Birketts North of Thirlmere

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Castle Rock (0.5 km, 157 m)

   Climb of about 157 m over 0.5 km (around 31% average).

   From the starting point near Legburthwaite, immediately attack the severe, bracken-covered lower slopes beneath the looming crags. The path weaves aggressively uphill through loose scree and oak scrub, gaining height with relentless speed until you top out on the airy, rocky crest above the famous climbing face of Castle Rock.

   Waypoints

   Legburthwaite (start), Castle Rock of Triermain (summit crest, 339 m).

   Decision point

   The massive, towering wall of Castle Rock serves as a distinctive visual landmark directly ahead. Keep the vertical drop of the rock face to your left as you scramble up the access spur on its southern flank.

   Easy to get wrong

   A 31% average gradient makes this a fierce, lung-busting start with zero time to warm up. The scree path is mobile and slick, particularly after rain, and summer bracken heavily encroaches on the lower trail. The top of the crag drops away sheer; keep a respectful distance from the precipitous edge, especially in high winds.

   If you need to get off

   Simply retrace your steps down the steep ascent path back to the Legburthwaite car park. Do not attempt to scramble down the sheer, vertical rock face on the western side.

2. 2

   Castle Rock → Wren Crag (1.7 km, 191 m)

   Descent of about 177 m, then a climb of about 191 m, over 1.7 km.

   Drop down the gentle south-western slope of Castle Rock to cross the quiet valley lane and the footbridge over St John's Beck. Once across the water, tackle the steep, heathery climb directly up the southern nose of High Rigg, ascending a series of rocky shelves to reach the craggy, pointed summit of Wren Crag.

   Waypoints

   St John's Beck (bridge crossing), Church Bridge (vicinity), Wren Crag summit (311m).

   Decision point

   St John's Beck acts as a clear valley-floor catching feature before you cross. The sharp, conical profile of Wren Crag rises directly in front of you, making directional orientation simple.

   Easy to get wrong

   The crossing near the beck can be waterlogged and muddy. The subsequent climb up Wren Crag involves short, slick rock steps and thick heather that conceals ankle-twisting holes. The rock here is ice-polished in places and becomes extremely greasy when damp.

   If you need to get off

   No way back to the start along the St John's in the Vale road has been checked for this guide; the way back is the way you came.

3. 3

   Wren Crag → High Rigg (High Rigg South Top) (1.8 km, 69 m)

   Climb of about 69 m over 1.8 km (around 4% average).

   Embark on a classic, undulating ridge traverse along the crest of High Rigg. The path meanders northwards, dropping into spongy, reedy hollows before climbing over a succession of minor rocky outcrops, eventually bringing you to High Rigg's South Top.

   Waypoints

   Wren Crag, High Rigg central depressions, High Rigg South Top (343 m).

   Decision point

   The narrow ridge line itself funnels you naturally northwards. Keep the deep valley of St John's in the Vale to your right (east) and Naddle Beck to your left (west) as broad boundary lines.

   Easy to get wrong

   High Rigg is a disorienting "rollercoaster ridge." In thick hill fog, the constant weaving between dozens of identical rocky bumps and wet hollows makes maintaining a straight line difficult. The low-lying depressions hold water like a sponge year-round.

   If you need to get off

   No way off the ridge has been checked for this guide; the way back is the way you came.

4. 4

   High Rigg (High Rigg South Top) → The Benn (Sippling Crag) (4.1 km, 293 m)

   Descent of about 176 m, then a climb of about 293 m, over 4.1 km.

   From the South Top, head south-east for about 400 m to a ladder stile and gate, then turn west and descend the western flank of High Rigg on a path. Join a public bridleway at a gate and follow it south-south-west and south-west through further gates to the old valley road, which crosses Naddle Beck on Rough How Bridge. A short footpath with two stone step stiles brings you to the A591, which you cross by the Shoulthwaite Farm bus stop. Follow the public footpath lane south to Shoulthwaite Farm, go through a gate and enter the forestry-covered lower slopes of Shoulthwaite, then climb south-south-east on a gravel forest track with Shoulthwaite Gill close on your right at first. The track zig-zags near the crags of Sippling Crag, then climbs south-east across open heath past Benn Man, and a path leads south-south-west for the last stretch to the top of The Benn (Sippling Crag).

