Walla Crag Walk Guide - Lake District

This circular walk near Keswick, takes you up to the top of Walla Crag, where you will have breathtaking views of Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. Then you descend, passed Ashness Bridge, before finishing along an adventurous hillside trail.

Looking down to Derwentwater after the walk to the top of Walla Crag. there are a couple of small islands in the water, and fells on the other side.

What I’m going to do in this guide, is tell you a bit about what to expect, full logistics, a map, and tips. Followed by a detailed walking route description with photos.

What to expect on the Walla Crag walk

The start of the walk takes you through the Great Wood, on a gradual uphill. Then you will exit the woods for your first views down to Keswick and Derwentwater. You will continue walking uphill through a bit more woods, then you will be fully out in the open, for the final steep ascent up to the top of Walla Crag.

Looking down along the dirt path running through the grass, with orange fern all around, on the walk up Walla Crag. There is a valley down in the distance, and big hills on the other side.

For the last stretch of the walk up to the top of Walla Crag, it can be fairly boggy if it’s been raining, and a bit of manoeuvring will be in involved, to limit the wetness level of your feet.

Then once you reach the top, you will have some really breathtaking views all around. But this is not the last of the views….

Looking down the hill into the valley, and the blue water of Derwentwater on the circular Walla Crag walk. There are a few small islands in Derwentwater, and hills and peaks in the distance.

After the top of Walla Crag, the majority of the rest of the walk is downhill, and on the way down you will get views of Derwentwater from a different perspective, as well as a gorgeous view of the hills ahead of you.

Looking down the hill to the blue Derwentwater, with fells peaks on the other side, on the walk from Walla Crag.

Looking down the hill, to lots of woodland trees at the bottom, leading into Derwentwater, with big hills on the other side.

You will then loop back, passing over Ashness Bridge. Then for the last stretch, you will be on a narrow hillside dirt trail, with some rocky potentially slippy wet bits. This part of the trail is mostly downhill, with the occasional small up, and one slightly bigger up.

A dirt path running through the mass of orange fern, with tree tops ahead, and a blue lake in the distance on the circular Walla Crag walk.

The bridges

The main bridge on the walk is Ashness Bridge. It’s a small stone, quaint, packhorse bridge. Apparently it’s the most photographed bridge in the Lake District. You do pass over a few others, with the water cascading over rocks below you. Water sounds are a big feature on this walk.

Ashness stone bridge running over a flowing stream of water, with trees on the other side, and few peaks in the distance, on the circular Walla Crag walk. There is a woman sitting on some rocks on this side of the bridge, and a couple of people standing on the other side.

Do I need a car to do the Walla Crag walk?

Although I started this walk from a car park, you could actually do it without a car. The start of the trail is very near Keswick. The number 78 Borrowdale Bus will get you there from Keswick. Get off at Calfclose Bay stop, then walk back along the main road a short distance.

Logistics for the Walla Crag circular walk

Start/Finish: Great Wood car park, near Keswick
How to get there: From Keswick, drive south along the east side of Derwentwater, and it will be on the left side of the road. It’s about 5min out. See my map below for exact location. Or the number 78 Borrowdale Bus from Keswick, getting off as Calfclose Bay.
Distance: 5miles

Options to shorten the walk: Yes. After you reach the top of Walla Crag, you can skip the next bit, and loop back down and around to walk back to the car park. I will show you in the guide description below.
Time: 2h15min
Elevation: Highest point in the walk is Walla Crag at 360m give or take.

Difficulty: Moderate if you are new to hiking, easy if you are more experienced.
Terrain: Dirt trail, tree roots, rocks, bog, water on the trail, a small bit of road.
Time of year: I did this in autumn.

Dog friendly: It looks like it. There were other people and their dogs running around. Two stiles, which can be skipped for a gate a bit further back on the trail. I only saw livestock in a small section of the walk, a while past Walla Crag. However, I’m actually going to recommend skipping this small bit, and taking an alternate route, which I will show you when I describe the walk below.
Amenities: Nothing other than you and nature. However, you should find everything you need in Keswick nearby.

