A Borrowdale Circuit - Bessyboot, Glaramara and Allen Crags.
Both Wainwright and Heaton Cooper suggest that walkers might see the ridge from Bessyboot to Allen Crags as an extension of the Sca Fell range. When walking them from Borrowdale it is easy to see why: as you gradually make your way along the grassy ridge, Great End, Scafell Pike and Ill Crag come into view directly ahead, towering over Styhead and Sprinkling Tarns.
Whilst this route descends back into Borrowdale, completing the circuit, the area of Esk Hause is the meeting point of multiple Lakeland passes and descents into Langdale, Langstrath and Wasdale are all brilliant walks.
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Key Details:
Wainwrights: 3 - Bessyboot, Glaramara, Allen Crags. Seathwaite Fell an optional extra.
Distance: 11.0m/17.7km.
Elevation gain: 2995ft/915m.
Terrain: Sheep tracks, Open access land and rocky path. Some ability to ‘read’ the land and navigate required between Bessyboot and Glaramara.
Start/Finish: Borrowdale and Seatoller bus stops.
Public Transport:
78 bus service: all year round-Keswick to Seatoller,
77/77a bus service: additional services from April to November, in a circle from Keswick to Buttermere.
Route notes:
1. Start: From the bus stop in Borrowdale, continue East along the B-road.
2. 0.2 miles: Go through the gate on the left, and cross the field. Follow the drystone wall on the South-Western boundary.
3. 0.4 miles: Cross through two more gates (follow the helpful sign left by a farmer reading ‘footpath’) and leave the fields to follow the rocky path.
4. 1.1 miles: After crossing through a gate, the path forks into two. Keep left heading directly up the fell. Do not take the fork that crosses the stream.
Fleetwith Pike from the ascent to Bessyboot.
Tarn at Leaves from Bessyboot.
5. 1.3 miles: The footpath will start to deteriorate into sheep tracks and then grassy slopes. Do not worry! Keep heading uphill until reaching a grassy plateau in which sits Tarn at Leaves. Bessyboot is a simple ‘there-and-back’ from here.
6. 1.7 miles: After bagging Bessyboot, head south following sheep tracks over Rosthwaite Cam. These paths will weave and disappear, so either follow GPS or take compass bearings South until reaching the bottom of Combe Head.
7. 3.0 miles: At the bottom of Combe Head is a clearly visible gulley called Combe Door. At the top of Combe Door turn right, round the back of Combe Head and rejoin the stone track to Glaramara
Un-named tarn at Combe Door
8. 3.5 miles: at the foot of Glaramara there is a short scramble. To avoid this, walk to the right of the outcrop, gradually ascending to the summit. From the summit head South on the now clearer paths, up-and-down for 2 miles.
9. 5.4 miles: At Esk Hause, turn right and stay on the path until reaching Sprinkling Tarn. (From here it is possible to divert to Sprinkling Crag Tarn and Seathwaite Fell, before returning.) Continue onwards, descending until reaching the Stretcher Box overlooking Styhead Tarn.
10. 7.3 miles: At the Stretcher Box turn right. After 0.5 miles cross the bridge and keep descending on this path down to Stockley Bridge.
Crossing Styhead Gill
11. 8.9 miles: Cross Stockley Bridge, stay on this track and pass through Seathwaite Farm before rejoining the tarmac road. Continue on the road for 1 mile until reaching Seatoller.
12. When reaching the B-road, turn left and walk 100 yards to reach the bus stop.