Keswick via Walla Crag up Bleaberry Fell: route map, distance and time
590 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY285195
Bleaberry Fell is a heathery fell above Keswick and Derwentwater, climbed via Walla Crag and giving a wide view over the lake.
Climb through Great Wood to Walla Crag, then cross the moor and climb the stepped path to the summit.
Keswick via Walla Crag at a glance
| Distance | 3.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 537 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Great Wood car park, near Keswick |
| Start grid reference | NY 271 214 |
| Summit grid reference | NY285195 |
Keswick via Walla Crag map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Wainwright1.9 km
- Lake Road Inn2.0 km
- Dog and Gun2.0 km
- The Hayloft1.5 km
- Lakeside Cafe Restaurant1.5 km
- Castlerigg Gallery1.5 km
- Public toilets1.6 km
- Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park1.4 km
- Castlerigg Farm1.5 km
- Keswick Scouts Ashness Hut1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Keswick via Walla Crag takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 0m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:40 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:38 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Bleaberry Fell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 31 mph, 57% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 5°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 97% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Keswick via Walla Crag: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 31 mph and a 57% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Bleaberry Fell forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like 0°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 57% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 31 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Bleaberry Fell
Bleaberry Fell is a heathery fell above Keswick and Derwentwater, climbed via Walla Crag and giving a wide view over the lake. More about Bleaberry Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Seat (609 m), 1.5 km south
- Walla Crag (379 m), 1.9 km north-west
Challenges that include Bleaberry Fell
More walks from Great Wood car park, near Keswick
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Great Wood via Cat Gill up Walla Crag
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 271 214, the summit at NY285195), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Keswick via Walla Crag: questions and answers
How far is Keswick via Walla Crag?
Keswick via Walla Crag is 3.9 km one way to the summit of Bleaberry Fell, with 537 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.8 km.
How long does Keswick via Walla Crag take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Bleaberry Fell and 2h 25m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Keswick via Walla Crag?
Keswick via Walla Crag starts from Great Wood car park, near Keswick. The grid reference is NY 271 214.
Is Keswick via Walla Crag suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Keswick via Walla Crag today?
By 14:40 at the latest. Sunset on Bleaberry Fell today is 18:05, Keswick via Walla Crag takes about 2h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Keswick via Walla Crag?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).