Outlying Fells of Lakeland in 34 Walks

Route Thirty-two: Walna Scar
Outlying Fells: Walna Scar

Start Point
Walna Scar Road
Grid Reference
SD 23994 96804
Total Distance
2.8 miles (4.5 km)
Total Climbing
431 metres
Estimated Time
1 – 2 hours
Outlying Fells
1 Fell

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper maps for exploring the route:
Beginning the climb by Long House Gill
Beginning the climb by Long House Gill
The first view of Brown Pike
The first view of Brown Pike

The climb to Walna Scar is a straightforward affair by simply following Walna Scar Road to its highest point and then making a short ten-metre climb from the unmade roadside to the summit. Walna Scar Road is an old packhorse route, termed by Alfred Wainwright as "the ancient highway over Walna Scar". The road links the village of Coniston in the east to Duddondale in the west.

Drystone wall near Walna Scar Quarries
Drystone wall near Walna Scar Quarries
Walna Scar Side
Walna Scar Side

Although I have not walked the full length of Walna Scar Road in one go, I have climbed to the high point of the road from both directions; on both occasions while making climbs to Dow Crag via Brown Pike and Buck Pike. When I climbed from the east it was grotty weather and when I climbed it from the west it was equally grotty. Maybe one day I shall walk the road in sunshine. That would be nice. Incidentally, it can be a busy highway for fellwalkers making their way to the Coniston Fells. The time I made the ten-metre hop to the top of Walna Scar was a means of sitting down, having a bite to eat, and watching the human traffic making their way up the climb to Brown Pike. I knew I had to do it myself after lunch so I took my time over refreshments. When sat on Walna Scar I never knew it was an Outlying Fell so this was one of a few I could tick off at the beginning of my task to climb all the Outlying Fells of Lakeland.

Walking the Outlying Fells of Lakeland:

I provide maps, statistics, and route files in .gpx and Google Earth .kmz data forms for each walk in the compilation. For a detailed description of each outlying fell as originally described by Alfred Wainwright you will need to source the book.

The Outlying Fells Of Lakeland (Get the book here)

Join The Walking Englishman Community

Connect with other walkers, share trail photos, and keep up to date with my latest route notes.