Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Superb ridge walk above Lakeland's deepest lake


Route outline for walk c116:

Wasdale Head  -  (National Trust Campsite)  -  Wast Water  -  Lingmell Gill  -  Illgill Head  -  Whin Rigg  -  Greathall Gill  -  Wasdale Hall Youth Hostel  -  Wast Water  -  Wasdale Head



Points of Interest/Notes on this walk:

Wasdale Head is a tiny hamlet of agricultural fields and dwellings that claims to be home of the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike), the deepest lake (Wast Water), the smallest church (Church of St Olaf) and the biggest liar (Will Ritson). There is an excellent National Trust Campsite and a fine pub - the Wasdale Inn - which claims to be the birthplace of British rock climbing. There is also a large free parking area for visitors.


Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk:

hewitt
0
English
Mountains
Wainwright
2
Wainwrights
 English Nuttalls
0
English
Nuttalls
Dewey
2
English
Deweys
Wainwright Outlying Fell
0
Wainwright
Outlying Fells
marilyn
1
Marilyn
Bridget
0
Bridgets

Peak Bagging Statistics for this walk:

The highest point of this walk is Illgill Head at 609m (1997ft). Illgill Head is classified as an Wainwright (No. 129).

Illgill Head is also known as an English Dewey (2nd highest in England, 4th in England & Wales) and an English Marilyn (52nd highest in England, 757th highest in the UK).

Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Whin Rigg at 535m (1756ft). Whin Rigg is classified as an Wainwright (No. 156).

Whin Rigg is also known as an English Dewey (103rd highest in England, 239th in England & Wales)


You can find more walks near this one on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

The Lake District National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL6 The English Lakes - South Western area


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

89 West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water


Some Photos and Pictures from Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

In no particular order . . .

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Mickledore at Sunset from Wasdale

Mickledore at Sunset from Wasdale

Photo: Craig Carter (27)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - The setting sun on Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head

The setting sun on Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head

Photo: Mick Fox (6)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - *From Left to right: Caw Fell, Seatallan, Red Pike, Pillar, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and Sca Fell and Wast Water (foreground) from Illgill Head (NB. Scafell Pike is largely hidden behind Sca Fell)

*From Left to right: Caw Fell, Seatallan, Red Pike, Pillar, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and Sca Fell and Wast Water (foreground) from Illgill Head (NB. Scafell Pike is largely hidden behind Sca Fell)

Photo: Wayne Hill (34)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water and Wasdale Head from the lower slopes of Great Gable and Kirk Fell

Wast Water and Wasdale Head from the lower slopes of Great Gable and Kirk Fell

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (5)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow and Great Gable from Wast Water, Wasdale

Yewbarrow and Great Gable from Wast Water, Wasdale

Photo: Tony Higgs (26)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - The Wast Water Screes below Illgill Head and Whin Rigg

The Wast Water Screes below Illgill Head and Whin Rigg

Photo: Ian Mansell (13)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Illgill Head summit shelter

Illgill Head summit shelter

Photo: Steven Mostyn (5)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Greathall Gill between Irton Pike and Whin Rigg

Greathall Gill between Irton Pike and Whin Rigg

Photo: Steven Mostyn (2)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow and Yewbarrow (North Top) beyond Wast Water from Illgill Head

Yewbarrow and Yewbarrow (North Top) beyond Wast Water from Illgill Head

Photo: Ian Mansell (11)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Britain's Favourite View - Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell, Great End, Sca Fell and the shoulder of Illgill Head (far right) from Wast Water

Britain's Favourite View - Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell, Great End, Sca Fell and the shoulder of Illgill Head (far right) from Wast Water

Photo: Andy Malcolm (242)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell from across Wast Water

Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell from across Wast Water

Photo: Martyn Hibbert (2)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water from Illgill Head and Whin Rigg

Wast Water from Illgill Head and Whin Rigg

Photo: Mick Fox (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water, Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (centre left), Great Gable (centre right) and Lingmell Fell (right) from Illgill Head

Wast Water, Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (centre left), Great Gable (centre right) and Lingmell Fell (right) from Illgill Head

Photo: Ian Mansell (10)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water

Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water

Photo: Ian Mansell (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Packhorse Bridge over Mosedale Beck, Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Packhorse Bridge over Mosedale Beck, Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Photo: Wayne Hill (18)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - The Wast Water Screes

The Wast Water Screes

Photo: Richard Duff (3)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable and Lingmell (right) from Wast Water

Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable and Lingmell (right) from Wast Water

Photo: Peter Dryden (3)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Black Grag (Pillar), Wind Gap, Pillar and Looking Stead (Pillar) above Mosedale from Wasdale Head

Black Grag (Pillar), Wind Gap, Pillar and Looking Stead (Pillar) above Mosedale from Wasdale Head

Photo: Andy Malcolm (245)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Burnmoor Tarn from the approach to Illgill Head

Burnmoor Tarn from the approach to Illgill Head

Photo: Mick Fox (3)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - *Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head across Wast Water

*Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head across Wast Water

Photo: Wayne Hill (19)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Great Gable from Burnthwaite, Wasdale Head

Great Gable from Burnthwaite, Wasdale Head

Photo: David Swales (13)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water from Lingmell Gill on the way up Scafell Pike. The fell to the right is Middle Fell

Wast Water from Lingmell Gill on the way up Scafell Pike. The fell to the right is Middle Fell

Photo: Alan Reed (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Red Pike (centre left), Pillar, Yewbarrow (centre), Kirk Fell & Great Gable (right) beyond Wast Water from Whin Rigg

Red Pike (centre left), Pillar, Yewbarrow (centre), Kirk Fell & Great Gable (right) beyond Wast Water from Whin Rigg

Photo: Ian Mansell (12)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Sca Fell from Wast Water

Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Sca Fell from Wast Water

Photo: Alan Wainwright (76)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (in cloud centre), Lingmell (centre right) and the Wast Water screes (right) reflected in Wast Water

Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (in cloud centre), Lingmell (centre right) and the Wast Water screes (right) reflected in Wast Water

Photo: Wayne Hill (29)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Great Gable and Kirk Fell (left) from Illgill Head

Great Gable and Kirk Fell (left) from Illgill Head

Photo: Mick Fox (2)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow from Illgill Head summit cairn

Yewbarrow from Illgill Head summit cairn

Photo: Steven Mostyn (6)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow at sunrise from Wast Water

Yewbarrow at sunrise from Wast Water

Photo: Andy Malcolm (163)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wasdale Head Hall Farm

Wasdale Head Hall Farm

Photo: Craig Carter (40)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (centre), Lingmell (right) and the lower slopes of Scafell Pike (right) from across Wast Water

Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (centre), Lingmell (right) and the lower slopes of Scafell Pike (right) from across Wast Water

Photo: Ian Mansell (4)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Whin Rigg and the Wast Water Screes

Whin Rigg and the Wast Water Screes

Photo: Alan Wainwright (73)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - *Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Lingmell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

*Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Lingmell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Photo: Wayne Hill (12)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (centre in cloud), Lingmell and the shoulder or Scafell Pike (right) from across Wast Water

Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable (centre in cloud), Lingmell and the shoulder or Scafell Pike (right) from across Wast Water

Photo: Andy Malcolm (104)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - The Wast Water Screes

The Wast Water Screes

Photo: Richard Duff (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wasdale

Wasdale

Photo: Mick Coxon (14)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Great Gable from Wasdale Head

Great Gable from Wasdale Head

Photo: Martyn Hibbert (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow, Great Gable and Lingmell from Wast Water

Yewbarrow, Great Gable and Lingmell from Wast Water

Photo: Andy Malcolm (49)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left) Great Gable (centre) and  Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water in Wasdale

Yewbarrow (left) Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water in Wasdale

Photo: David Swales (5)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmoor Fell (right) from Wast Water

Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmoor Fell (right) from Wast Water

Photo: Martyn Hibbert (13)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Kirk Fell from Wasdale Head

Kirk Fell from Wasdale Head

Photo: Andy Malcolm (225)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Black Crag (Pillar), Wind Gap, Pillar and Looking Stead (Pillar) above Mosedale from Wasdale Head

