The Circuit of Devoke Water

Walked on 15/09/2015

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – White Pike on Birkby Fell (OF) – Yoadcastle (OF) – Woodend Height (OF)– Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 5.4 miles Total Ascent: 686 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Cloudy but warm. 17oC.

It’s a long time since I completed this circuit (8 years!) but I quite fancied it today – the going is relatively easy and it is certainly quiet with decent views all around. This one comes well recommended…

Firtsly, the Tour of Britain cycle race visited Cumbria on Thursday 10th September so it seemed rude not to visit – we actually saw it in two places, the climb from Plumpton and then later on the climb from Langwathby. Excellent weather for an excellent afternoon’s viewing.

Here come the leaders.

The Sky train.

Sir Bradley leads the peloton. On with today's walk...

Heading for Rough Crag.

Sunlight on Devoke Water, beyond is Woodend Height.

On Rough Crag.

Looking towards Water Crag, the next port of call.

There was an ear raising breeze on the top.

Looking back to Rough Crag.

Seat How with Harter Fell beyond.

A panorama of Devoke Water.

White Pike summit looking out to the coast.

The view from Yoadcastle...

...and from nearby Woodend Height.

The boathouse with Rough Crag beyond.

The wind is picking up as shown by the ripples across Devoke Water, photo from Seat How.

The cairn on Seat How.

Rough Crag (Birker Moor)

Height: 319 metres / 1047 feet Grid reference: SD 16113 97755 Category: The Outlying Fells

Looking to Rough Crag from the walk to Water Crag

Looking to Harter Fell from the summit of Rough Crag

The family on Rough Crag in 2008 – Casper, Angus, Louise and Connie

Devoke Water

Walked on 13/09/2014

Start Point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 3 miles Total Ascent: 190 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 14:00

Weather: Warm but overcast, 19°C

I had enough time for a quick walk around Devoke Water this afternoon – it is guaranteed to be far from the madding crowd up here even at the weekend.

Firstly, a few photos from this week (they are available to view on Facebook at the time they are taken if you want to keep up to date). Windermere sunset.

Heaven.

Moon over Helvellyn.

Martian landscape or the west coast of Cumbria?

Setting sun.

Fun and frolics in the last bit of daylight.

Harter Fell and Green Crag. It was a bit of a funny day being really warm hazy and overcast.

Fletcher progress report: he is off the lead on the fells and loving it! He is such a good lad, sticks by my side and not particularly interested in sheep - only out of curiosity really. He is going to be a fell maestro for sure...

Hazy Scafell.

Above Devoke Water.

Heading for Water Crag.

Rough Crag from Water Crag.

Fletcher.

Tongue competition.

Woodend Height and Yoadcastle.

Seat How.

Devoke Water swimming club.

Walking on water.

The old boathouse.

Devoke Water from Seat How.

'Look what I've found!' - not sure of the significance of this on top of Seat How.

Gimmers - a face in the crowd.

Devoke Water

Walked on 24/08/2009

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 140 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Sunny spells. 17C.

It was oddly sunny-but-not today as there seemed there was a lot of high level cloud giving shade cover a lot of the time. There has been plenty of rain over the weekend too, so this normally boggy walk was even worse today. It was a good little taster of fell life for Dougal, though, and Connie loves it up here too. Today was the first time I have had a chance to play with my new camera – of course when you upgrade you end up getting more buttons and more menus to learn – I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it all in the end. The camera was purchased with the proceeds from the 2010 calendar, so thanks to all who have bought one.

Devoke Water route map.

Casper's off, heading for Rough Crag.

The lovely view across Birker Fell.

The Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Harter Fell all in view from here.

Woodend height across Devoke Water.

The cairn at the top of Rough Crag.

Connie, Dougal and a rather mucky Casper on Rough Crag.

Harter Fell from Rough Crag, the Coniston fells beyond.

Connie points out the old boathouse on Devoke Water below whilst Casper decides to head for Water Crag!

Scafell and Slight Side. Great Gable is just peeping through to the left.

Best pals.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable, Boat How central.

Harter Fell, Crook Crag and Green Crag, Grey Friar beyond.

Heading for Water Crag.

Looking back along the path from Rough Crag.

The West Cumbrian coast from Water Crag.

Dougal tries to break Casper's world record for the longest tongue.

The mermaid of Water Crag, Woodend Height looming behind.

Rough Crag, Harter fell and Green Crag from Water Crag with Grey Friar in the distance.

Casper works out the best route down to Devoke Water.

The Scafells and Rough Crag from one of the many ancient cairns in the area.

Looking back up to Water Crag.

Go on Dougal, you know you want to...

...and of course he did! Wet little Dougal-Doo.

Devoke Water.

Hesk Fell and the old boathouse.

Seat How.

The return along the track.

