So on Theo's birthday his wish was to go to the Lake District. Obviously on a bank holiday weekend the spaces at hotels were at a premium but we managed to get a room at the Keswick Country House Hotel. This had sent us up to the North of the Lake District and so the walks were all going to be based within reach of Keswick.
After driving up on the Saturday morning we were greeted by a reasonably sunny day and so went straight to the National Trust parking area at the side of Derwent Water, at the base of Walla Crag.
Given the whole family was up for the weekend I decided to aim for the fells in the lower end of climbing and Walla Crag, at 1240 feet, seemed a reasonable one to go for.
Setting off through the car park you soon hear the sound of Cat Ghyll and there is a sign just before it stating Walla Crag (steep). That's the way I picked!
Cat Ghyll from the bridge - don't cross it if you want the steep way up!
It is steep but it's not quite as bad as you might imagine. As always with these fells, plod a little and you still get to the top. There isn't a prize for getting up there quickly!
It is set out as a bit of a stairway in places but you climb pretty much alongside the sounds of the ghyll so you know you're going in the right direction.
After the initial climb (and staircase) you come to the fell proper as I would call it and the ferns spread out around you for a pleasant walk even though you're still climbing.
Once you're through this bit the path opens up a little wider and you begin to catch a glimpse of the top. There is a stile to get over (to the left of the piccy below) but you can now see the summit!
And there you have it - Walla Crag...done.
You can see behind me that the view at the top is great. The main lake at the back is Bassenthwaite and you can just see a little of Derwent water on the left of the photo.
Now, as it was Theo's birthday we had a quick chorus of Happy Birthday to You followed by butties and Monster Munch before I looked around and had an idea.
Move on to Bleaberry Fell to find out more!