| Great Wood and Walla Crag near Keswick | ||
| Coordinates |  54.583391 / -3.1250610 |
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| OS grid reference |  NY 27385 21492 |
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| what3words | /// stars.autumn.vast | |
Great Wood is a coniferous and deciduous woodland, situated on the slopes of Walla Crag along the north-eastern shore of Derwentwater, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Keswick. It is a "protected and internationally significant ancient Atlantic oak woodland"[1] where red squirrels can be found. It consists of 92.38 hectares (228.27 acres)[2] and is under the protection of the National Trust. The main B5289 Borrowdale Road runs along side the lower eastern part of the wood, providing access to the pay and display car park, also owned by the National Trust. There are approximately 45 spaces, and these can fill up quickly during peak times. Parking here is free for members, who are required to scan their membership card for a free ticket. At the time of writing, the National Trust states that each time a member scans their card, "general funds get re-directed to help look after the Borrowdale valley."[1] Non-members are required to pay for parking.
The summit of Walla Crag can be reached via two main routes from the car park, both offering a variety of landscapes and views along the way. It should be noted that the route up Cat Gill is steeper, narrows in places, and requires some scrambling to ascend. The longer, less steep route climbs steadily north-eastwards towards Castlerigg, then double-backs and continues to climb towards the plateau, and eventually the summit. A third route from Ashness Bridge, one of the most photographed packhorse bridges in the Lake District (although the once famous view is now hindered by woodland growth), also offers a steady climb to the Walla Crag summit, where an extended climb to Bleaberry Fell can be included for a much longer hike.
Great Wood and Wall Crag can be seen from many view points around Derwentwater, particularly along the western fringes, from Brandlehow and Cat Bells.
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Borrowdale and Derwent Water The National Trust. Accessed 29 January 2024.
- ↑ Derwentwater – Great Wood The Woodland Trust. Accessed 29 January 2024.