A walk to the ridge above Wast Water taking in Whin Rigg and Illgill Head after one of the longer drives to Boot. The route starts off through the browning bracken set off by the green grass past the conifer woods of Miterdale. In the distance are snow dusted peaks and the River Esk Estuary.
Whin Rigg top is reached fairly quickly. The light on this walk varies dramatically from dark shadowy hills to sunny vistas into the valleys.
From Whin Rigg one strides out along the ridge leaving the darkening Esk Estuary behind and with Wast Water straight down below.
At points the impressive drop down to Wast Water becomes clearer.
Illgill Head is reached with the view up over Wasdale Head towards Kirk Fell and Great Gable
From Illgill Head one descends to Maiden Castle and around Burnmoor Tarn. It is now around 3 O’clock and there is an even greater striking contrasts of light on the Tarn and moors. The walk is completed down Willan Beck back to Boot.
