Grange Fell, High Tove & High Seat - Friday 7 February 2025
Route
Grange - Troutdale - King's How - Brund Fell - Jopplety How - Watendlath - High Tove - The Pewits - High Seat - High Strutta - Ashness Bridge - Great Wood - The Ings - Friar's Crag - Keswick
Parking
This was a linear walk therefore we parked in Keswick and caught the bus to the village of Grange and walked back
Mileage
11 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout
Weather
Overcast with sunny spells. It was very cold on the summit ridges
Time Taken
5hrs 50mins
Total Ascent
3008ft (917m)
Wainwrights
3
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Katherine Dixon
Grange - Troutdale - King's How - Brund Fell - Jopplety How - Watendlath - High Tove - The Pewits - High Seat - High Strutta - Ashness Bridge - Great Wood - The Ings - Friar's Crag - Keswick
Parking
This was a linear walk therefore we parked in Keswick and caught the bus to the village of Grange and walked back
Mileage
11 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout
Weather
Overcast with sunny spells. It was very cold on the summit ridges
Time Taken
5hrs 50mins
Total Ascent
3008ft (917m)
Wainwrights
3
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Katherine Dixon
GPX File
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Route Map
From the Bus Stop at Grange Bridge we crossed over the road to walk alongside the River Derwent - our path is to the right of shot
High & Low Scawdel over the River Derwent from Grange Bridge
After 250 yards the path reaches the B5289 and crosses it to head up a way marked lane towards Troutdale
Looking back down the lane towards Cat Bells as we pass the cottages at Troutdale
The lovely valley of Troutdale with Greatend Crag ahead - this is a very quiet spot and you are unlikely to bump into anybody else here
After passing through Troutdale the climbing begins as we head through woodland towards Long Moss. Wainwright was clearly a fan of this climb up to King's How which he described as "exquisitely lovely (in Autumn, a golden ladder to heaven) and simply must not be missed" (Grange Fell 3).
Passing through the woodland we arrived at Long Moss with King's How now in view
Looking back to Brund Fell as we start the climb to King's How
Nearing the summit of King's How looking to Derwentwater, Keswick & Skiddaw
High Spy, Maiden Moor & Cat Bells from the approach to the summit of King's How
The King Edward VII Monument below the summit of King's How
Following the death of King Edward VII in 1910, his sister Princess Louise, President of the National Trust decided to purchase the viewpoint of Grange Fell in Borrowdale. She wanted to make it a public gift through the National Trust in memory of the late King. With strong public support, the necessary funds were quickly raised, leading to the purchase of Grange Fell. This acquisition included Bowderstone Cottage and the popular tourist attraction, The Bowder Stone.
The inscription on the monument reads :
In loving memory of King Edward VII Grange Fell is dedicated by his sister Louise as a sanctuary of rest and peace. Here may all beings gather strength. Find in scenes of beautiful nature a cause. For gratitude and love to God giving them. Courage and vigour to carry on his will
Following the death of King Edward VII in 1910, his sister Princess Louise, President of the National Trust decided to purchase the viewpoint of Grange Fell in Borrowdale. She wanted to make it a public gift through the National Trust in memory of the late King. With strong public support, the necessary funds were quickly raised, leading to the purchase of Grange Fell. This acquisition included Bowderstone Cottage and the popular tourist attraction, The Bowder Stone.
The inscription on the monument reads :
In loving memory of King Edward VII Grange Fell is dedicated by his sister Louise as a sanctuary of rest and peace. Here may all beings gather strength. Find in scenes of beautiful nature a cause. For gratitude and love to God giving them. Courage and vigour to carry on his will
Katherine on the summit of King's How looking to Skiddaw with Blencathra to the right
The summit of King's How
King's How looking to Brund Fell - we were off there next
Angie and I on the summit of King's How
Looking to Ullscarf, Greenup Edge, High Raise, Pike O'Stickle, Rosthwaite Fell, Glaramara, The Scafells & Great Gable from King's How
A last look at Skiddaw, Blencathra & Derwentwater before we leave King's How - for very little effort the views are just superb
Crossing over Long Moss to Brund Fell, the summit of Grange Fell
Looking back over Long Moss to King's How
The route passes an old sheepfold with the rocky outcrops of Brund Fell now visible
Ascending Brund Fell
Approaching Jopplety How
The south top of Brund Fell
A summit selfie on Brund Fell's south top
King's How from the summit of Brund Fell with High Spy & Maiden More beyond
Looking back to the north top as we drop down to the path that will take us to Watendlath
From Brund Fell the route hand rails a wall to Watendlath which is in the valley below. Our climb to High Tove can be seen on the opposite side of the valley to the right of the large ravine. In the far distance is the Helvellyn range.
