Downloads: GPX File | KML File | Google Maps File | OS Online route

About High Rigg | Parking Location  |  OS Map  |  Current Weather

Having a few hours to kill in the area of Derwent Water, we decided to pack in the peak chasing for a day and go on a nice hopeless wander. We found a nice route to a small looking tarn on one of our maps so decided this would be just long enough. 

From our opportunistic parking place, we made a short jaunt (around 100 metres) along the A591 to a beautiful wooden ladder stile. Following this path into the woodland, we made a left turn and began an ascent, this path didn’t just go up, it was a unique roller coaster of peaks and troughs as we made our way through trees, then ferns and back into trees again. There were plenty of times we would walk under a copse of trees to stop and admire the grassy moss and flora growing in dappled shade. It formed a stark contrast to the rocks and heather of what was before and after it. The fluctuating altitude truly matched the undulating surroundings of rock, bracken, fern and woodland.

The path is very well laid out but weaves its way around (sometimes over!) fallen trees to Wren Crag. This was where I became glad to have on my sturdier boots as we navigated the ups and downs of the rocky path, lined with bilberry, beyond. At some points, a few steep sections with looser rocks and stones required a bit more concentration, but these were few and of little consequence, not having much height to them. 

Having thoroughly enjoyed walking over the waves of the hill, we ducked down into green. Then, over another style, we found our way onto grassland. Following a fence right, the ground started to soften under foot and we soon arrived at the marshy tarn. Beautiful aquatic plants sprung out of its surface. Relatively protected from the wind, this would be a nice place for lunch.

Looking on Viewranger, we saw there was a Wainwright (High Rigg) close but decided against it as we were short on time. We later came back and reached this summit, and were especially glad we had not tried on this occasion as it was farther away than we originally thought, assuming the view of the peak from the tarn was a Wainwright, this one is actually a Birkett and the hidden peak behind is Wainwrights. 

Out of character for us, we went back to way we came and enjoyed the return journey no less. If you want something untaxing and have a couple of hours to kill, I would highly recommend this walk!