High Rigg - St John's in the Vale

Jim Grindle

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The walk leaves the Water Board car park at Legburthwaite and quickly climbs a low ridge among pine-trees. As the higher points of the ridge are reached, the terrain becomes moorland and superb views open up of Skiddaw and Blencathra. A drop to the little church of St John's leads to a path more or less following St John's Beck and passing the back of a farm, before one last climb to reach the starting point.

The walk has all the feel of being on the high tops but without the climbing. I would rate this highly as a family walk.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North East

Features

Birds, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Mountains, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife

13/06/2018 - Sandra Drew

This is a superb walk for it’s panoramic views But it is NOT an easy one ! A stroll round Buttermere is easy whereas there are several minutes of steep climbing to reach High Rigg AND the descent most of the way to the church is very steep (we had a very dry lengthy grassy slope - must be dangerous when wet and lengthy scree like sloping paths are awful) Asked fellow male walkers at the tea room if they thought it was easy and they agreed with me that it should be graded moderate.

08/04/2016 - Carol Cassie

This is a great walk but due to the devastation caused by Storm Desmond (Dec 2015), some of this walk is still recovering (April 2016). The tea gardens are closed due to damage to their property. The going from point 11 onwards is hard going, very muddy and sorry, but not very well marked. Probably best left for a day when it hasn't rained for weeks before! (or wear your wellies!) Oh yes and at point 15 don't cross the bridge, it's not very clear in the instruction. We walk pretty fast and this took us 3 hours so leave yourself plenty of time.

27/05/2014 - Richard Hardy

Couple of unfenced bits about the river but a great walk for dogs

27/05/2014 - Richard Hardy

i did this in reverse last night and had it written up to contribute to the site because it is such a good walk. You really feel like you are much higher, the surrounding hills are a grand theatre against which the walk plays out. I suspect this one will become a favourite.

03/06/2013 - Majella Halstead

Did this walk at the weekend of 2/6/2013. A lovely walk made by the lovely weather, views and excellent guide details we used from this website. A first of many I hope to be doing over the next months in the lake District.

27/09/2006 - john martin

Nice tearoom at Bridge End Farm.