Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)
551m (1808ft)
The Southern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
The summit of Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.5ml (17km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,407ft (1,038m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Seatoller - Big Stanger Gill - Hanging Haystack Crag - Alisongrass Crag - Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) - Tarn At Leaves - Rosthwaite Cam (Rosthwaite Fell) - Dovenest Top - Combe Door Top - Combe Head - Glaramara - Looking Steads (Glaramara) - Red Beck Top - High House Tarn Top - Allen Crags - Sprinking Tarn - Seathwaite Fell (South Top) - Seathwaite Fell - Grains Gill - The Allerdale Ramble - Stockley Bridge - Seathwaite (Borrowdale) - Thornythwaite Farm - Strands Bridge - The River Derwent - Seatoller
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.5ml (17km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,384ft (1,031m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Stonethwaite - Big Stanger Gill - Hanging Haystack Crag - Alisongrass Crag - Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) - Tarn At Leaves - Rosthwaite Cam (Rosthwaite Fell) - Dovenest Top - Combe Door Top - Combe Head - Glaramara - Looking Steads (Glaramara) - Red Beck Top - High House Tarn Top - Allen Crags - Esk Hause - Allencrags Gill - Langstrath - Stonethwaite
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)
Geoff Hand walked up on September 9th, 2025 [from/via/route] Walk c139 from Seatoller, climbed Rosthwaite fell (Bessyboot), Glaramara, Red Beck top, Allen Crags & Seathwaite Fell. Returned by Seathwaite & the Annerdale Ramble. [with] Alone [weather] Bright clear sunny day, however very windy on the tops. Sunny & warm in the valley.
Victoria Bates climbed it on April 15th, 2025 [from/via/route] From stonethwaite [with] Mark, Dominic and Tabitha [weather] Cloudy - Dominic walked the whole way! Tabitha walked nearly all the way to the top via the stanger gill path
James Hughes bagged it on April 5th, 2025 [from/via/route] c139 Allen Crags & Seathwaite Fell [weather] Beautiful clear skies, blustery & cool on tops, warm in valleys & in sheltered spots. - Cold morning. Ice on tent. Walk up to Styhead Tarn rather than clambering up Seathwaite Fell. Lakeland 50 ultra race also taking place. Left Sprinkling Tarn up to Allen Crags. Glaramara down to Combe Head via Rockstep. Through Borrowdale fells Bessyboot & down. Met retired french lady who was wrong side for C2C.
John Ramsbottom hiked it on March 16th, 2025 [from/via/route] Dow Cragg, The Old Man of Coniston,Brim Fell,Swirl How, Great Carrs & Grey Friar. Start from Seatoller, Rosthwaite Fell, Glaramara, Allen Crags & Seathwaite Fell [with] Lola [weather] Fine, Odd shower, chilly wind - First one in a while. First of 2025. Felt hard
Pete George summited on April 14th, 2024 [from/via/route] from Seathwaite. With Pete Sisson [with] Roco & Pete Sisson [weather] Warm spring day
Richard Fulcher conquered it on July 8th, 2024 [from/via/route] Parked at the NT car park at Seatoller (plenty of room at 11:30 on a Monday in July!). We set off down the road towards Strands Bridge, turning right to take the public footpath around the Old Mill Cottage. We then followed the path that takes you across a rock strewn hillside, gradually climbing up by Rottenstone Gill to Tarn At Leaves. After eating our sandwiches we then completed the short hike up to the top of Bessyboot. We met a fellow walker at the top who had climbed up from Langstrath - he said he'd never attempt it again! We returned by a slightly different route through an unnamed gully before finding the 'official' path down. At the bottom of the hill we crossed over Combe Gill to follow a track back down to the road. For further variation we crossed over the road & took a footpath back to the car park. [with] Jen [weather] A fine day, cloudy with spells of sunshine, warm. - Great views all the way & especially from the top.
Christine Shepherd scaled on May 28th, 2009 [from/via/route] Walked from Borrowdale using walk c139 Climbed again with a group from Head4theHills on 16.10.21 from Stonethwaite Church Climbed for a third time on a lovely day via Big Stranger Gill on 9.08.2023 [with] On my own [weather] Very hot in the morning, clouding over & becoming very wet & misty in the afternoon.
