Route 14 – Wallowbarrow Crag and Grassguards

Parking area opposite the Holy Trinity Church at Seathwaite

The small hamlet of Seathwaite from near Tarn Beck

After passing the church a stone stile opposite leads into a field. Here, a small footbridge over Tarn Beck leads us into Hollin House Wood.

Old iron sluice gates at Tarn Beck

Bluebells on the edge of Hollin House Wood

Caw over the small hamlet of Seathwaite

Bluebells in Hollin House Wood

We now enter the deeper part of Hollin House Wood, where the bluebells dominate the floor.

Memorial Bridge over the River Duddon

It’s so tempting to cross this fantastic footbridge, which leads into Wallowbarrow Wood, however, we divert left towards the stepping stones over the River Duddon; we shall cross the footbridge on our return journey.

Stepping stones over the River Duddon

Frankie is taking a more adventurous route!

Wallowbarrow Crag from High Wallowbarrow

We are not in Wallowbarrow Wood for long and soon arrive onto open farmland. The impressive cliffs of Wallowbarrow Crag tower over us, which are very popular for climbers, and peregrine falcons!

Approaching High Wallowbarrow Farm

Young Galloways at High Wallowbarrow Farm

These cattle came rushing over towards us and started bellowing out loudly, and with it still being very early, it’s a wonder they didn’t wake the whole valley.

Wallowbarrow Crag from the approach to Rake Gill

After walking through the farmyard we now head for Rake Gill, which winds its way up the western flank of Wallowbarrow Crag.

Looking back to Caw, Fox Haw and Stickle Pike over High Wallowbarrow Farm

Ascending through Rake Gill

Looking back to Caw from Rake Gill

Passing Low Stonythwaite

Once we reached the top of Rake Gill, interest lies over this wall to our left. This building at Low Stonythwaite, which I presume is someone’s home, is in such a picturesque location.

Hollin How over Low Stonythwaite

Looking back at The Pen (right) over Low Stonythwaite

I couldn’t resist looking back at the property as we walk along the only lane (bridleway) that leads to it. Even though the lane is great to walk on, I don’t think the average family car would find it too easy.

Ascending Wallowbarrow Crag

When the lane reaches the north flank of Wallowbarrow Crag, we leave it and follow an indistinct path to climb towards the summit. A natural groove provides an easier ascent over the rock and heather.

Approaching the summit plateau

After a few false summits, the true summit rock appears in view.

Duddon Valley from the summit of Wallowbarrow Crag

What a view! You may have noticed by now that I am naming the valley “Duddon Valley”, and not “Dunnerdale” like it is named on the OS map. There is much confusion, especially with Hall Dunnerdale on the valley floor and on the bank of the River Duddon, however, I believe Alfred Wainwright got it spot on:

“Dunnerdale, to most Lakeland visitors, is the valley of the River Duddon, this being the name of the parish, but the true Dunnerdale is, geographically, a side-valley of the River Lickle two miles in length and watered by Dunnerdale Beck, quite independent of the Duddon.” Stickle Pike 126, The Outlying Fells of Lakeland
AW

Harter Fell (left) and Grey Friar (right) from the summit of Wallowbarrow Crag

Looking down to Rake Gill (left) and Low Stonythwaite (right)

We sat here for a while eating our lunch and with our feet dangling over the edge, and wondering what it would be like to live there? Could you be that isolated?

Descending back to the old bridleway from Wallowbarrow Crag

Seeing the old bridleway snaking off into the distance, it suddenly got me wondering how long it is? I got the map out and I was stunned to realise it is about 3 miles long. Starting from Birks Bridge and finishing at Low Stonythwaite, it must be the longest driveway in the Lake District!

Approaching Grassguards Native Woodland

Grassguards Native Woodland is part of a restoration project to link Hardknott Forest with the existing Dunnerdale Woodlands, which are a group of ancient oak woodlands that are scattered along the valley and all the way to the coast. After consultation with local people and organisations, the Forestry Commission has decided to restore the entire Hardknott Plantation in the upper reaches of the valley, into native habitats of oak and birch woodland, bogs and open ground. This project represents an exciting and historic opportunity to create the largest semi-natural woodland in the Lake District.

Walking through Grassguards Native Woodland

Some areas are regenerating naturally with holly, willow, birch and rowan, while other areas remain as crag and bog; all of which support rare mammals such as dormice and red squirrels, and birds that include great spotted woodpeckers, jays, bullfinches, redstarts and pied flycatchers. Education will play an important part in the project, and local school children will help plant native trees of oak, birch and juniper. The whole project is expected to take 60 to 70 years to complete.

Retaining wall under the old bridleway

Looking back towards Caw

Harter Fell from the old bridleway

We now leave the native woodland and continue along the bridleway to the small hamlet of Grassguards.

Approaching Grassguards

The ford over Grassguards Gill

We now leave the bridleway, which continues its journey through Hardknott Forest to Birks Bridge, and turn right and follow a path down Grassguards Gill; this path can be easily missed!

The path along Grassguards Beck

Beech trees below Fickle Crag

While passing through the wonderful beech trees below Fickle Crag, check out the wood ants that dominate the forest floor.

Beech trees in Hardknott Forest

Arriving at the River Duddon

We now arrive back at the River Duddon, which we will follow through Wallowbarrow Gorge and then back to the Memorial Bridge.

Entering Wallowbarrow Gorge

Arriving at the eastern edge of Grassguards Native Woodland

After a short walk along the river we arrive at the eastern edge of Grassguards Native Woodland. From here, a traverse path surprisingly rises above the upper level of the gorge and follows the line of the deer fence.

Looking down into Wallowbarrow Gorge

At the highest point of the traverse path Jaclyn checks out the steep drop on our left into the gorge; please be careful with roaming children or dogs!

Descending to the River Duddon

We now descend sharply back down into the gorge to meet the River Duddon again. This is the lower level, and the more interesting part of Wallowbarrow Gorge.

The River Duddon from the traverse path

The eastern escarpment of Wallowbarrow Crag

Even though a popular climbing area, there are restrictions at certain times of the year due to nesting peregrine falcons, mainly between 1st March and 30th June.

Large boulders in the River Duddon

There must have been a right thud when these boulders came crashing down! It is however, a lovely place for lunch and to dip your feet; or more if you wish!

The Memorial Bridge over the River Duddon

Sadly I couldn’t find any information regarding this footbridge, however, there is an inscription that reads:

“Built by W. Grisenthwaite for A.F. & R.A.F. 1934”

Bluebells in Hollin House Wood

The River Duddon from Hollin House Wood

Footbridge over Tarn Beck

Property on the Duddon Valley Road

Wallowbarrow Crag from the Duddon Valley Road near Seathwaite

Walking along the Duddon Valley Road

Holy Trinity Church at Seathwaite

Wonderful Walker’s Clipping Stone

The Duddon Valley was Wordsworth’s favourite valley, which inspired his River Duddon Sonnets (1820) and The Excursion (1814). They were partly about an 18th century parson, the Rev. Robert Walker, also known as “Wonderful Walker”. He was a very practical man, and as well as being the local headmaster, and famous for sitting on his own special ‘shearing stone’ as he clipped sheep at Gateskell Farm nearby (now in ruin), he was also known for making clothes, spinning, brewing ale, knitting and wood working. Now a sundial, the stone lies by the entrance of the church.

Thank you for visiting.
Richard Jennings

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