Devoke Water

Walked on 11/08/2008

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 2.8 miles Total Ascent: 190 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes

Weather: Overcast with some sunny spells. 17ºC.

The weather has been a bit on and off today and I couldn’t decide where to walk. Eventually I ended up at Devoke Water where there was a cool breeze on the tops to make it feel autumnal and it was quite squelchy underfoot. I think I just managed to dodge the rain today though with heavy downpours either side of the walk.

Harter Fell, Crook Crag and Green Crag from the Birker Fell road.

Woodend Height and the old boathouse from the climb to Rough Crag. The bracken is starting to turn noticeably now and autumn is round the corner. When are we having summer then?

Upper Eskdale, the Scafells in cloud.

Seat How showing ascent by the direct route later.

The view to the east from Rough Crag.

Casper on Rough Crag overlooking Devoke Water.

Water Crag ahead.

Following the leader.

The view from Water Crag - Rough Crag, Harter Fell and Green Crag.

Descending to Devoke Water with the shapely silhouette of Caw in the distance.

It has started to brighten up over this way looking to Seat How but beyond, the Coniston fells are covered in cloud still.

Where did that blue sky come from? Looking back up to Water Crag.

Down at Devoke Water side.

Hesk Fell from Seat How.

Casper in the grass.

Yoadcastle and Woodend Height.

Devoke Water.

Water Crag and Rough Crag above Devoke Water.

Esk Pike and Bowfell, now clear of cloud.

Harter Fell and Green Crag.

Heading for home and just in the nick of time as the weather took a turn for the (much) worse.

Devoke Water

Walked on 14/02/2008

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 140 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm, cool breeze on the tops. 9°C.

Once again it was lovely and sunny in the Lake District and we had a walk around the lovely and tranquil Devoke Water. We walked together to Rough Crag with Casper and I continuing to Water Crag whilst Louise, Connie and Angus made a slower descent to Devoke Water. It really was lovely up there today even with the cold breeze belying the sunny photos. Later, after suitable refreshments, we enjoyed a short drive to Wasdale where the dogs got themselves cleaned up in Wast Water.

Harter Fell on the distant left beyond Birkerthwaite and Green Crag to the right.

Casper caught in full flight on the way to Rough Crag.

The same view as the first photo from higher up.

There is a great view to the head of Eskdale from Birker Moor with the Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags in view.

Flat topped Kirk Fell with Great Gable peeping out from behind Scafell.

Sunlit Devoke Water.

Looking to Harter Fell from the summit of Rough Crag.

A panoramic view from the top.

Water Crag ahead - that's where we are off to next.

The family on Rough Crag - Casper, Angus, Louise and Connie.

Leaving the summit of Rough Crag.

Looking towards Rough Crag from Water Crag.

Close-up on Rough Crag with Harter Fell beyond.

Casper.

A peaceful Devoke Water. The distant pyramid is Caw with the saw-toothed Dunnerdale Fells in view.

Seat How and the old boathouse from the edge of Devoke Water.

A similar view from further along the bank.

Looking back to Water Crag. After drinks and cakes at a tearoom (you can see how our days are spent!), we had a short drive to Wasdale.

The Screes and Wast Water.

Middle Fell.

Wasdale.

Angus enjoyed a swim in Wast Water.

Lingmell, Scafell and Scafell Pike.

The cloud is building on Scafell.

Great Gable bathed in late afternoon sunlight.

The Screes from Nether Wasdale.

Circuit of Devoke Water

Walked on 10/09/2007

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – White Pike on Birkby Fell (OF) – Yoadcastle (OF) – Woodend Height (OF)– Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 5.4 miles Total Ascent: 686 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Sunny spells, clearing. Cool breeze on the tops. 20oC.

I think the weather men actually got it right today, saying it would clear throughout the morning as it duly did. Although it was warm when sheltered, the exposed tops were caught by the wind straight off the Irish Sea and made it more than a bit chilly. Brr!

Running to Rough Crag. Well, some of us are.

Harter Fell and Green Crag across Birker Fell.

The Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Harter fell.

Casper and Angus on top of Rough Crag.

A close-up of Harter Fell.

Scafell and Slight Side, Great Gable in the distance.

Looking to Rough Crag from the walk to Water Crag.

Looking west over Birker Fell, the pyramidal Caw to the right.

Crossing Linbeck Gill, the outflow of Devoke Water.

Devoke Water from an ancient cairn below Birkby Fell.

The west Cumbrian coast and Ravenglass Estuary from White Pike. The River Esk is snaking its way into the estuary.

Admiring the view on White Pike.

The Scafells from the large cairn on Woodend Height.

Yoadcastle and Whitfell from Woodend Height.

I think these two were waiting for me on Yoadcastle.

The view from Yoadcastle.

