A challenging 16.1 km fell walk in the North Western Fells, taking in 8 Wainwrights including Crag Hill (Eel Crag) and Grisedale Pike and more. Starting from Braithwaite, the route climbs 1337 m. Allow around 5h 27m 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 16.1 km with 1337 m of ascent, this route is rated Challenging. This is a demanding route requiring good navigational skills, a strong level of fitness, and full mountain kit. Start early and monitor the weather closely.
The route takes in 8 Wainwrights, covering 16.1 km from Braithwaite. Using Naismith's Rule, allow around 5h 27m of walking time, plus extra for rest stops, navigation, and photos. Fine-tune your estimate with the Naismith Calculator.
The walk starts at Braithwaite. 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 serious day on the high fells. Kit choice matters — I wouldn't leave any of this behind on a route like this.
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