Ian Ashton walked up on April 29th, 2023 [with] Solo 17 miler
John Tippins climbed it on October 27th, 2022 [from/via/route] From Seatoller [with] Alone [weather] Dry to start with & mild - t-shirt mild for the ascent. Started to rain mid-morning, then rained on & off all day. Very low cloud - in cloud for most of the walk. Wind quite calm. - Not an enjoyable walk, particularly the stretch from Rosthwaite to Glaramara. Confronted with many sheer rock faces that you have to find a way over. And I forgot the warning about the scree at Aaron Crags until I was part way down. It was bad. 'Not for the faint hearted' - you're not kidding.
Michael Nolan bagged it on September 20th, 2022 [with] Morag [weather] Lovely
Richard Marchant hiked it on July 13th, 2022 [from/via/route] Started out from Seathwaite up to Stockley Bridge & right then up to Greenhow Knott, from here I went straight South up through Aaron Crags on to Seathwaite Fell to Great Stack & Sprinkling Tarn then Esk Hause. From here up to Allen Crags & then ridge along to Glaramara on to Combe Head, East to Combe Door along to Rosthwaite Cam & finally Rosthwaite Fell (Bessy Boot) down to Seatoller & back along the road to Seathwaite & the car [with] On my Own [weather] Clear hot sunny day with little or no breeze.
Nick Dobson summited on August 30th, 2021 [from/via/route] Stonethwaite, ascending up via Big Stanger Gill [with] Margaret & Ralph. [weather] Warm but cloudy day with the odd occasional light rain. - We considered going on to Glaramara, but with low cloud enveloping the bigger peaks decided against it on this occasion, descending via Combe Gill round the Northern Spur of the fell & back to Stonethwaite 182 done, 32 remaining.
Paul Talbot-Greaves conquered it on July 29th, 2021 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] Paul Drury and Andy Bailey [weather] Rain most of day. High winds & low cloud with poor visibility on tops. Difficult terrain & challenging navigation. Soaked...even boots on inside.
Chris Sheard scaled on July 12th, 2021 [from/via/route] Along from Stonethwaite up Stanger Gill [with] George [weather] Very muggy, slight winds very sweaty, clagged in at top - Nice top, with impressive views when heavy mist lifted - Tarn at Leaves a good handrail
Paul Macey walked up on June 22nd, 2021 [from/via/route] Walk 139 [with] Luke [weather] Sunny
Darren Wilson climbed it on May 2nd, 2021 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite, Glaramara, Allen Crags & Seathwaite [with] With Mike [weather] Beautiful day
Richard Marshall bagged it on September 20th, 2020 [from/via/route] From Sea Toller [with] Bo [weather] Warm Sunny/Cloudy
Andy Buxton hiked it during August, 1968 [from/via/route] Rossthwaite Fell, Glaramara, Allen Crags, Seathwaite Fell [with] Dad
Christina Lander summited on October 29th, 2019 [from/via/route] Stonethwaite - Bessyboot - Tarn at Leaves - Rosthwaite Fell - Glaramara - Thorneythwaite Fell - Stonethwaite [with] Dick & Meg [weather] A clear, beautiful dry day, with plenty of sunshine
Andrew Johnson conquered it on June 5th, 2019 [from/via/route] Seatoller car park. [with] Dan and Ted [weather] Rain & wind. Cold for June.
Dave Eyes scaled on April 25th, 2019 [from/via/route] Parked at Stonethwaite. walked up stanger Gill path to the top & then across to the summit of Bessyboot - not very easy to find. we returned by the same route. [with] Christine Eyes, Jenny Eyes, Dave Kennedy [weather] Nice day - mostly dry. Cold Wind. Ended with a beer in the pub at Stonethwaite
Craig Steeland walked up on October 5th, 2018 [from/via/route] From car park in Stonethwaite village [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy, cool & dry. Smooth stones on footpath were super slippery. Treacherous walk!
Simon Boddy climbed it on October 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] Stonethwaite [with] My girlfriend [weather] Sunny with a cool breeze.
David Watson bagged it on August 28th, 2018 [from/via/route] Seatoller [weather] Sunny
Simon Myerscough hiked it on April 1st, 2007 [from/via/route] C139 [with] Martin & Bill [weather] Sunny, chilly-ish - Sunny, great views, easy scramble
Wayne Baxter summited on April 1st, 2018 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite car park, Longthwaite,mountain view, Tarn Leave Rosthwaite fell & return same path. [with] Sue, Wendy & Trevor [weather] Cloudy with snow
Louis Smith conquered it on December 28th, 2017 [from/via/route] unsure of date [weather] snow on top
Elaine Evans scaled on May 5th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Stonethwaite to Bessyboot summit via Big Stanger Gill, past Tarn at Leaves & returned via Rottenstone Gill. [with] Sue and Christine [weather] Beautiful sunny day with a cold wind on tops. - Sometimes difficult as paths seemed to disappear in places. Interesting walk with beautiful views.
