walk of the month seatoller glaramara lake district hiking

From April to October, the Borrowdale Rambler bus runs between Keswick and Seatoller, opening up a whole host of walks in the towering western fells. This route, over Rosthwaite Fell to Glaramara, ranks as one of the finest. From the village, it’s a sharp climb up via Combe Gill, before a couple of wonderful hours up high and a simple descent to Seathwaite and back out. There’s so much to do around Seatoller that you should really make at least a weekend of it.

Loop or linear? Loop
Maps: OL4 - The English Lakes
NW area
Total distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Total height gain: 640m (2,100ft)
Tim: Approx 4 hours
Start & Finish: Seatoller
Unsuitable for: young children, prams and
pushchairs, wheelchairs
Public Transport Borrowdale Rambler bus

THE ROUTE

1. Seatoller, OS Grid NY245137
From the village, head along the road towards the river. About 200m beyond the bridge, a footpath heads southeast towards High Buck How.

2. Tarn at Leaves, OS Grid NY258121
About 2.08 km (1.3 miles) from 1

The path heads up to Tarn at Leaves, a marvellous little spot with great views north down the valley.

3. Rosthwaite Fell, OS Grid NY255112
About 0.9 km (0.57 miles) from 2

Head over the high ground of Rosthwaite Fell, aiming for the narrow, tarn-dotted gap between Woof Gill and Combe Gill.

4. Glaramara summit, OS Grid NY246104
About 1.20 km (0.75 miles) from 3

The high point of the day is Glaramara, 783m and a popular peak. The best view is looking west over Seathwaite Fell to Great Gable.

5. Thornythwaite Fell, OS Grid NY245119
About 1.50 km (0.93 miles) from 4

Take the obvious path heading almost north. There is a steep path down Hind Gill if the weather’s bad; if the views are good, follow the brow of Thornythwaite Fell.

6. Strands Bridge, OS Grid NY250136
About 1.74 km (1.08 miles) from 5

The path drops out at the bridge just outside Seatoller. There is a pub and cafe in the village, or there’s Rosthwaite just down the road, for post-walk treats.