Looking over White Pike to the coast.

The view over Seat How, centre, from the descent. The old boathouse is to the left.

Water Crag over the old boathouse.

Seat How.

The boathouse from the climb to Seat How.

Devoke Water from Seat How.

Devoke Water

Walked on 13/04/2007

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Weather: Warm and hazy. 18oC.

It was as warm today as yesterday, but unfortunately it was even hazier so there really wasn’t much of a view from our walk to Rough Crag above Devoke Water. At least there were no crowds and we had time to relax awhile and enjoy the peace and quiet in the sunshine. Someone even dabbled their toes in the water…

The grassy climb to Rough Crag.

Devoke Water.

Water Crag from the top of Rough Crag.

Casper and Angus on Rough Crag, complete with lolling tongues!

Connie caught this great photo of Casper on Rough Crag. Take it easy lad.

Devoke Water and Water Crag.

Woodend Pike, Yoadcastle and White Pike across Devoke Water.

Casper and Connie enjoying the day.

Casper and Angus in Devoke Water, setting sail for the old boathouse I think.

Seat How above Devoke Water.

The westerly view along the shore.

Connie being extremely brave and having a paddle.

A sparkling Devoke Water and yes, that is Angus - told you he was going for the boathouse!

Devoke Water

Walked on 25/07/2006

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Hot and hazy. 28oC.

Today was one the hottest day ever recorded around these parts – it was slightly cooler where we went, given the height and a nice cooling breeze on the tops. The main criteria today was somewhere to swim (of course!) and where better than the deserted Devoke Water – we had a great time here today and wondered where the time had gone when we got back.

Connie leads Casper up the track towards Devoke Water.

Seat How.

Having a rest on the climb to Rough Crag and admiring the view of Woodend Height over Devoke Water.

The same view from the summit of Rough Crag.

Looking over Eskdale to the high fells - Great Gable, Scafells, Esk Pike, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags.

Harter Fell and Green Crag.

There was a welcoming breeze on Rough Crag for Angus and Casper.

The way ahead to Water Crag.

Looking toward Rough Crag from Water Crag with the Scafells beyond.

Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Scafell and Slight Side.

Muncaster Fell over Lower Eskdale.

Connie looking dwarfed on Water Crag by Woodend Height.

Seat How across Devoke Water.

Harter Fell, Green Crag and Seat How.

Looking west over Devoke Water.

Swim time for Angus.

..and Connie......and me!

Having a splashing time. That's Water Crag in the background.

The things you do...this is the new 'InDevokeWaterCam'!

Nice to have a swim with the old fellow though.

He certainly enjoyed it in this heat.

We all did!

Apart from Casper that is - he is only a paddler.

The way back after the swim was towards the old boathouse.

The old boathouse at the eastern end of Devoke Water.

The boathouse and Water Crag.

Devoke Water - we were swimming to the left of the island.

Harter Fell and Green Crag. Check out Connie's version of the walk today!

Devoke Water

Walked on 03/05/2006

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny with a cool breeze. 14oC.

I had a short walk this morning around Devoke Water, a largely missed and unvisited stretch of water. This is one which gives fine views, especially on a day that was ever clearing like today. Casper is ever improving as well – now he comes on command, which is good – now I’ve just got to get Angus to do it…!

Seat How, Yoadcastle and Devoke Water from the climb to Rough Crag.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable peeping out from behind Scafell (in cloud).

The view to the Scafell range from Rough Crag.

There was a really stiff, cold breeze up on the exposed tops of Rough Crag and Water Crag. Casper finds a good vantage point here on Rough Crag.

The way ahead to Water Crag.

Looking back to Rough Crag from Water Crag, Harter Fell beyond.

Sunshine for these two to lie in, but it's still windy on Water Crag. Last day of the long hair for Angus too - his summer crop beckons!

Muncaster Fell from Water Crag, Sellafield on the coast in the distance.

Angus had a swim in Devoke Water

Harter Fell, Green Crag and Seat How across Devoke Water.

Devoke Water from Seat How, the old boathouse below.

Angus has a look at the panoramic vista of the Scafells.

Great Gable.

Kirk Fell.

Harter Fell.

The cloud had lifted from the tops now compared to the earlier photos.

Water Crag across Devoke Water.

Harter Fell and Green Crag from the track down to the Birker Moor road.

...and a close up of them.

Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Scafell from the Birker Moor road.

Rough Crag

Walked on 22/07/2005

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Weather: Cloudy. 18°C.

It was another overcast day today with a thick band of low lying cloud over the fells. We just managed to stay below it but the views were totally obliterated from Rough Crag on the northern side of Devoke Water.

Rough Crag route map.

Harter Fell and Green Crag getting lost in the low cloud from Birker Fell.

Seat How.

