Walk · Cumbria

The Wast Water shore under the Screes from Lake Head

Wasdale · CA20 1EX
N 880 YD
2.6MILES
1h 40mON FOOT
70mCLIMB
Out & backSHAPE
Off-road 100% 0% shares tarmac with cars
Field & moor path 75%Lane & track 25%

Our drawing of the route — the shape of the walk, not a navigation aid. Carry OS Explorer on the hill. Off-lead information here is what walkers reported or what signage allows — never our advice. Whether and when a dog is off the lead is the owner’s decision and legal responsibility; keep dogs under control near livestock and follow signs on the day.

Starts at
Lake Head car park, National Trust, grid ref NY182075, at the head of Wast Water CA20 1EX
Parking
National Trust pay and display, the largest in the valley, with toilets and a welcome centre that lends maps, compasses and whistles free of charge. 7 pounds up to 2 hours, 8.50 up to 4 hours, 10 poun
Directions to the start →

Two and a half miles there and back from the National Trust car park at Lake Head, down past Wasdale Head Hall Farm to the shingle at the head of England’s deepest lake and then south-west along the shore path under the Wasdale Screes. The shingle at the head is the best swimming water in the valley for a dog, shallow and clean, with the whole 600-metre wall of the Screes rising straight out of the water opposite. The shore path gets progressively rougher and more bouldery as it goes, so turn back when it stops being fun rather than committing to the full traverse. Sheep graze the intake fields by the farm and the National Trust asks for a short lead throughout Wasdale.

THE SMALL PRINTNational Trust Wasdale guidance: "we ask that you keep your dogs on a short lead to avoid any cases of sheep worrying". The shore path under the Screes becomes a boulder field further south-west and is hard on paws; the lake shelves steeply away from the shingle at the head.

House rules, decoded

Livestock — leads on
REGION · CUMBRIA
GRID · 54.4563, -3.2633
SOURCE · HTTPS://WWW.NATIONALTRUST.ORG.UK/VISIT/LAKE-DISTRICT/WASDALE/VISITING-WASDALE-WITH-YOUR-DOG
Also in Wasdale
WAGFINDER No photo yet
1 MILE © OpenStreetMap contributors 10.6 MI · LOOP
SOME LIMITS

Illgill Head and Whin Rigg above the Wast Water screes

Wasdale · CA20 1EX
No reviews yet
10.6MILES
5:48TIME
700mCLIMB
88%OFF-ROAD
Livestock — leads on

Ten and a half miles, 700 metres of ascent and close to six hours: the Burnmoor track out of Wasdale Head, then the whole grassy crest above the screes over Illgill Head and Whin Rigg, dropping to the lake foot and returning by the road. It starts at the National Trust car park at Wasdale Head, which is free to members, holds around 40 cars and empties into one single-track road with a fourteen-mile drive out to the coast. Understand what this route is and is not - the ridge itself is broad grass and safe walking for a fit dog, but the shoreline Screes path below is a mile of unstable boulders that no dog should be taken along, and the ridge edge above the gullies is unfenced with a 400-metre drop; leads the whole crest, and no water at all between Burnmoor and the lake.

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW WALK ›
Little Ground Cottage
Stay NOT CHECKED YET

Little Ground Cottage

No reviews yet

Set in a beautiful Wasdale this semi-detached period property features a cottage and barn conversion that provides a spacious holiday home. If you love rock climbing hiking and mountain biking you ll find scenic fells screes and lofty peaks throughout this area from Kirk Fell (6 miles) and Great Gable (8 miles) to the mighty Scalfell Pike (6.5 miles). Potter around Nether Wasdale village (2.5 miles) or meet fellow walkers by a mountain backdrop at the Wasdale Head Inn (5 miles). Try wild swimming or fishing on Wastwater (2.5 miles). Explore Gosforth s Viking connections (4.5 miles) and discover dog-friendly Muncaster Castle and Gardens (10 miles). Further afield Eskdale offers spectacular walks with landmarks including the Stanley Ghyll Force waterfall. Step inside this semi-detached holiday home where thoughtfully refurbished interiors feature contemporary country-style harmonising with period features. Leave coats and boots in the porch hall and walk through to the welcoming dining room with its timber-beamed ceiling wood flooring dining furniture and welcoming sofa where you can curl up with a good book by the warmth of the wood burner set in the original fireplace surround. Cook up a storm in the well-equipped kitchen which boasts an eye-level double oven induction hob microwave dishwasher and a washing machine. Walk through the timber-framed doorway to the living room and admire the ancient oak vaults and tie-beam; this is a great place to get-together and chat or to enjoy favourite programmes and films on the Smart TV with Sky and Blu-ray player along with the comfort of underfloor heating perfect after a day of scrambling! There s ample living room seating. Stairs lead up from the living area to a mezzanine study area by a oak gallery over the living area it s a great place to relax. When night falls you ll find three stylish bedrooms: a king-size bedroom with views towards Wastwater a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room and a cosy single bedroom; plus a family bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC. Outside you ll find a south-facing enclosed lawned garden with a seated BBQ patio plus a secure shed for bike storage (note: low entrance to shed). Parking is available for three cars on the shared driveway There s a pub with food 1 mile away and a shop and a restaurant nearby (2.5 miles). Enjoy direct access to Buckbarrow Seatallen and Wastwater (2.5 miles) from the public footpath outside the cottage. Need to know: 3 bedrooms 1 king size, 1 double, 1 single. 2 bathrooms 1 family bathroom with a shower over the bath and a WC, 1 en suite shower room with a shower and a WC. Electric double oven, induction hob, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine. Wood burner (first basket of logs included). Private water supply. Smart TV with Sky basic package, and Blu ray player. A telephone is also available for incoming calls.. Towels not provided. Enclosed lawned garden with large side patio, BBQ, and secure shed for bike storage (note: low entrance to shed). Off road parking for 3 cars on shared driveway. Bike storage available in secure shed. Pub 1 mile, shop 2.5 miles. The track to the property is steep and uneven low cars should take care; or use the alternative approach via the track beyond the signed entrance. Please close farm gates on the way.. Access Nether Wasdale village can be accessed along the farm track. The surrounding fields are private. Please keep dogs on leads outside as neighbouring farms have livestock.

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WAGFINDER No photo yet
880 YD © OpenStreetMap contributors 5.7 MI · OUT & BACK
SOME LIMITS

Scafell Pike by the Brown Tongue path

Wasdale
No reviews yet
5.7MILES
5:09TIME
940mCLIMB
98%OFF-ROAD
Livestock — leads on

Five and three quarter miles there and back with 940 metres of climb, five hours or more, and the shortest way up the highest ground in England - stone-pitched to begin with, then loose scree in Hollow Stones and a summit plateau of bare boulders. It starts at the National Trust car park at the head of Wast Water by Brackenclose, paid, roughly 60 spaces and gone by eight on any summer weekend; there is no bus and the nearest fuel is twelve miles away at Gosforth. Be blunt about this one with a dog: the last 200 metres cross an angular boulder field that shreds pads and swallows legs, the summit is often in cloud with dozens of walkers milling about, and there is no water above Lingmell Beck - most dogs are better taken up Illgill Head instead.

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW WALK ›

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