Birketts North of Thirlmere

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Castle Rock (0.5 km, 139 m)

   Climb of about 139 m over 0.5 km (around 28% 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, 280m)

   Decision point

   The massive, towering wall of Castle Rock serves as an unmistakable 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 28% 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, 184 m)

   Climb of about 184 m over 1.7 km (around 11% average).

   Drop down the gentle northern 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 (280m)

   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

   Before crossing the beck or ascending Wren Crag, you can bail onto the quiet St John's in the Vale road, which offers a flat, tarmac walk back south to the start

3. 3

   Wren Crag → High Rigg (High Rigg South Top) (1.8 km, 54 m)

   Undulating section of about 1.8 km.

   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 the broad, cairned high point of High Rigg (South Top)

   Waypoints

   Wren Crag, High Rigg central depressions, High Rigg South Top (true summit, 357m)

   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

   If visibility vanishes, you can easily drop east down easy, grassy slopes to hit the quiet valley road in St John's in the Vale, or drop west to the A591 corridor

4. 4

   High Rigg (High Rigg South Top) → The Benn (Sippling Crag) (4.1 km, 289 m)

   Climb of about 289 m over 4.1 km (around 7% average).

   Descend the northern nose of High Rigg past the historic youth centre and church, crossing the valley road. Cross the valley floor and enter the dark, forestry-covered lower slopes of Shoulthwaite, grinding up rough, trackless fellside and timber clearing paths to reach the rugged, heathery height of The Benn (Sippling Crag)

   Waypoints

   St John's Church, Shoulthwaite Moss, Shoulthwaite forestry, The Benn summit (Sippling Crag, 300m)

   Decision point

   St John's Church serves as a clear visual mid-point in the valley bottom. The dense line of the Shoulthwaite conifer plantations acts as a massive landmark guiding your approach to the western fells

   Easy to get wrong

   At 4.1 km, this is a long and varied stage. The transition from open fell to managed forestry introduces complex junction navigation. The climb up The Benn is off-piste, rough, and choked with thick heather, hidden boulders, and waterlogged peat hags

   If you need to get off

   Upon reaching the valley floor near St John's Church, you can bail straight along the A591 road. Once in the Shoulthwaite forestry, stick to the main graded logging roads to descend to the highway

5. 5

   The Benn (Sippling Crag) → Castle Crag (Shoulthwaite) (0.6 km, 2 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, 270m)

   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. The ground is pathless, 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

   Head directly west into the commercial forestry to intersect the main timber haulage roads, which offer a safe, clear route down to the A591. Do not drop east into the dangerous Shoulthwaite Gill ravine

6. 6

   Castle Crag (Shoulthwaite) → Great How (Thirlmere) (3.0 km, 169 m)

   Climb of about 169 m over 3.0 km (around 6% average).

   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 an infallible, 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

   Once at Thirlmere Dam, you are at a major escape node. You can easily walk out along the flat, paved A591 on the eastern side or the quiet reservoir road on the west

7. Great How (Thirlmere) → Finish (2.2 km, 73 m)

   Climb of about 73 m over 2.2 km (around 3% average).

   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, foolproof 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 already on a low-level, safe walk-out. If preferred, step onto the paved footway of the main A591 road for an entirely flat, direct walk back to the parking area