   Waypoints

   High Rigg South Top, ladder stile below the South Top, Rough How Bridge (Naddle Beck), A591 crossing at the Shoulthwaite Farm bus stop, Shoulthwaite Farm, Shoulthwaite forest track, Benn Man, The Benn summit (Sippling Crag, 446 m).

   Decision point

   The A591 and Naddle Beck mark the bottom of the valley, about halfway through the stage. On the climb, Shoulthwaite Gill runs just to the right (west) of the forest track before the track pulls away from it.

   Easy to get wrong

   At 4.1 km, this is a long and varied stage. The A591 is a fast main road with a 60 mph limit, so cross it with care. Several private tracks leave the lane around Shoulthwaite Farm; stay on the public footpath. The drop to the valley comes first, so most of the stage's 289 m of ascent is in the climb from the road to The Benn, on a forest track and then a path across heath.

   If you need to get off

   No road or forestry escape from this stage has been checked for this guide, including whether there is a footway beside the A591.

5. 5

   The Benn (Sippling Crag) → Castle Crag (Shoulthwaite) (0.6 km, 7 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.6 km.

   Leave the summit of The Benn and head south-west across a short, rugged, heathery neck of land. Pick your way carefully through pine trees and over broken rock terraces to reach the impressive, naturally fortified iron-age hillfort site of Castle Crag (Shoulthwaite), perched high above the ravine.

   Waypoints

   The Benn, Shoulthwaite neck, Castle Crag (Shoulthwaite hillfort, 404 m).

   Decision point

   The deep, roaring trench of Shoulthwaite Gill to your east acts as a clear acoustic and geographical handrail. Aim for the distinct, steep-sided promontory that forms the hillfort site.

   Easy to get wrong

   This short stretch is highly technical underfoot. OSM maps a path along this stretch, but the ground is littered with hidden drops, exposed tree roots, and slick rock shelves. The drops into the adjacent ravine are severe and hidden by tree canopy.

   If you need to get off

   No way down through the forestry has been checked for this guide. Do not drop east into the dangerous Shoulthwaite Gill ravine.

6. 6

   Castle Crag (Shoulthwaite) → Great How (Thirlmere) (3.0 km, 182 m)

   Descent of about 222 m, then a climb of about 182 m, over 3.0 km.

   Traverse east through the Shoulthwaite forestry, picking up established logging tracks that wind down towards the northern end of Thirlmere. Cross the access roads near the massive concrete dam wall, then make a steep, short climb up through mature woodland trails to reach the forested, rocky summit of Great How.

   Waypoints

   Shoulthwaite logging tracks, Thirlmere Dam wall, Great How ascent trail, Great How summit (333m).

   Decision point

   The massive body of water at Thirlmere and its imposing dam wall serve as a huge catching feature at the end of the forest traverse.

   Easy to get wrong

   Navigating commercial forestry can be confusing due to unmapped logging trails and felled timber blocking paths. The ascent up Great How is steep and can be slick with wet pine needles, mud, and exposed roots.

   If you need to get off

   No road walk from the dam has been checked for this guide as an escape.

7. Great How (Thirlmere) → Finish (2.3 km, 73 m)

   Descent of about 168 m, with about 73 m of climbing, over 2.3 km.

   Descend the winding woodland trails from Great How's summit, dropping to the eastern shore of Thirlmere. Pick up the gentle, undulating lakeside footpaths and quiet estate tracks, heading north-east through the timber to cross the valley floor and complete the circuit back at Legburthwaite.

   Waypoints

   Great How descent, Thirlmere eastern shore path, Legburthwaite (finish).

   Decision point

   Keep the A591 to your right and the shoreline of Thirlmere to your left. The established, waymarked forest trails provide a continuous line back to the start point.

   Easy to get wrong

   Physical fatigue at the end of a multi-peak day is the primary factor. The woodland footpaths are easy but contain trip hazards like slick slate outcrops and exposed tree roots, particularly near the water's edge.

   If you need to get off

   You are on the low-level walk-out; follow the route's own line back to the start.