Whin Rigg is one of two Wainwrights on a wonderful linear ridge above Wast Water, England’s deepest and, arguably, most spectacular lake. The fell is most famous for the dramatic Wastwater Screes, which tumble abruptly down from the ridge’s northwestern flanks to the shores of the lake. Incredibly, one of the Screes’ near-vertical gullies contain the remains of a crashed airplane.

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Save

Location: Wasdale, Copeland, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Whin Rigg

4.8

(17)

176

hikers

1. Illgill Head & Wast Water loop from Wasdale Head — Lake District National Park

17.0km

05:48

700m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.6

(17)

183

hikers

2. Whin Rigg – Illgill Head loop from Holmrook

17.3km

05:53

610m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.6

(16)

172

hikers

3. Whin Rigg – Illgill Head loop from Eskdale Green

16.0km

05:37

640m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

Tips

Adventurer Nic

June 11, 2021

Whin Rigg is a 1,755-foot (537m) fell in the South Western Lake District. It forms part of a stretch of high ground that hugs the south-eastern edge of Wast Water which is the deepest body of water in the Lake District. Walking the full ridge to Illgill Head in both directions is recommended so you can fully appreciate the jutting cliffs that curve in and out from the main ridge. Spectacular!

David Howells

June 30, 2021

Set out from the National Trust car park at 7.30am in the morning on a blue sky day and by 8.30am we were on the top and couldn't see 50m in front....bummer!

Richard

April 27, 2024

Check out the view of the end of the lake and Wasdale Youth Hostel from here

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 590 m

Good to know

Family Friendly

yes

Wheelchair access

Dog Friendly

yes

Weather

Today

Saturday 13 December

10°C

6°C

-- %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: -- km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Wasdale, Copeland, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Illgill Head

Eskdale Mill

Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall

Stone Bridge Over the River Esk near Dalegarth

Middle Fell Summit

Scoat Fell

Birker Fell Road

Haystacks Summit

Stanley Ghyll Trail

Wast Water

Dalegarth Station – Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Whin Rigg

1. Illgill Head & Wast Water loop from Wasdale Head — Lake District National Park

2. Whin Rigg – Illgill Head loop from Holmrook

3. Whin Rigg – Illgill Head loop from Eskdale Green

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️