A easy 9.2 km fell walk in the North Western Fells, taking in one Wainwright including Castle Crag. Starting from Bowder stone car park, the route climbs 386 m. Allow around 2h 29m by Naismith's Rule.
The North Western fells form a long spine between Keswick and Cockermouth, offering superb ridge walking with relatively moderate ascents. The Newlands Valley, tucked in their midst, is one of the most beautiful in the whole of the Lake District.
At 9.2 km with 386 m of ascent, this route is rated Easy. Good paths and manageable gradients make this accessible to most walkers with basic fitness and suitable footwear, making it a great choice for those new to Wainwright bagging.
The route takes in 1 Wainwright, covering 9.2 km from Bowder stone car park. Using Naismith's Rule, allow around 2h 29m of walking time, plus extra for rest stops, navigation, and photos. Fine-tune your estimate with the Naismith Calculator.
The walk starts at Bowder stone car park. 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.
A manageable route that doesn't demand a huge kit list — but good footwear and a waterproof are non-negotiable on the fells. This is what I carry.
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