Tips for the Walla Crag walk

Hiking boots or shoes definitely. Due to the terrain, you will be much more comfortable in them.

If doing this in the colder months, wear layers. It can be hot and sweaty for the walk up Walla Crag, but in other sections, it can be quite cold.
As mentioned earlier, there is a small section I would skip in my route. I will explain why and how in the guide below.
Great Wood car park is National Trust. If you get a National Trust membership, you get free parking in NT car parks. The Lake District is full of National Trust car parks, and they can be quite expensive, so I bought my membership for the parking alone. It will also give you free entry to National Trust sites.

Map for the circular Walla Crag walk

You can find my more detailed Walla Crag route map on Alltrails.

More walking routes and guides for the Lake District will be at the end

A Guide To The Circular Walla Crag Walk

Starting from the Great Wood Car park, next to the pay and display is a trail signpost. Follow the direction for the Great Wood trail.

A dirt trail running uphill into the woods.

A wide stoney trail through the woodland, lines with a small amount of orange fern.

This first section will be under tree cover. The trail starts off narrow, then opens up to a wider trail. All the while going uphill. Keep to the main trail, for example, go straight in the junction in the photo below.

The first views

It’s fairly dark under the trees, but you will know the views are about to come when things start to get a bit lighter, as the trees get a bit less. Then you will have your first view to Derwentwater, the fells on the other side, and Keswick.

A narrow muddy dirt trail leading uphill in the woods, with an opening to the light ahead. There is lots of overgrown grass and orange fern surrounding the trail.

Looking across the grass fields with lots of trees, to a peak at the lake ahead, and numerous fells on the other side of the water.

The trail will then take you around to the right, alongside a stone wall.

A narrow dirt trail, with overgrown grass and a stone wall on the right. and a wire fence and field on the left.

Then at the end, turn right. You will be walking with some woods to your left and a field to your right, and the sound of the river stream below. You might have to squint to see it though, hidden below the darkness of the woods.

Back into the woods

You will then go back into woodland for a bit, on an undulating dirt and tree root trail. After crossing over the stream on a wooden bridge, continue straight and up to the road, where you turn right.

A dir trail on the hillside under the woodland trees.

A wooden bridge over the stream in the woods.

It’s a short walk along the road, taking the right turning at the junction. There is a sign pointing which way to walk for Walla Crag if you are not sure. Then a short way along, there is another wooden bridge crossing, then up a rocky trail leading you to the open.

A split in the road, with the left split being a private road, and the right one leading under the trees.

Bushed on the right of the road, with a rocky stream to the right of hit, and a wooden bridge ahead going over the stream.

A rocky dirt trail leading uphill, to a gate ahead.

The big walk up Walla Crag

This is where the trail becomes steeper. I could see my first people further up, slowing walking up the hill. It’s a mix of grassy, rocks and dirt for this bit.

A mass of people walking up a steep hill on the way to Walla Crag. The path is rocky through the grass, with orange fern and a stone wall on the right side.

I thought the views from earlier were great, but discovered that up here, it all gets a lot better. I stopped a lot to look back at the views, and told myself this is why I was stopping, and not because I needed a break from the uphill.

Looking down the grass hill, to the valley below on the walk up Walla Crag. There is masses of orange fern on the right side and on the hill ahead. There is a stone wall lined with orange fern on the left. There are a few people walking up the hill.

When you think you have reached the top, this is not it. There is a still a bit to go, as the hill levels off before taking you up again.

A few dirt trail running through the grass, with an orange fern covered hill ahead, and a stone wall on the right.

This is where things became really muddy and boggy. Yesterday it was a full day of rain sheets, so the ground was nice and prepped for my arrival. If you are nimble on your feet, you can hop around on the little rocks to try and avoid the wet bits.

A muddy wet path of ground, leading to a hill ahead. There is a grass path surrounded by orange fern going up the hill.

I got to another section that seemed impassable. As I was figuring out how to cross it, a dog came along and pounded back and forth, splashing me, I think on purpose.

The owners then arrived and gave me a tip to cling on to the wall on the side to avoid the bog. That did the job, and made up for the dog.

