Rosthwaite to Grasmere (High Route)

*** To help you follow this section with confidence we have provided full written turn by turns to aid you on your walk from Rosthwaite to Grasmere (High Route) today. The High route can become featureless and tricky to navigate so we strongly suggest that you always follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day.  The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***

0.00km – Start at the Village Hall and Car Park. Facing the car park TURN RIGHT to pass the toilets on your left. After 85 metres TURN LEFT to walk along the road towards the bus stops.

0.12km – TURN RIGHT down the public bridleway between the bus stops towards a stone bridge. This bridleway is signposted towards Stonethwaite. Immediately after crossing the bridge TURN RIGHT onto the stone path running parallel to the river.

0.75km – BEAR LEFT as the path makes a left turn to pass through a gate and to keep the moss-covered wall on your right. After 500 metres CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON through another gate so the river is again on your right.

1.50km – At the wooden signpost CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON towards Grasmere, ignoring the path to your right heading towards Stonethwaite. After 300 metres the path forks again; BEAR RIGHT going downhill on the established stony path, ignoring the yellow arrow.

2.50km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON past the ruins of two stone buildings.

3.00km – As the path forks, BEAR LEFT away from the bridge that crosses a stream. This is the start of the climb up to Lining Crag.

3.40km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON using the stepping stones to cross several streams. Take caution as these rocks may be slippery.

4.00km – There is a waterfall to your right and impressive views behind you, looking back down through the valley. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON along the path which is easy to follow, and walking parallel to the stream on your right.

4.70km – As the path plateaus in a grassy clearing with several large rocks, BEAR LEFT onto the stony path, and head for the steps that climb to the left of the rocky cliffs.

5.10km – The climb is rocky in places. Take your time and remember that rocks may be slippery when wet.

5.40km – Congratulations! You have reached the top of Lining Crag. There are great views from here looking back down the way you climbed. From Lining Crag BEAR LEFT onto the wide grassy path between the heather. After 30 metres this will become a rocky path.

5.80km – The path becomes vague here. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON the trodden grassy track, using the regular cairns (pile of stones) as a guide. If visibility is bad, keep searching for the cairns and check the map regularly. You should pass several rocky outcrops on your left, and none on your right.

6.10km – At the vague grassy crossroads beside a fence post, CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON to begin heading downhill. After 50 metres you will pick up the gravel path.

7.00km – As you reach the river, CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON, using the stepping stones to cross the stream on the bend. Once across, walk keeping the stream on your right, and after 100 metres cross the stream again, and after 20 metres you cross the same stream a third time as it makes a large S-bend. Then CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON the grassy slope heading uphill towards the saddle (the low-point between two mountain peaks).

7.30km – As you reach the saddle between two metal fence posts a metre apart you will see a crossroads. This is where you turn off for the high route; TURN LEFT onto the stony path that curves uphill to pass the grassy hump on your left. If your legs have had enough for today you can opt to switch to the Low route and continue on, on the path instead - ensuring that you also switch to the Low route on the Macs App for the remainder of today's walk.

8.10km – From the top of Calf Crag you have great views down the valley towards Grasmere. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON. The path walks along this ridgeline and though it is grassy in places, it is generally easy to follow. In poor visibility check the map regularly.

9.70km – BEAR LEFT as the path forks to remain on the stony path, ignoring the grassy right fork. After 50 metres BEAR RIGHT across the grassy area to continue heading uphill.

10.90km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON along the footpath heading uphill towards Helm Crag. Ignore the grassy path on your right.

11.40km – As the path forks just below a rocky outcrop, BEAR RIGHT to head downhill and remain on the stony path.

11.70km – BEAR RIGHT as the path forks into two grassy tracks near a wide cairn. You will pass a cairn on your left after 100 metres and then the path will snake its way downhill.

12.50km – As you reach a dry-wall TURN RIGHT to descend on steps between trees, keeping the drywall on your left. After 100 metres TURN RIGHT at the stony track T-junction with a dry-wall ahead, then after 50 metres TURN LEFT onto the path with dry-wall on both sides.

12.80km – At the junction TURN LEFT to head towards a wooden gate. Once through the wooden gate, immediately TURN LEFT through a metal footpath gate and up some stone steps, passing a tree stump with a carved bird on your left.

12.90km – As the path forks BEAR RIGHT following the sign to Langrigg and passing a pond on your right.

13.20km – Shortly after passing the children’s play park BEAR RIGHT to head away from the hotel. After 100 metres, immediately after passing a gap in the drywall, TURN LEFT.

13.40km – As you reach the gravel crossroads CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON passing the Langrigg Hotel entrance on your left. After 200 metres TURN RIGHT to walk on the paved lane. Stay alert for vehicles.

13.90km – TURN LEFT at the T-junction. This road will take you into Grasmere. Walk on the right-hand side facing the oncoming traffic. After 100 metres there is an opportunity to BEAR RIGHT to walk on a footpath that runs parallel to the road. After 300 metres BEAR LEFT back onto the road.

14.60km – Finish in Grasmere on the Village Green. Enjoy wandering the busy streets of the village, which Wordsworth once called ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’. 

*** This is the end of our Rosthwaite to Grasmere (High) route, use your included documentation to find your overnight accommodation - for those doing one of our shorter walking itineraries you are likely to be walking onward to overnight in Patterdale/Glenridding - please move onto the next route in the Macs App which is Grasmere to Patterdale/Glenridding ***