Watendlath via High Tove 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.
A path climbs east to High Tove, then runs north along the wet ridge to High Seat.
Watendlath via High Tove at a glance
| Distance | 3.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 356 m |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Watendlath car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 275 163 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 287 180 |
Watendlath via High Tove 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Watendlath via High Tove takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
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 15:10 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:08 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m 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 Watendlath via High Tove: 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
More walks from Watendlath car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Watendlath via Dock Tarn up Great Crag
- Watendlath bridleway up High Tove
Other routes up High Seat
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashness Bridge via Bleaberry Fell | 4.6 km one way | 486 m | 1h 45m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 275 163, 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.
Watendlath via High Tove: questions and answers
How far is Watendlath via High Tove?
Watendlath via High Tove is 3.3 km one way to the summit of High Seat, with 356 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.6 km.
How long does Watendlath via High Tove take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of High Seat and 1h 55m 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 2h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Watendlath via High Tove?
Watendlath via High Tove starts from Watendlath car park. The grid reference is NY 275 163.
Is Watendlath via High Tove 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 Watendlath via High Tove today?
By 15:10 at the latest. Sunset on High Seat today is 18:05, Watendlath via High Tove takes about 1h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Watendlath via High Tove?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).