Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
The fine weather returned to Lakeland this week. We chose the Wednesday to make
the journey up to Stonethwaite in the Borrowdale valley to climb Rosthwaite Fell. The
climb to the Col at the top of Big Stanger Gill is extremely steep, but thankfully the path
has had some considerable work in making it stepped so as to ease the climb somewhat.
The views on top are exceptional.
From Keswick, head out down the Borrowdale valley to the hamlet of Rosthwaite. The
narrow lane leading up to the hamlet provides additional parking if the main parking
area is full
Setting off down the road to Stonethwaite
Down the lane passing through Stonethwaite and keep right so as to take the
path towards the camp site
At the end of the lane, a sign post indicates to branch off down a stony
track towards the camp site
Heading towards the camp site
Directly opposite the camp site enterance on the left a wooden gate gives access
to the steep path that runs parallel to Big Stanger Gill
The climb starts immediately from the gate. It is stepped to assist with
the steepness
Big Stanger Gill from the path
A strange cluster of toadstools
The path climbs ever more steeply
After some 30 minutes of hard toil, we approach the Col at the top of the Gill
Approaching Bull Crag. At this point you have to cross the Gill. The path
is unmistakably clear throughout
Approaching the Col
Looking back towards Stonethwaite
The path eventually leads to a gate in a retaining fence, after which
the terrain underfoot turns boggy
The path skirts right, round the base of a number of rock outcrops known as
Rancom Bands
An indication of how boggy the ground is. The path however skirts the edge
of the bog
The approach to the summit starts by skirting left around the base of the Fell
towards a Tarn
Looking towards Fleetwith Pike
Tarn at Leaves. The path skirts the water to make an approach
to the summit from the Southern face
From the path (close to the Tarn) look out for a break in the rock bands
which then leads to the summit approach
The approach to the summit of Rosthwaite Fell
Looking towards Skiddaw from the summit approach
On the summit of Rosthwaite Fell. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking East towards Sergeants Crag and Eagle Crag
Looking over the top of Ullscarf towards the Helvellyn range
We stayed on the summit for some considerable time and had the good fortune
to be joined by Jackie & Darren from Ulverston, who had already been across to
Sergeants and Eagle Crags. We chatted for some while about our separate
Wainwright walking journeys, and they obliged us with this team shot on the summit.
Thank you for your company Jackie & Darren
Looking down to Tarn at Leaves with Rosthwaite Cam in the background
Looking towards the Northern face of Pike o` Stickle peeping up over High Raise
Back down at Stonethwaite as the early evening sun casts its shadows
over Borrowdale