Colin Egan walked up on June 5th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite via Langstrath [with] My wife Faith [weather] Wet on ascent then cleared to beautiful weather - Lovely walk into a quiet corner of the Lakes, saw sheep being herded up a valley to summer pastures
Mark Davidson climbed it on October 10th, 2005 [with] Mike [weather] Typical October Day - a bit grey
Anthony Scott bagged it on October 11th, 2016 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] me [weather] Grey cloud
Phillip Bulley hiked it on July 13th, 2016 [from/via/route] Stonewaite [with] Judith and Ruby [weather] Sunny.
Clive Ward summited on June 24th, 2016 [from/via/route] Seathwaite - Langstrath [with] Hazel, Ian, Gill [weather] Great day. Warm, mostly sunny
Charlie Housley conquered it on June 16th, 2016 [from/via/route] Started the circuit in Seathwaite then ascended Seathwaite Fell before heading up & along Esk Hause & then north over Allen Crags following the path to the summit of Glaramara. Then from there it was a bit of a minefield as which way to go to avoid a, the boggs & b, any unexpected drop off the edge of a crag! This has to be one of the most convoluted routes I've ever made on a "ridge". [with] Solo. [weather] Cloud down to approximately 900m but otherwise a pleasantly warm day where all the cloud pretty much disappeared by 14.00hrs.
David Noble scaled on August 8th, 2015 [from/via/route] Seathwaite [with] Jack [weather] Sunny
Philip Layton walked up on July 14th, 2006 [with] Karen, Karen & Steve
Chris Bramley climbed it on May 24th, 2015 [from/via/route] stonethwaite [with] Janet [weather] Sunny & dry - hard climb up stanger ghyll
Kevin Parnham bagged it on November 4th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite via Stonethwaite [with] Jo [weather] Lovely day & climbed above fog in valley - Great views across valleys full of mist
Keith Eastman hiked it on June 29th, 2014 [from/via/route] c139
Ann Davis summited on June 19th, 2014 [from/via/route] seathwaite [weather] hot hot hot - fells empty from bessyboot to glaramara
Raymond Barnett conquered it on April 2nd, 2014 [weather] hazy
Iain Taylor scaled on March 22nd, 2014 [from/via/route] Stonethwaite ( NZ 26086 13905) [weather] snowing
David Baines walked up on May 18th, 2010 [from/via/route] From Stonethwaite follow track up the Langstrath valley to scramble up Cam Crag Ridge. [with] Ian [weather] Bright, clear, warm day. - Cam Crag Ridge is a great scramble route onto the tops for this fell or Glaramara. If you are fit & a reasonable head for heights then make this scramble a must.
Doug Martin climbed it on September 18th, 2013 [from/via/route] Stonethwaite - Thornythwaite Fell - Glaramara - Rosthwaite Cam - Tarn at Leaves [with] Brampton Fellwalkers [weather] Cloud, cold & wet. Sunshine always in the next valley.
Harry Meijer bagged it on May 5th, 2013 [from/via/route] Langstrath Inn,Stonethwaite [with] The Lake District Walker
Darren Mortimer hiked it on September 22nd, 2012 [from/via/route] Seatoller walk c139 [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Warm & sunny
Paul Carmichael summited on July 9th, 2012 [from/via/route] rosthwaite [with] solo [weather] sunny
Christine Knowles conquered it on May 24th, 2012 [from/via/route] From Seatoller [with] Graham [weather] Very hot
Neil Smith, Stephen Byrne, Patrick Rogozinski, Andrew Martin, Melanie Dunn, Jenny Godfrey, Matthew Thomas, Louise Sandwith, Linda Mckeogh, Jo Dixon, Jonathan Tobin, David Shaw, John Walter, David Laws, Steven Woodroffe, Simon Duerden, Jeanette Coward, Paul Booth, Paul Henderson, Trevor Williams, John Cuthbert, Ian Thomas, Stephen Millington, Jacqui Smith, Adam Shewry and Ray O'hara have all walked, climbed & bagged Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot).To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)
*Scafell Pike (far left back) and The Borrowdale Fells featuring Allen Crags, High House Tarn Top, Red Beck Top, Looking Stead, Glaramara, Comb Head, Comb Door Top, Dovenest Top and Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) from High Raise (Langdale)
Approaching Rosthwaite Cam (Rosthwaite Fell) and Tarn at Leaves from Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)
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