Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
If undertaking this walk, allow plenty of time to take in the most marvellous
mountain scenery. The path from Seathwaite Farm up Grains Gill is excellent and
dominated by the awesome and intimidating sight of the North face of Great End.
The major junction at Esk Hause allows you to take your pick of some of Lakeland`s
more loftier heights such as Scafell Pike via a number of ingenious well marked paths
The walk starts from Seathwaite Farm along the beautiful Borrowdale valley. This
shot is taken roughly a mile away from the Farm as the verges closer by are blocked
off with boulders
We arrive at the Farm and the public path skirts between two rows of buildings
out to open pasture land
Arriving at the first of a series of barred gates on the path to Stockley Bridge.
Ahead is the massive bulk of Seathwaite Fell
Further down the path and the views open up to reveal the mouth of the valley. The path
itself climbs gradually to quite a lofty height but the gradient is favourable and tends
to ease you into the climb
Taylorgill Force. Whilst not immediately en route it does merit a small detour
from the path if time permits
Onwards with the walk, and the cobblestone path leads on to Stockley Bridge
Stockley Bridge
Crossing Grains Gill
Over the bridge and through the gate and make an immediate left turn to take
the path that runs parallel to the wall
Starting off on the gradual climb that runs parallel with the Gill
All navigation worries are put aside now as the path follows unerringly to the top
of the Gill. The stone stairway helps with the increasing gradient
Higher on up the path and a view of what will be our third Fell of the day, Allen Crags
One of the several points along the route where the Gill cascades from a height
Higher still and the path steepens as we catch our first proper sight of Great End
The view back down the valley towards Seathwaite and a distant Derwent Water
The intimidating aspect of the North face of Great End
At the top of the Gill now and this is the major highway to all the main attractions.
From here take a left and follow any one of the several paths that lead up to Esk Hause
Looking right at the impressive sight of Great and Green Gable with the path to
Styhead Tarn meandering West
We, however turn left up Ruddy Gill to start the climb up to Esk Hause
Looking back down to the climb to Esk Hause and a fleeting view
of Sprinkling Tarn which will be our final destination of the day
The major junction of Esk Hause and our first Fell of the day Esk Pike
From Esk Hause, a view South towards Ill Crag which is one of the
Scafell subsidiaries
Approaching the summit of Esk Pike
On top of Esk Pike and a view East towards the Langdale valley and
the Langdale Pikes
From the top of Esk Pike a view of the summit platform on Scafell Pike
Great End, Great Gable and Green Gable
Looking North towards Skiddaw, Derwent Water and Keswick
On the summit of Esk Pike. Click here for a 360 degree view
We met Briony on the summit who recognised us from the website. We spent
some time chatting about various routes before she scooted off to complete
her 100th summit on Great End
From the summit we retraced our steps back down to the Hause to
pick up the path to Great End
Looking back from where we came from and a view towards Bowfell and Crinkle Crags
Following the path to Great End
On reaching the top of the dip, take the narrow path that rises over the top of
Calf Cove which leads without any difficulty to the very flat summit of Great End
Looking to Lingmell and the Wasdale valley
Great Gable and Green Gable from the summit of Great End
Click here for a 360 degree view
The shelter cairn on Great End
Again, we retrace our steps back to Esk Hause and then set off for Allen Crags
The scree path leading upwards to the summit of Allen Crags. Very easy walking
Ste on the summit of Allen Crags
The view North towards Skiddaw and Derwent Water
Looking East towards the summit of Bowfell
Heading down to our final destination of the day ... Sprinkling Tarn
Descending Ruddy Gill towards Sprinkling Tarn hidden behind the rock outcrops
Surely one of the most idyllic spots anywhere in Lakeland. Sprinkling Tarn dwarfed
by Great Gable. We aren`t fans of wild camping, but I could make an exception here.
A truly wonderful place and I would highly recommend the slight detour to visit it.
After this we made the lengthy descent back down Grains Gill to Seathwaite.
It is just wonderful to be in the Lake District on days like this
