A moderate 13.8 km fell walk in the Central Lake District, taking in 5 Wainwrights including High Seat and Bleaberry Fell and more. Starting from Thirlmere, the route climbs 612 m. Allow around 3h 47m by Naismith's Rule.
The Central fells sit at the heart of the Lake District, offering some of the most iconic high-level ridge walking in England. This compact, rugged group rewards walkers with sweeping views in every direction and a real sense of being deep in the mountains.
At 13.8 km with 612 m of ascent, this route is rated Moderate. Expect a solid day out with sustained climbing sections. Walkers should be comfortable on open fell terrain and carry map, compass, and adequate layers.
The route takes in 5 Wainwrights, covering 13.8 km from Thirlmere. Using Naismith's Rule, allow around 3h 47m of walking time, plus extra for rest stops, navigation, and photos. Fine-tune your estimate with the Naismith Calculator.
The walk starts at Thirlmere. Check parking availability before you go as popular Lake District car parks fill quickly on weekends. The Lake District National Park Authority website has up-to-date car park information.
Download the GPX file to your device before setting off. The map shows the route and Wainwright summit positions. In poor visibility, always use a physical OS map and compass. Do not rely solely on a phone GPS in mountain terrain.
Late spring through early autumn (May to October) gives the best conditions. Winter walking on the fells requires additional skills and daylight planning. Always check the Mountain Weather Information Service before heading out.
My standard Lake District day kit. Everything here has been out on the fells with me and earned its place in the pack.
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