Whin Rigg (535m), Illgill Head (609m) and a circuit of Wast Water - 05/09/2022
Distance: 16km; Ascent 680m; Time 5h
We parked on the shore of Wast Water and walked SW around the shore of the lake to cross the RIver Irt at Lund Bridge. After a short distance a path leaves the low level lake circuit to ascend steeply east of Greathall Gill - offering great views of Wast Water, the surrounding hills and out to the coast around Sellafield power station. Once on the summit plateau the going is fairly east across Whin Rigg and on to Illgill Head. The latter has 3 summit cairns - so make sure you get to the true top at 609m. The descent towards Wasdale Head is fairly straightforward - and a pint at the inn may have been welcome but we opted to avoid the extra 2km involved and crossed on the footpath by the parking area for Scafell Pike. The return from here is 3.5km along the road.
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