The heart of the Lakes - High Seat and Ullscarf
A moderate walk (mountain (above 600m)) in national park Lake District starting and finishing in Cumbria, England, about 20.80km (12.92 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 8:15h (1 overnight stay). It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
745m (2444ft)
Descent
754m (2473ft)
Max. Elevation
720m (2362ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
1499m (4917ft)
Start
Keswick
End
Grasmere
Distance
20.80km
(12.92mi)
(12.92mi)
Duration
~8:15h
Difficulty
Moderate
This route heads right through the heart of the Lakes. Starting from Keswick, you climb onto a ridge running north to south across many of the Central Fells - Bleaberry Fell, High Seat and Ullscarf. You then drop down into Grasmere (which has regular buses to Keswick). The route is ideal for peak-spotters - you traipse past the 'back' of the Hellvellyn group (i.e. the side no one ever goes up) and several of the Western Fells are also visible on clear days. Beware - it gets boggy on top.
Walk Functions
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid NY263235
From Keswick bus station, head through the town centre. At the end of the high street, walk along Ambleside Road until the bridleway heading to Castlerigg. For a shorter walk in summer, take a bus from Keswick to Derwent Water YHA. From here, take the steep path via Ashness Gill to High Seat.
OS Grid NY283221
The walk proper starts in Castlerigg. head through the village to the end of the road, and take the footpath heading on to Castlerigg Fell.
About 2.42 km (~1.5 miles) from 
OS Grid NY286195
First high point of the day is Bleaberry Fell (590m). From here, a path runs right along the high ground to Ullscarf 8km to the south.
About 2.57 km (~1.6 miles) from 
OS Grid NY287179
Next stop is the rocky summit of High Seat (608m). The path from the youth hostel approach also meets the main path here. It's heathery, boggy and glorious. Time to test how waterproof those boots are ...
About 1.62 km (~1.01 miles) from 
OS Grid NY288164
A wire fence provides a useful guide across the ground towards High Tove. The path disappears amid the murk at times, but head south and you'll be on track.
About 1.50 km (~0.93 miles) from 
OS Grid NY288142
The land dries out a little as you descend towards Blea Tarn. There's a big path running across your route, the bridleway from Rosthwaite over to Thirlmere. Cross it and start ascending up Ullscarf. Head for the outcrops labelled as Low Saddle and High Saddle on OS maps.
About 2.19 km (~1.36 miles) from 
OS Grid NY291121
The high point of the day at 726m. For a summit so central, it sees relatively little walking traffic. Cross the fence (there is a stile where the fence turns a corner just beyond the summit) and head towards High Raise.
About 2.11 km (~1.31 miles) from 
OS Grid NY285104
Drop from Ullscarf down towards Grasmere Common. The easiest way is to head for the bridleway between Ullscarf and High Raise; with a bit of easy down-climbing, you can also cut down earlier, just beyond Greenhow Crags on the south-facing slope of Middle How.
About 1.84 km (~1.14 miles) from 
OS Grid NY296099
Pick up the bridelway running across the common, which drops you into Far Easedale. You'll also need to switch maps to Lake District South East (OS007), although the path to Grasmere is pretty clear.
About 1.31 km (~0.81 miles) from 
OS Grid NY322088
Follow the track past the farms and beneath Helm Crag. Nearly there ...
About 2.81 km (~1.75 miles) from 
GrasmereOS Grid NY336076
Finish up in Grasmere, where there are cafes galore, plus a small supermarket and pubs. Buses back to Keswick leave from opposite the Post Office, near the church.
About 1.87 km (~1.16 miles) from 
