Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg up Illgill Head: route map, distance and time
609 m · Cumbria
Illgill Head is the 609m high point of the ridge above the Wast Water Screes, a Wainwright and Marilyn with a view along the lake to the Scafell range.
A path climbs beside Greathall Gill to Whin Rigg, then follows the grassy ridge north-east along the top of the Screes.
Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg at a glance
| Distance | 6.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 607 m |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Nether Wasdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 123 040 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 168 049 |
Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg 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
- Screes Inn0.1 km
- The Strands Inn0.1 km
- The Sawmill Wasdale0.7 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Church Stile Farm And Holiday Park0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 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 18:06. Start by 13:41 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04. Start by 13:39 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Illgill Head summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 39% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 4°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 29 mph, 99% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04.
Best day of the next seven for Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 39 mph and a 39% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Illgill Head 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.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 39 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 Illgill Head
Illgill Head is the 609m high point of the ridge above the Wast Water Screes, a Wainwright and Marilyn with a view along the lake to the Scafell range. More about Illgill Head, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Whin Rigg (537 m), 2.3 km south-west
- Middle Fell (582 m), 2.9 km north-west
Challenges that include Illgill Head
More walks from Nether Wasdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill up Whin Rigg
Other routes up Illgill Head
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasdale Head via the Burnmoor corpse road | 8.2 km one way | 583 m | 2h 35m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 123 040, the summit at NY 168 049), 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.
Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg: questions and answers
How far is Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg?
Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg is 6.1 km one way to the summit of Illgill Head, with 607 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.2 km.
How long does Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Illgill Head and 3h 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 4h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg?
Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg starts from Nether Wasdale. The grid reference is NY 123 040.
Is Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg 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 Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg today?
By 13:41 at the latest. Sunset on Illgill Head today is 18:06, Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg takes about 3h 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 Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).