From the campsite I can see a fair chunk of today’s walk from the van window. A short climb up through trees to a undulating ridge that eventually leads on to the summit of High Rigg. Stopping at High Bridge End gives me the rare treat of being able to walk from the campsite two days running and saves the hassle of packing the van up before setting off. In fact the Central Fells, being quite compact means I’m going to be able to do this often whilst working my way through book three. Life’s simple pleasures, or alternatively, simple things please simple minds, take your pick.
After crossing the busy A591 a finger post to ‘St John’s in the Vale Church’ points the way over a stile and almost immediately the path heads uphill through the trees that dot the southern slopes of the ridge. As height is gained I look back to a slowly emerging Thirlmere and the round mound of Great How, one of many ‘non Wainwright’s’.
Across the valley, Castle Rock is the prominent feature. On Harvey maps it is called Castle Rock of Triermain after a rather epic poem written by Sir Walter Scott, Bridal of Triermain, which is set in St John’s in the Vale. You can read all about it if you like on the excellent and informative Lakeland Tales site here.
After an initial climb up, the ridge evens out at Wren Crag and then becomes an undulating path winding its way along the ridge line between tussocks of grass and heather.
A wall is joined and followed to an unnamed tarn. Just after the tarn there is some boggy ground before another stile is crossed and I then follow another wall practically all the way to the summit.
The wind has got up and although the sun is out there is a slight chill so after my summit routine I huddle down out of the wind whilst admiring the views north to Skiddaw and Blencathra.
The long steady ascent along the ridge to reach the summit is in contrast to the short sharp drop off it. Heading north the path drops steeply for about seven hundred metres towards St John’s in the Vale Church, which remains hidden from sight by a grove of trees surrounding it. More great views of Skiddaw straight ahead.
Today’s walk is a walk of two halves and St John’s Church provides the perfect half time break, a place for some quiet contemplation in peaceful surroundings.
It also provides proper seating, inside or out depending on your preference which is a rarity on a hill walk where the avoidance of sheep droppings or getting a rock sticking in my derrière is generally the main goal. ‘They don’t like it up em’ as Corporal Jones would say.
If the first half was mountain the second is most definitely valley and the return journey follows the route of St John’s Beck as it winds it way along the lovely pastoral and peaceful St John’s in the Vale. Leaving the church there is a bit more more descent before the valley path settles into a rhythm skirting the edge of the high ground, not quite on the valley floor heading south following the intake wall.
Once again there are good views of Blencathra to be had and across the sheep speckled valley, Wanthwaite Crags rises up, it’s vertical dark grey and lifeless cliffs contrasting with the flat lush green and verdant valley floor below it.
Low Bridge End Farm is passed which has a sign for refreshments and a little further on, the path meets up with the tinkling St John’s Beck for a short while before a small climb up and over the southern end of the ridge takes me back to my start.
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Love the stone walls and troubled skies……….
Thank you Patricia, yes, dry stone walls are found in abundance in the Lakes, they’re everywhere, a lasting testimony to the men (almost certainly men) who built them
Lakes and greenery – all made by plenty of rain! Looks good though!
Cheers Dave, yes it was a good walk, full of contrast
It’s a fine little walk that Jim – the Lake District in minature!
Thanks Mike, yes very enjoyable, I didn’t have time for a stop at the farm cafe but its nice knowing it’s there if done again
What a fine walk. Your photos are always so fantastic, I think my camera is broken :/
Thank you Ruth, oh dear! You were taking some interesting macro pics. I use my phone (lazy iphoneitus!) but do have a good compact lumix so always try to get some with that as well and have a fiddle with them
I’m tempted to get one. And your iPhone must be a lot better than mine 😀
Such a fantastic walk Jim! I love the stunning views across the pasture fields – High Rigg is another of those small mountains that give great views for limited effort Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thank you Aiva! Yes great views for little effort is always a good selling point! 😀
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One of our favourite walks too, though I rather like the old name of Naddle Fell. Worth seeking out J M Denwood’s novel Red Ike which begins there.
Thanks John, yes AW mentions its old name, so much history in these hills. I’ll check out that novel, thank you
Looks like a fantastic walk with a church AND a tea shop! Apart from a pub at the very end it doesn’t get much better than that! 😊👍👍
I suppose with a bit more walking you could reach the Kings Head! 😀
That looks a lovely walk , especially with the little church to rest at. I think I have this walk on a book called walks up ten low fells in the lakes.
Yes it’s a good one, and a tea shop for refreshments!
Its been about 10-12 years since I was on this one. Its a lovely fell for an evening walk and as you say the valley return is almost as good as the walk along its ridge. Also fun if the jets are screaming through Thirlmere!! I seem to remember the large rock which fell off Castle Rock a few years ago now, it was always out of bounds to climbers due to the precarious nature of the cracked rock
Yes I read about the rock fall, 2018 I think. Didn’t see or hear any jets when I was there the other week but they are an impressive sight, especially when they are below you!
A nice bit of variety to the walk, Jim, and my eyes lit up at the Tea Garden sign.
I didn’t pay it a visit Jo but nice to know it’s there for next time!
A fine walk. Thanks for describing it and photographing it so well.
Thanks Neil 😀
Great walk. It is not a area I know a lot. I only did one walk around St John in the valley.
Thank you Mélodie, it’s a lovely area, and not far from Keswick
Fabulous photos… and I don’t know why, but I’ve always LOVED the word ‘fingerpost’… we don’t really call them that in Australia that I know of, but I just love the idea of it! Linda xox
Thank you Linda, yes it’s a strange word probably suited better for older more pointy and finger like signs you see at crossroads but it’s used for pretty much any sign over here. Check out #fingerpostfriday on Twitter!
Oh! off I go… thanks!