Walk to the top of Walla Crag

After some more uphill, you will see a gate to your right. You can take this if you want, or continue straight. Both will lead you to the top. I stayed straight, and I think I made the right decision (I will explain in a moment).

Looking ahead to a small hill, with a stone wall to the right, with masses of woodland trees on the other side.

If you stayed straight, a little further along, there will be a stile on the right. Go over it, and walk a short way up more rocks to reach the top of Walla Crag.

A dirt trail leading to a wooden stile over the stone wall.

A muddy wet path leading up the final small hill to reach the top of Walla Crag.

Walking across the rocky hilltop of Walla Crag, with a few to some fell peaks on in the distance. There are a few other people walking along the top.

It’s all rock up here, with some of the best views I have seen for a while. I took this moment to have my snack break and take it all in.

I could see the trail for the alternate route through the gate from earlier. It looked exceptionally boggy and wet. I patted myself on the back for making the right call on this one.

Walk down off Walla Crag

Follow the trail down off Walla Crag, and walk towards the wall to reach a stile. If you have a dog that can’t do stiles, then you could walk back to the gate, and continue the walk from there.

Looking down the hill to a ground covered in orange plants, and woodland trees to the right. There are various big hills ahead in the distance.

The dirt path leading to a wooden stile through a stone wall, will many fell peaks in the distance.

Over the stile, you will see a few trails in the distance. You see the big one over the hill straight ahead. That’s the one you are taking…

A grass trail to the right, and some trails just about visible ahead in the distance leading up and around the hill.

Just kidding.

You will be heading to the one to the right of it, that takes you around the side of the hill.

Option to shorten the Walla Crag Walk

Now, if you want to head back to the car park at this point, take the right trail over the stile. This will lead you down and around, back to the car park. There are still some great bits to come in the walk though, so if you have it in you, I would recommend continuing.

Walk around the side of the hill

Over the stile, head straight (towards the big hill ahead). This next bit can also get quite boggy and wet.

A boggy wet patch of ground, will peaks in the distance.

When you reach a trail split, take the one to the right, rather than the one that leads you up the big hill. The trail is fairly level, as you walk around the side of the hill. There will be more rocky bits and a stream crossing.

A dirt trail leading around the side of the hill.The hill top is covered in orange fern, and there is a big fell and ridge ahead in the distance. There is a person walking on the trail ahead.

A wet area of ground leading to a grass trail.

Some way along you will get some more lovely views of Derwentwater. I particularly liked the way the little islands were looking from here.

A wet trail leading across thew hillside.

Looking down through a gap in the hills, down to the blue coloured Derwentwater on the Walla Crag circular walk. There are some small islands in the lake and mountain peaks in the distance.

A few dirt trail running through the overgrown grass on the hill top, with numerous fell peaks ahead in the distance.

Walk downhill some more

After turning the main corner, the trail will become steeper as you continue to make your way down. This is the steepest downhill of the walk off Walla Crag

A gravel dirt trail leading downhill on the Walla Crag circular walk. There are woodland trees down on the bottom to the right., with a small bit of the lake visible past them.

A few people walking down the rocky trail along the Walla Crag circular walk. The trail leads down to a mass of woodland trees, with a view to numerous fell peaks in the distance.

The view down the hill, and to the hills and fells ahead is stunning. I was filled with warm happy feelings as I saw it.

Ashness Bridge

At the second gate on the walk down, you will have a decision to make. Do what I did, or do something else. I recommend something else….

A rocky dirt trail leading down to a stone wall, with an orange filled field on the other side. There are a couple of people walking through a gate in the wall. — The first gate

A wooden gate in the wire fence, with woodland and orange fern on the other side. — The second gate

I knew I wanted to include a walk over Ashness Bridge after Walla Crag. We had driven over it, and the quaint cuteness needs to be seen. The thing is, on my map, there were two Ashness Bridges marked. I didn’t know which one it was, so I picked the further away one, then if that wasn’t it, the real one would be on the walk back anyway. As you have probably gathered, I picked the wrong one.

