Illgill Head to Ravenglass
1 NY168049 The high ground is now nearly vanquished, with the broad whaleback of Illgill and Whin Rigg being the last bastions of ground above 500m. These can be deceptively tough as the ground is often rough underfoot and the col (marked by a couple of small tarns) between is surprisingly deep. However, venture out to the craggy edge above Wast Water and the views will reward you handsomely – as long as you have a head for heights! You are descending south-west now, with only a short rise to the summit of Whin Rigg.
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Continue descending onto Irton Fell, there’s a slight col as you pass above Greathall Gill, a chasm leading down into Wasdale. Cross over the remnants of a drystone wall, then go through a gate in a wall, this now acts as a handrail on your left. The path gets quite boggy as it descends to a junction with the bridleway between Miterdale and Nether Wasdale.
3 NY135022 Go left on this through felled woodland then thicker pine plantation. Maintain your rough direction down across a series of forestry tracks before the path begins to bend more sinuously as you enter oak woodland. Cross a shallow ford, stone bridge and tarmac track to continue on a stony track to Eskdale Green, passing the former sculpted gardens of Giggle Alley just before you reach the road. 4 NY142002 Turn right along the road passing Eskdale Stores. In summer, from The Green or Irton Road stations you have the option of taking La’al Ratty (a narrow gauge steam train) down to the end of its line at Ravenglass. This is a very pleasant option at the end of a fantastic high level walk (and misses the final bog-flog over Muncaster!)
5 NY141001 Turn left onto Randlehow (private road) and follow the footpath that runs along it. Turn right by Stoneycroft and over a cattle grid onto another private road (footpath to Muncaster Fell). At a bend left in the track, follow footpath signs rightwards across a field to cross the narrow gauge railway line (beware of trains!) and a stream, followed by a short section of boardwalk. Turn left at a junction with a wider track, then after about 200m take a footpath right, just before a gate across the track.
6 SD139993 This leads up onto Muncaster Fell. The path to the first summit goes through a boggy gateway then roughly hugs a drystone wall before veering left to descend to a col between the two tops. After this take your pick of a range of braiding paths, just head west! Towards the second summit you will almost certainly gain a drystone wall and go through a gateway. After this it’s worth staying right to avoid a few false summits, before rising to a trig point with fabulous views out to sea.
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Maintain your direction west and downhill to a gateway. Pass Muncaster Tarn to your right and descend Fell Lane (track) to the road. Stay on the pavement past Muncaster Castle, then left at a road junction to Ravenglass Station. Go under the rail bridge and bend left up the station access road. Reward yourself – you've made it!