking it offline. There are plans to restore the bridges and we will put the walk back on the site when that happens.

And remember our Lake District Walk Finder has more walks around Derwent Water if neither of these take your fancy.

Tagged: walks

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