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7.64 km · ~265 m ascent · ~2–2.5 h · loop · 4 summits

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Hard steepnessLoopPlanned

Birketts South of Burnbanks

7.64 km
Distance
~2–2.5 h
Typical time
~265 m
Ascent
4
Summits
Download GPX →Planned route · not yet walked

Key facts

Distance 7.64 km
Ascent ~265 m
Descent ~264 m
Time ~2–2.5 h
Type Loop
Four low tops in the woods and crags above Haweswater — Naddle Low Forest, Hugh's Laithes Pike, Wallow Crag and Naddle High Forest. Just 7.6 km and 265 m, easy for length but rated hard to navigate. About two hours.
✎️ Planned route — drawn but not personally walked or checked yet. A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass. How to use this guide.

Difficulty profile

LengthEasy7.64 km — a short outing.
SteepnessHardSteepest sustained pull about 26% around the 1.5 km mark.
TerrainModerateMostly good mountain path. desk assessment — not field-verified
NavigationHardCare needed in cloud — ~38% featureless high ground. desk assessment — not field-verified
ExposureNot assessedExposure (drops, scrambling, how bad a slip would be) can’t be judged from gradient data alone, so we don’t guess. A rating appears once the route is editorially assessed or walked.

Five independent axes, not one score. “Desk” ratings come from maps and guidebooks, not yet walked — treat them as a guide, not a survey.

Access & barriers

Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.

Dog
Gates only
Buggy
Not buggy-able
Knees
Gentle descent
  • Dog: Gates and kissing gates only — a dog can do the whole route.
  • Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
  • Knees: No sustained steep descent — kind on the knees.

On the line: 10 gates

These are mapped barriers, from OpenStreetMap — coverage in the Lakes is good but not guaranteed complete. Spotted a stile or gate we’ve missed? Tell us (opens in new tab) and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-07-26. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).

Daylight & turnaround

Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.

OpenTopoMap
Elevation profile, shaded by steepness
Elevation profile Rises from about 245 m to 424 m over 7.6 km, with the summits marked in order. The area beneath is shaded by sustained steepness over a 250 m window, in the same four bands as the route’s steepness rating: Easy under 15%, Moderate 15 to 25%, Hard 25 to 35%, Severe above 35%. 424 m 245 m 0 km 7.6 km 1234

1 Naddle Low Forest2 Hugh's Laithes Pike3 Wallow Crag4 Naddle High Forest

Easy 92%Moderate 7%Hard <1%Severe

~265 m
Total ascent
424 m
High point
252 m
Start height

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).

This walk covers about 7.64 km with around 265 m of ascent, taking in 4 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.

Pacing

SummitCumulativeAscentTime (fast–steady)
1Naddle Low Forest2.1 km198 m0:45–1:00
2Hugh's Laithes Pike2.3 km198 m0:47–1:03
3Wallow Crag3.2 km198 m0:58–1:17
4Naddle High Forest4.2 km222 m1:13–1:37
Finish7.6 km265 m1:58–2:37

Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.

The walk, stage by stage

  1. 1

    Start → Naddle Low Forest (2.1 km, 198 m)

    Climb of about 198 m over 2.1 km (around 9% average).

    Starting from the small hamlet of Burnbanks near the Haweswater Dam, the route immediately crosses the dam access road and plunges into the RSPB Naddle Forest reserve. You begin a steep, winding ascent through ancient oak and birch woodland before breaking out the tree line onto the open, craggy fell. The 9% average gradient masks a very sharp initial pull out of the valley. Once on the ridge, the ground transitions to pathless, deep heather and rocky outcrops as you push west towards Naddle Low Forest

    Waypoints

    Start Point: Burnbanks parking area (approx. NY 504 162). Woodland Boundary / Intake Wall: The transition from steep forest to open moorland. Naddle Low Forest Summit (434 m): A rocky knoll marked by a small cairn, surrounded by heather

    Decision point

    Handrails: The deer fence and the edge of the woodland serve as an initial handrail during the ascent. Keep them roughly on your left as you climb until forced onto the ridge. Visuals: Looking back north, the flat expanse of the Eden Valley and the village of Bampton provide a clear orientation check

    Easy to get wrong

    Seasonal Hazards: The lower woodland slopes and the intake boundary are swarming with dense, waist-high bracken from June to September. This completely obscures the faint animal trods. Tick Warning: This area is heavily populated by deer and sheep, and the dense heather makes it a prime location for ticks. Long trousers are essential. Terrain: Underfoot, the fell is littered with hidden rocks and ankle-twisting holes concealed by the thick vegetation

    If you need to get off

    Retreat: Carefully retrace your steps north, descending through the woods directly back to Burnbanks. Trap: Do not drift east during the descent. The ground drops precipitously into the heavily wooded, craggy gorge of Haweswater Beck, trapping you above steep drops

  2. 2

    Naddle Low Forest → Hugh's Laithes Pike (0.2 km, 0 m)

    Undulating section of about 0.2 km.

