Great Wood via Cat Gill up Walla Crag: route map, distance and time
379 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY276212
Walla Crag is a 379 m fell above Derwentwater, a short climb from Keswick with one of the best views of the lake.
Climb the steep path beside Cat Gill from Great Wood to the open fell and follow the edge to the summit.
Great Wood via Cat Gill at a glance
| Distance | 1.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Great Wood car park (National Trust) |
| Start grid reference | NY 271 214 |
| Summit grid reference | NY276212 |
Great Wood via Cat Gill 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.
Walla Crag summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 12°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 17 mph, 47% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 18 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Great Wood via Cat Gill: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 17 mph and a 47% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Walla Crag forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 47% 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 Walla Crag
Walla Crag is a 379 m fell above Derwentwater, a short climb from Keswick with one of the best views of the lake. More about Walla Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Bleaberry Fell (590 m), 1.9 km south-east
Challenges that include Walla Crag
More walks from Great Wood car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Keswick via Walla Crag up Bleaberry Fell
Other routes up Walla Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keswick via Rakefoot | 3.7 km one way | — | — | Easy |
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 NY276212), 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.
Great Wood via Cat Gill: questions and answers
How far is Great Wood via Cat Gill?
Great Wood via Cat Gill is 1.5 km one way to the summit of Walla Crag. There and back by the same way is about 3.0 km.
Where do you park for Great Wood via Cat Gill?
Great Wood via Cat Gill starts from Great Wood car park (National Trust). The grid reference is NY 271 214.
Is Great Wood via Cat Gill 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.
Is there a GPX for Great Wood via Cat Gill?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).