Devoke Water through the mist from Rough Crag.

Water Crag from Rough Crag.

Angus on the shore of Devoke Water.

Seat How over Devoke Water. ...and on the way home we stopped off at The River Duddon...

...to use a fishing net.

The River Duddon.

Devoke Water

Walked on 08/06/2005

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Warm but hazy, gradually clearing, 18°C.

This afternoon I had a short and slow walk on Birker Moor, completing a circuit of the Devoke Water shoreline. It was warm today with a slight breeze; the conditions were hazy so it wasn’t so good for views until the end of the walk. Nice to see a little bit of summer though!

Devoke Water route map.

Harter Fell and Green Crag from Rough Crag.

On Water Crag.

Seat How behind the Old Boathouse.

Another view of the Old Boathouse with Rough Crag behind.

The view to the north-east, the haze beginning to clear now.

Devoke Water.

The Circuit of Devoke Water

Walked on 23/02/2005

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – White Pike on Birkby Fell (OF) – Yoadcastle (OF)– Woodend Height (OF) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 5.4 miles Total Ascent: 686 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Freezing temperatures, clear sunny spells and snow showers.

Devoke Water lies between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley and is hidden just off the Birker Fell road. The Circuit of Devoke Water gives fine views of the fells at the head of Wasdale, Eskdale and out to the Irish Sea. There was a cold, cold wind blowing from the high fells today bringing with it snow flurries, but when the clouds cleared there were some great views.

This round is described in Wainwright’s The Circuit of Devoke Water chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 144.

Elevation profile of the route.

3D image of the walk route.

Scafell and Slight Side from Rough Crag. The flat fell in the centre is Eskdale Fell. The tip of Scafell Pike can just be seen in the cloud to the right of Scafell summit.

Crook Crag and Green Crag with Harter Fell behind from the summit of Rough Crag.

Sellafield over Muncaster Fell and the west coast of Cumbria from Water Crag.

Linbeck Gill.

The Ravenglass Estuary from White Pike. Muncaster Castle is visible in the centre.

Whitfell and Stainton Pike from Yoadcastle.

Harter Fell over a frozen tarn between Yoadcastle and Woodend Height.

Looking north to the Pillar group of fells from Woodend Height. See below for an annotated version of this photo.

Devoke Water Circuit - 23.02.05 039 annotated

The summit of Woodend Height looking over Devoke Water to the high Western Fells.

Devoke Water.

The clouds cleared over Esk Pike and Bow Fell towards the end of the walk. See below for an annotated version of this photo.

Devoke Water Circuit - 23.02.05 063 annotated

Whitfell Group

Walked on 13/05/2004

Start point: Hole House (SD 181 930)

Hole House – The Pike (9) – Hesk Fell (10) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (11) – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (12) – Water Crag (13) – The Knott on Stainton Fell (14) – White Pike on Birkby Fell (15) – Woodend Height (16) – Yoadcastle (17) – Stainton Pike (18) – Whitfell (19) – Burn Moor (20) – Kinmont Buck Barrow (21) – Great Paddy Crag (22) – Buck Barrow (23) – Plough Fell (24) – Bigert (25) – Hole House

Weather: Dull and overcast with hill fog and sunny spells.

The Pike...

and Hesk Fell summit.

'The detour to The Pike' - AW 'The Outlying Fells of Lakeland' page 141.

Whin Rigg, Illgill Head and The Scafell range from Seat How.

Devoke Water from Seat How.

The summits of Rough Crag....

and Water Crag - AW 'The Outlying Fells of Lakeland' page 146.

Two views of Linbeck Gill, Devoke Water outfall..

Seat How behind and Caw in the distance.

Stainton Pike from The Knott - 'Seen from The Knott, Stainton Pike assumes the pyramidal shape of Bowfell..'. AW

The impressive cairn on White Pike

Stainton Pike summit.

The summit of Woodend Height

Yoadcastle.

Holehouse Tarn.

Stainton Pike, White Pike, Woodend Height and Yoadcastle from the ascent of Whitfell. Holehouse Tarn is in the foreground.

The Duddon Estuary from the summit of Whitfell.

The summit of Burn Moor looking south to Buck Barrow and Kinmont Buck Barrow.

Overlooking the Duddon Estuary from Kinmont Buck Barrow summit

Great Paddy Crag summit.

Kinmont Buck Barrow from Buck Barrow summit

The first time I have ever seen cows on a summit, on Bigert!

The sun shines! The Coniston range from Plough Fell summit - Grey Friar and Swirl How to the left of the dip, then Brim Fell, Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Buck Pike and Brown Pike.

Another view from Plough Fell summit, The Scafells to the left, Esk Pike and Bowfell in the centre with the Crinkle Crags and Harter Fell to the right.

The Pike from the descent of Bigert.