Wastwater Circular Walk

The Wastwater Circular Walk is a beautiful, yet frustrating trail in the Lake District that will lead you around the edges of Wastwater Lake. Due to a landslide wiping out part of the trail, sections of this route have become fairly rocky and difficult to traverse. Even still, if you are up for a bit of a challenge and are confident in your route finding skills, feel free to give this tough walk a try before a new trail is established.
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Route Description for Wastwater Circular Walk
While the Wastwater Circular Walk used to be a popular route around the scenic shores of the lake, foot traffic has declined following a landslide that wiped out a portion of the trail. For those adventurous walkers that don’t mind trekking through a bit of rocky terrain, this route still makes for a fun - if rugged - day out on the trails. Setting out from the trailhead, the path will lead you to the southeast through Low Wood to cross over the River Irt. Here, you will continue along the river towards the east to meet back up with the edge of the lake, following closely alongside the shoreline. This portion of the walk is flanked by a steep hillside on your right and is the portion of the trail that was affected by the landslide. Take your time navigating this rocky area and enjoy the scenic views of nearby fells across the water before looping around the northeastern corner of the lake for a much easier return leg through the valley.
Getting to the Wastwater Circular Walk Trailhead
To reach the trailhead for the Wastwater Circular Walk from Nether Wasdale, drive east for 0.5 km and make a left turn, following the road for 1.6 km. Make a slight right here and you will arrive at the trailhead in 0.2 km.
Route Information
Wastwater Circular Walk Elevation Graph
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Nearby Trails
- Nether Wasdale and Wastwater Walk
- The Wasdale Screes Walk
- Middle Fell, Seatallan, and Buckbarrow Walk
- Scafell Pike Circular Walk from Wasdale Head
- Great Gable, Kirk Fell, and Pillar Circular Walk
- Scafell Pike via Piers Gill Walk
- Great Gable and Kirk Fell Walk
- Broad Crag and Scafell Pike Walk
- Scafell Pike Corridor Route
- Church Stile Farm to Wastwater Trail
- Wastwater Extended Loop
- Mosedale Horseshoe Walk