Whin Rigg and Illgill Head walk

Walk : Whin Rigg (1,755ft) and Illgill Head (1,983ft) from Santon Bridge

Date : 27^th April 2016

Weather : Dry, variable cloud cold strong wind @ 5 °C

Distance : 7 miles round trip

Difficulty : 1 – A gradual climb from Santon Bridge – easy navigation

(1=easy 5=hard)

Which area of Lakeland is this walk situated?

Terrain Overview

A 3D visual of the walk up to Whin Rigg and Illgill Head from Santon Bridge

Walk Overview

The dramatic view of the Wast Water screes from the approach to Wasdale Head gives the impression that the walking onn

the tops of Whin Rigg and Illgill Head would be very difficult, but in fact the route from the Eskdale Green road from Santon

Bridge via Irton Park is relatively gentle and a fine route up to some breath taking views

On the right hand side of the road between Santon Bridge and Irton park there is a large area set aside for free car parking
which is the start point for the walk

On the right hand side of the road between Santon Bridge and Irton park there is a large area set aside for free car parking

which is the start point for the walk

A few yards further on is a rough track that leads through the Irton Park plantation and skirts the base of Irton Pike

Through the trees and the base of Irton Pike

A short distance along and the path splits. Take the right hand fork and follow the wall along side the boundary of
Mitterdale Forest

A short distance along and the path splits. Take the right hand fork and follow the wall along side the boundary of

Mitterdale Forest

Due to the Ash Dieback outbreak, sadly a large number of trees have had to be felled

Eventually a gate is reached that gives access to the open fell and the first objective on the route … Irton Fell

The ground is very boggy here so its best to keep by the wall where a stone track helps with progress

A gate through an intake wall leads to the summit of Irton Pike

At the summit of Irton Pike and a clear view of the path leading to Whin Rigg summit

Approaching the summit

The summit shelter cairn provides some respite from the biting cold wind

A 360 degree view from the summit

Looking up towards Wasdale Head

The summit of Whin Rigg

On the track to Illgill Head

Skirting the edge of one of the many precipitous Gill carved in the face of the Screes

Looking back along the edge to Whin Rigg

The summit of Illgill Head

A 360 degree view from summit of Illgill Head

Looking out to the Irish Sea and a large area of “weather” blowing in our way

From left to right … Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell and Great Gable

Sue and me on the summit of Illgill Head

Looking down over Wast Water

A lingering look across the Irish Sea to a distant Isle of Man before we descend