Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell up High Seat (Cumbria): route map, distance and time
609 m · Cumbria
High Seat is the 609m high point of the boggy ridge between Derwentwater and Thirlmere, a Wainwright with a small rocky summit and trig pillar.
Climb to Bleaberry Fell, then follow the boggy ridge south to the summit.
Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 486 m |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ashness Bridge car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 270 196 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 287 180 |
Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell 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
- Mary Mount Bar0.7 km
- High Lodore Farm Tea Rooms1.6 km
- Public toilets1.1 km
- Keswick Scouts Ashness Hut0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 15m |
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 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:23 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Seat 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 29 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 26 mph, 97% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 57% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour High Seat forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
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.
- 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 High Seat
High Seat is the 609m high point of the boggy ridge between Derwentwater and Thirlmere, a Wainwright with a small rocky summit and trig pillar. More about High Seat, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Bleaberry Fell (590 m), 1.5 km north
- High Tove (515 m), 1.5 km south
- Armboth Fell (475 m), 2.5 km south
- Grange Fell (417 m), 2.8 km south-west
Challenges that include High Seat
Other routes up High Seat
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watendlath via High Tove | 3.3 km one way | 356 m | 1h 15m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 270 196, the summit at NY 287 180), 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.
Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell: questions and answers
How far is Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell?
Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell is 4.6 km one way to the summit of High Seat, with 486 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of High Seat and 2h 40m 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 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell?
Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell starts from Ashness Bridge car park. The grid reference is NY 270 196.
Is Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell 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 Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell today?
By 14:25 at the latest. Sunset on High Seat today is 18:05, Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell takes about 2h 40m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).