The path continues to hand rail the wall as Watendlath Tarn comes into view. The path does move away from the wall on occasion but never too far.
The wall curves around Black Waugh with the hamlet of Watendlath below
Watendlath Tarn as we near the junction with the Watendlath to Rosthwaite path
Approaching the path junction - time for lunch I think
Looking down Watendlath Tarn
On the western side of Watendlath bridge is a stone embedded in the ground commemorating the visit of Prince Charles in 1995. What many people may not know is that our King was a frequent visitor to the area before his accession to the throne.
Watendlath Bridge with the beck of the same name flowing underneath
After a break for lunch Angie returned to Keswick via Surprise View & Ashness Bridge whilst Katherine and I made our way to High Tove. Leaving the hamlet, the route passes Watendlath Bothy - unlike most bothies, this one is not free and must be booked via the National Trust.
Just past the bothy a way mark on the right leads to a path alongside a beck - this is the start of the ascent to High Tove
The path zig zags up the fell side giving a great view back to Watendlath Tarn
Up until now the gradient is quite steep however when reaching a large hand gate this eases a 100 yards or so on the other side
The approach to High Tove is now on a very pleasant grassy path that rises gently
Near the summit of High Tove is an area of water management - it gets a bit damp up here. High Seat is now in view to the rear.
The route to High Tove reaches a hand gate in a fence - the summit can be seen on the other side
The summit of High Tove looking to The Dodds, the Helvellyn range & Fairfield - in the foreground to the right is Armboth Fell
Looking to High Seat - in days gone by this section of the walk from High Tove over The Pewits would be an absolute nightmare. However, over the last few years much work has been done to make the transit easier and in turn control the erosion.
Approaching High Seat
Looking back to High Tove and The Pewits with Ullscarf to the rear
Helvellyn over Thirlmere from the ascent of High Seat
Layers & layers of fells
Approximately 200 yards from the summit the route crosses a fence line. Both gates are padlocked therefore the access to the summit is via the stile on the right.
Approaching the summit of High Seat
Katherine on the summit of High Seat
High Seat has twin summits - the other top can be seen here 100 yards to the east and is known simply as "Man"
Bleaberry Fell from High Seat with Skiddaw, Lonscale Fell & Blencathra distant
The route leaves High Seat to the north west over Ashness Fell towards Dodd - I hadn't descended this way before today
After an initial descent over rough ground we were treated to some very welcome slabs
After passing the hill of Dodd the route starts to descend to Ashness Bridge & High Strutta
Descending to the waterfalls of Barrow Beck
Approaching High Strutta looking to Derwentwater
One of the most photographed spots in the Lake District - Ashness Bridge
Crossing the Ashness Bridge to Watendlath road, the route follows a way marked post towards Great Wood
Cat Bells over Derwentwater from the terrace path to Great Wood
The terrace path between Ashness Bridge & Great Wood is a superb walk as can be seen from the view down Derwentwater to Skiddaw
Looking up from the terrace path to Falcon Crag - a haven for rock climbers
The footbridge over Cat Gill
From Great Wood the route crosses the B5289 and eventually reaches the shores of Derwentwater at Strandshag Bay. The light was just superb as we look over the lake to Maiden Moor & Cat Bells amongst others.
Skelgill Bank, Causey Pike, Barrow & Grisedale Pike across Derwentwater
The landing stages at Keswick and plenty of our feathered friends
The Moot Hall in Keswick - the finish point of today's walk
The Moot Hall was built in 1813 and during its life the Grade II listed building has been used as a market, a court house and a museum. It presently houses the Lake District National Park's Tourist Centre which has been on site since the late 1970s. All that is about to change though as a significant rise in the lease has meant that this expenditure cannot be sustained, therefore the LDNPA will move out when the current lease expires in March 2026.
The Moot Hall was built in 1813 and during its life the Grade II listed building has been used as a market, a court house and a museum. It presently houses the Lake District National Park's Tourist Centre which has been on site since the late 1970s. All that is about to change though as a significant rise in the lease has meant that this expenditure cannot be sustained, therefore the LDNPA will move out when the current lease expires in March 2026.