    A very brief, undulating hop across the ridge crest. The terrain is entirely pathless, consisting of a jumble of rocky bumps and heather-filled hollows. You are navigating line-of-sight between the two highest bumps on this section of the plateau

    Waypoints

    Hugh's Laithes Pike Summit (438 m): The highest point of this northern cluster, offering excellent views down the length of Haweswater

    Decision point

    Visual Targeting: The summit of Hugh's Laithes Pike is distinct and immediately visible south of Naddle Low Forest in clear weather

    Easy to get wrong

    Micro-Topography: The ridge is a chaotic mess of minor rocky pikes. It is easy to waste energy climbing the wrong bump if you aren't paying attention to the true summit

    If you need to get off

    Retreat: Due to the 200m distance, the only logical bail is to retrace your steps north over Naddle Low Forest and descend to Burnbanks

  3. 3

    Hugh's Laithes Pike → Wallow Crag (0.9 km, 1 m)

    Undulating section of about 0.9 km.

    You now push south along the undulating spine of the Naddle ridge. (Note: This is the Haweswater Wallow Crag, not the famous Derwentwater viewpoint). The route is a messy traverse through deep heather, crossing several slight, boggy depressions. The net elevation change is practically zero, but the constant weaving around rock outcrops and peat hags makes it slow going

    Waypoints

    The Ridge Depressions: Several slight, damp cols you must cross. Wallow Crag Summit (429 m): A superb rocky prow perched dramatically over the eastern shore of Haweswater

    Decision point

    Handrails: Keep the steep drop down to Haweswater strictly on your right (west). This acts as a firm, albeit dangerous, boundary line. Visuals: Haweswater is a constant, massive visual aid to your right

    Easy to get wrong

    Clag Navigation: The Naddle ridge is notoriously confusing in the mist. The sheer number of identical-looking rocky knolls and the lack of a defined path make it one of the easiest places in the Far Eastern fells to get turned around. Exposure: While the elevation is low, you are exposed to weather blowing directly off the lake

    If you need to get off

    Retreat: The safest option in bad weather is to turn 180 degrees and follow a northerly bearing back to the start. Trap: Do absolutely NOT bail directly west off Wallow Crag to the lake. The crags are sheer, dangerous, and heavily guarded by impenetrable woodland on the lower slopes

  4. 4

    Wallow Crag → Naddle High Forest (1.1 km, 23 m)

    Undulating section of about 1.1 km.

    Continuing south-west, the ridge broadens significantly. You leave the dramatic drops of Wallow Crag and head into the widest, boggiest section of the Naddle plateau. The terrain is a sprawling expanse of damp moss, tussocks, and heather, with a gentle 23 m pull up to the summit of Naddle High Forest

    Waypoints

    The Broad Col: The wide, often sodden expanse separating the two heights. Naddle High Forest Summit (435 m): A quiet, unassuming Birkett marked by a modest cairn in a sea of heather

    Decision point

    Compass Bearings: Essential here in poor visibility. You must accurately shoot a bearing from Wallow Crag to Naddle High Forest, as the terrain lacks any distinct catch features or walls

    Easy to get wrong

    Bogs: The depressions on this stage hold water year-round. Expect deep, hidden pools of black peat disguised by sphagnum moss. Fatigue: High-stepping through deep heather for over a kilometre is exhausting work for the hip flexors

    If you need to get off

    Retreat: You are now midway along the ridge. If conditions are poor, descending east into the secluded Swindale valley (aiming for Swindale Head) is a viable escape, though it requires a long walk or a taxi back to Burnbanks

  5. Naddle High Forest → Finish (3.4 km, 43 m)

    About 3.4 km with 43 m of ascent.

    The final stage is a long, undulating return journey. From Naddle High Forest, you drop off the high ridge, typically contouring east-north-east to intercept the lower valley tracks or the famous Haweswater shore path. The terrain transitions from deep fell grass and heather back into the beautiful, enclosed oak woodlands of the RSPB reserve, delivering you via a wide, rolling track back to the Burnbanks dam

    Waypoints

    Descent Spur: The grassy line dropping off the northern flanks of the Naddle High Forest plateau. RSPB Woodland Boundary: Entering the enclosed woodland area above the lake. Haweswater Shore Path / Lower Track: The well-made path wrapping around the base of the fells. Burnbanks Finish: The hamlet and parking area

    Decision point

    Visual Targeting: As you drop off the fell, Haweswater and the massive concrete structure of the dam are unmistakable visual targets. Handrails: Once you hit the lower shore path, the lake on your left and the steep woods on your right funnel you perfectly back to Burnbanks