Black Crag (Pillar), Wind Gap, Pillar and Looking Stead (Pillar) above Mosedale from Wasdale Head

Photo: Andy Malcolm (241)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water

Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water

Photo: Ian Mansell (3)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Me and my son on Illgill Head

Me and my son on Illgill Head

Photo: Chris Budd (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Steel Fell (Dead Pike) summit cairn

Steel Fell (Dead Pike) summit cairn

Photo: Christine Shepherd (915)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Whin Rigg summit cairn

Whin Rigg summit cairn

Photo: Christine Shepherd (916)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow from Wasdale Head (near the campsite)

Yewbarrow from Wasdale Head (near the campsite)

Photo: Alan Wainwright (77)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Scafell Pike, Mickledore and Sca Fell from Wasdale Head

Scafell Pike, Mickledore and Sca Fell from Wasdale Head

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (14)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Whin Rigg summit cairn

Whin Rigg summit cairn

Photo: Steven Mostyn (3)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Illgill Head and the Wast Water Screes

Illgill Head and the Wast Water Screes

Photo: Alan Wainwright (75)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow Great Gable, Lingmell and Scafell Pike from Wast Water, Wasdale

Yewbarrow Great Gable, Lingmell and Scafell Pike from Wast Water, Wasdale

Photo: Tony Higgs (27)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Great Gable from Burnthwaite Farm, Wasdale Head

Great Gable from Burnthwaite Farm, Wasdale Head

Photo: Bob Ferguson (85)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - The Wasdale Valley featuring Lingmell (left), Illgill Head and Whin Rigg (left of centre in the distance), Wast Water (centre) and Yewbarrow (right) from near Westmorland Cairn on the summit of Great Gable

The Wasdale Valley featuring Lingmell (left), Illgill Head and Whin Rigg (left of centre in the distance), Wast Water (centre) and Yewbarrow (right) from near Westmorland Cairn on the summit of Great Gable

Photo: Ian Mansell (14)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell and the shoulder of Scafell Pike from Wast Water

Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell and the shoulder of Scafell Pike from Wast Water

Photo: Alan Wainwright (74)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water from  near Lingmell Gill (Wasdale Head)

Wast Water from near Lingmell Gill (Wasdale Head)

Photo: Paul Coulter (7)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (now conquered!) from the road to the  National Trust Camp Site at Wasdale where we were staying

Yewbarrow (now conquered!) from the road to the National Trust Camp Site at Wasdale where we were staying

Photo: Kerin Thorpe (2)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Scafell Pike (left) and Sca Fell (right) from Wasdale

Scafell Pike (left) and Sca Fell (right) from Wasdale

Photo: David Togstead (1)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water from Wasdale Head

Wast Water from Wasdale Head

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (6)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water from Whin Rigg summit

Wast Water from Whin Rigg summit

Photo: Steven Mostyn (4)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Scafell Pike, Mickledore and Sca Fell at sunset from Wasdale

Scafell Pike, Mickledore and Sca Fell at sunset from Wasdale

Photo: Craig Carter (23)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wast Water with Great Gable beyond

Wast Water with Great Gable beyond

Photo: Ian Lilley (5)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (partially hidden), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head (right) from across Wast Water

Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (partially hidden), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head (right) from across Wast Water

Photo: Mick Coxon (15)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Sunset on Scafell Pike, Mickledore and Sca Fell from Wasdale

Sunset on Scafell Pike, Mickledore and Sca Fell from Wasdale

Photo: Mick Fox (8)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - *Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head across Wast Water

*Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head across Wast Water

Photo: Wayne Hill (32)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Wasdale Head with Pillar beyond from the lower slopes of Lingmell & Scafell Pike

Wasdale Head with Pillar beyond from the lower slopes of Lingmell & Scafell Pike

Photo: David Swales (17)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable and Lingmell (right) and Scafell Pike (far right) from Wast Water

Yewbarrow (left), Great Gable and Lingmell (right) and Scafell Pike (far right) from Wast Water

Photo: Peter Dryden (4)

Walk c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water - The Wast Water Screes

The Wast Water Screes

Photo: Richard Duff (2)


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