So, at this gate, don’t go through it. Turn right instead, and this trail should lead you to the road and bridge (through another gate I think). I will meet you there soon…

My detour

My little detour took me through a farm. It was very different from the rest of the Walla Crag walk, and I felt a little like I was in a place I shouldn’t be. One field I entered was very large and seemingly empty which creeped me out a little. I had this feeling there must be some kind of livestock in here, but couldn’t see it. That’s what worried me. I didn’t know what was here, lurking.

I then got a fright when I suddenly saw what I thought was big dogs. They turned out to be sheep that looked like dogs.

I continued on and found the rest of the sheep at my exit. The next field was a one for chicken and geese. I have never walked in a chicken and geese field before, it’s always sheep or cows, so this was knew.

After leaving the farm, and walking down the road a little, I reached what was marked as Ashness Bridge on my map. It was a bit of a letdown. I wasn’t even sure what I was looking at.

A neat road running ahead and curving right. There is a stone wall on the right side of the wall, and a field with some trees on the left. There is a fell peak visible ahead in the distance. — The road, not the bridge.

After some more road walking, I finally reached the real Ashness Bridge

A road with a stone shed on the right surround by over grown grass, part way through the Walla Crag walk. There is a big hill on the other side.

A surprise view

There is a little surprise view near here. Ollie and I first found it a year ago, and came back again yesterday for memories. Now, the views don’t compare to the ones up Walla Crag, but it’s special in that it feels like a little secret.

If you want to check it out, from Ashness Bridge, walk up the hill a little and enter the car park. On the other side, go up the hill and to the left. It’s very dirt rock, tree roots and mossy up there. Keep going up and up, until you reach a flat spot with a large opening to the view down to Derwentwater.

The final stretch of the Walla Crag Walk

To continue the walk, just past the bridge, there is a hidden trail off the road on the right. In my mind, I thought the walk was pretty much over. Just one short little walk back to the car park. I was very wrong indeed. I would almost say this is the hardest bit (a different kind of hard to the steep walk up Walla Crag).

A wide road lined with orange fern and trees. There is a small hidden trail just to the right of the road. — The trail is just there (hidden) on the right

This trail is very narrow, along a mix of dirt, tree roots, rocks and rock slabs. There are some bits that were trying to be a river, and one section had a steep drop just to the side of the trail. It is mostly downhill, with the occasional short up.

A dirt trail split with a wooden trail signpost. — Go left here

Brown coloured flat rocks covered in running water.

A narrow steep dirt trail with a steep drop to the side. — Looking back

A sign saying 'footpath' with a black arrow pointing the the right dirt trail, near the end of the Walla Crag walk. — Follow the sign

Looking down across the tree tops to Derwentwater, with hills in the distance on the other side, near the end of the Walla Crag walk. There is a small island in the water.

A rocky dirt trail surround by bushes and ferns.

Someway further along the trail, there is a steeper, slightly longer up, walking with a stone wall to your left.

You then cross over a bridge, with more water crashing over rocks below. Over the bridge, continue downhill, keeping to the main trail. The path now becomes easier for the last little bit back to the car park.

A wooden bridge over a stream in the woods.

A dirt trail split in the woodland. — Go straight here (not left)

More walking ideas in the Lake District National Park

If you like impressive views, then you must try the walk up the Old Man of Coniston. It’s more challenging and very rocky, but the views make it all worth it.

For something quite similar to the Walla Crag walk, you could try this one which takes you up Todd Crag. It’s located near Ambleside.

If you would like an easier walk, you could try Sweden Bridge or the Stock Gyll Force waterfall walks. Both start from Ambleside.

Do you like caves? Then you should check out Rydal Cave, which is part of the Rydal Water circular walk. It’s a relatively easy walk, on rugged terrain.

For a long walk with a bit of everything, then check out the Elterwater and Loughrigg Tarn walk. This one takes you up fells, with impressive views across there lakes. Through villages and along different types of terrain. There are easy bits, challenging bits, and everything in-between.

For more ideas of things to do in the Lake District, other than walking, then check out the Visit Lake District website.

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Walla Crag walk guide in the Lake District National Park.

Walla Crag Walk Guide – Lake District