    Easy to get wrong

    Slippery Descents: The grassy drop off the plateau is steep in places and heavily lubricated by rain. Undulating Walk-Out: The 43 m of re-ascent on this final stage occurs mostly on the woodland track, which rises and falls constantly over tree roots and rocky bluffs as it hugs the shoreline. It can feel surprisingly tiring at the end of the day

    If you need to get off

    Retreat: This stage is the designated walk-out. Trap: When descending from Naddle High Forest, do not drop east into the Naddle Beck catchment unless you want a very boggy, confusing return loop. Keep your descent trending west/north-west to hit the solid, reliable tracks of the Haweswater shore

Summits bagged (4)

  1. 1Naddle Low Forest426 mFar Eastern · Birkett, Synge
  2. 2Hugh's Laithes Pike419 mAround Penrith · Outlying Fell, Synge
  3. 3Wallow Crag433 mAround Penrith · Outlying Fell, Birkett, Synge
  4. 4Naddle High Forest435 mAround Penrith · Outlying Fell, Birkett, Synge

In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.

Getting there & parking

Hugh's Laithes Pike (verge) — 0.0 km from the start (straight line)
0.3 km from Hugh's Laithes Pike. Gravel lane parking at the road side; Lee added the OSM feature himself.
Directions (opens in new tab)Something changed here?
Naddle Farm Top car park — 0.8 km from the start (straight line)
Nearest fells: Naddle Farm Top (Naddle Horseshoe - 3) (0.9 km), Hugh's Laithes Pike (1.1 km), Pinnacle Howe (1.2 km). Fee not verified — check signage on arrival.
Directions (opens in new tab)Something changed here?

Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.

Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.

Every option near this start, on the parking map →

Water, shelter & getting away

On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors — an absent marker does not mean the facility isn’t there.

Buses

We don’t know yet. The path network around this start isn’t mapped well enough for us to measure a walk from the nearest stop. That’s a gap in our data, not a sign that no bus comes here.

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.

Safety & conditions

  • The Naddle ridge carries a 1 km+ stretch with no clear path through rough forest-edge ground — faint trods come and go; keep the map handy.

Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.

Make it easier or harder

Short version: turn back at about 3.6 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.

Download

Download GPX

GPX track for your GPS or phone.

Places to stay near this start

Haweswater Hotel (opens in new tab) hotel

about 2.5 km from the start, in a straight line

It is the only one of the six candidates inside this radius whose site returned a single byte, and it happens to answer two of the questions that matter at this start. A walker arriving with a dog gets a real answer rather than a slogan: twelve rooms are named, and the page goes further and offers the opposite choice too ("Please let us know if you prefer to stay in a non-dog friendly room"), which tells a party with a dog-averse member as much as it tells the dog owner. And there is a restaurant on site with two rosettes, which at a start this far up the Haweswater road decides whether you get back in the car after the walk. What it does not answer is the whole family half of the row — no children, cot, family room, parking, drying or breakfast wording exists anywhere in the four cached pages — so a family should phone before booking rather than read anything into the silence.

It went up in 1937 as part of the Haweswater dam works, and it exists because the reservoir drowned the inn it replaced — the old Dun Bull. Its own history page also claims it is the only building in the hundred square miles of nature reserve around the lake.

  • Dogs “Dogs are allowed in the following rooms: Wainwright, Mardale, Lonsdale, Westmorland, Artle Crag, Lakeside, Measand, Whelter Crag, Swindale, Cawdale, Rosgil, Wet Sleddle.”
  • Evening meal “Our restaurant was awarded Two Rosettes in 2024”

New Ing Lodge (opens in new tab) hostel

about 6.0 km from the start, in a straight line

At 5.95 km this is outside our usual 4.83 km radius, and it is here because nothing closer answers the questions a family asks: of the six candidates inside the radius, five publish nothing and the sixth says not one word about children, cots, family rooms, drying, laundry or parking. New Ing Lodge is the nearest cached property that answers those questions in its own words rather than ours, and it answers them as a block: family ensuite rooms, overnight laundry, free parking, a play area, an EV charger. The laundry line is the one that earns its place here — "Overnight Laundry" is the thing that gets a child's soaked kit usable for a second day on the fell, and it is the only such claim in the whole 9 km searched.

The whole lodge can be taken over at once — its exclusive-hire listing puts the place at sleeping up to 30, with a kitchen, a games room and a fire pit — and at the other end of the scale it still runs a bunk dorm, four bunks to the room.

  • Family rooms “Family Ensuite Rooms Double Ensuite Rooms FULLY LICENSED BAR Overnight Laundry Free Parking GARDEN AREA PLAY AREA Outdoor Seating area EV Charger”
  • Parking “Family Ensuite Rooms Double Ensuite Rooms FULLY LICENSED BAR Overnight Laundry Free Parking GARDEN AREA PLAY AREA Outdoor Seating area EV Charger”

What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).

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