High Rigg

7th November 2007


Do not be deceived by this excellent ‘mini mountain’. A hill that is often driven by without further thought either on the 591 grom Grasmere to Keswick or taking the short cut from the A591 to the A66 at Thirlspot. So, a short walk across its ridge for an afternoon stroll, was the idea behind today's walk.

Parked at Legburthwaite car park and crossing the river via the bridge carrying the main road, immediately took the stile over the wall on the right. Straight into woodland and heading up the crest of the ridge. The path is easy to follow, quite steep in places but soon at the top seeing the ridge open northwards in front of your eyes. This is why it pays to look at the map properly, not because route finding is difficult – a lovely easy to follow path along the whole ridge, but more to determine where the actual summit is! After several exclamations that ‘we are at the top’ (combined with the now expected kiss as reward completing another Wainwright), I soon realised that this was no short stroll. The final summit is actually at the far end of the ridge after about one and a half miles of undulations. Having said this, the experience was delightful, with the feeling of being on the high fells, whist only at a height of around 300m.
The main path is easy to follow along the traverse and many of the ‘summits’ can be avoided by skirting round (unless you think they are the actual summit and have to climb them all).
All along the ridge there are fine views over to Blencathra, today in and out of mist but glorious colours with the low afternoon sun on its slopes. Looking south the vista extended along Thirlmere to Steel Fell.
The path down to The church of St Johns in the Vale was obvious, a steep grassy descent to the road. We were able to look inside the picturesque little church before descending the road and soon taking the bridleway to the right skirting the western side of High Rigg to enjoy a beautiful lower valley walk back to the car, commencing and finishing in woodland, the latter stages along the banks of St John’s Beck

Time 3 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories Longer than anticipated
A fine 'mini fell'


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