5 Lake District
Explore three fells in a superb wilderness area of Lakeland’s Far Eastern Fells.
HIGH-LEVEL WALK
DIFFICULTY MEDIUM
DISTANCE 12.5KM
TIME 4 HOURS
TOTAL ASCENT 747M
PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTS 3
Any walk which starts from Sadgill at the head of Longseddale feels remote and adventurous. Just to get to this point requires a long drive on the narrowest of lanes, and once you arrive you feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere.
The fells to the east of Longsleddale are quiet and remote, and you can often walk for hours without seeing another person. These tops are more Pennine in character than Lakeland, and make for tough walking over rough and often wet ground. But the rewards in terms of solitude and views are many.
This walk takes in three summits – Grey Crag (638m/2093ft), Tarn Crag (663m/2176ft) and Branstree (711m/2333ft). For those who like quiet fell walking, this region is superb. The feeling of ‘being away from it all’ is very strong here and the normal Lakeland crowds are absent. This is true wilderness country and confusing in poor visibility.
After Branstree the walk descends to the top of the rugged Gatesgarth Pass and here you may well encounter your first other walkers of the day as you descend back to the start amidst stunning surroundings.
1 NY483057 From the end of the lane, facing a bench, go through a gate signed ‘no bikes and do not park in front of this gate’. Follow the arrow on a sign rising on a path until it fades. Now aim for a stile in the wall above crossing a stream as you ascend. Cross a further stream to pick up a path. Follow this up towards the wall and stile. Cross the stile and continue up the fell side towards rocks. Continue climbing roughly up a shallow gully to curve right by a wall and post. Follow the path by the wall to cross a stile left. Continue up the path. Higher up the path curves right by a fence – continue to cross a stile in a fence corner. Continue to rise through rock outcrops. Fo
