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.

Seat How

Walked on 25/05/2009

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) from the Birker Fell road

Weather: Sunny and warm. 20C.

I thought I would keep away from the traffic and crowds today with a walk across Birker Fell up to Yoadcastle. The weather was beautiful – really warm with a slight breeze. I’ll blame it on the weather that I didn’t quite reach my intended destination…

The track to Devoke Water, Seat How is the limp in the centre.

The view towards the Scafells from Tewit Moss, a really boggy area and not a recommended route.

Seat How and Water Crag complete with frolicking Casper!

What a beautiful day up on the top today.

Having a look over Devoke Water.

A panoramic view of Devoke Water. It was so warm and peaceful here today, I had a lie down for a little while enjoying the sunshine...

...and the view when I eventually woke up! All motivation to carry on had gone now so I opted for a quick return.

Hesk Fell, Stickle Pike in the distance.

A panoramic view from The Seat.

Harter Fell, the scene of my last walk.

Great Gable peeps from behind Scafell here (left) with Scafell Pike and Slight Side in view. The flat topped Eskdale Fell is central.

Bowfell.

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.

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 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.