Walla Crag: 379m, Walks and Views over Derwentwater

Walla Crag rises above the eastern shore of Derwentwater, close to Keswick but with a distinctly fell-top outlook. At 379m (1,243ft), it is one of the lower Wainwrights, yet its rocky edge commands a generous view across the lake and surrounding fells. Woodland below and open ground above give it much of its character: a compact fell where the transition from lakeside country to upland feels particularly clear.

A rocky edge above Derwentwater

Walla Crag stands south-east of Keswick, overlooking Derwentwater from its eastern side. Its defining feature is the abrupt crag above the wooded slopes of Great Wood. Seen from the lake, this combination of rock and woodland gives the fell a stronger presence than its modest height might suggest. Above the trees, the ground opens into heath and rough fell country extending towards Bleaberry Fell.

The summit is recorded at grid reference NY276212. At 379m, Walla Crag does not offer the scale or remoteness of the higher Central Fells, but it has a clear identity of its own. The contrast between its steep, craggy western face and the more open upland behind it is central to understanding the fell. Its low altitude should not obscure the seriousness of the drops around the crag.

The views that make it well known

Walla Crag is best known as a viewpoint over Derwentwater. The lake and its islands form the foreground, with Catbells and the fells beyond the western shore providing a recognisable skyline. Keswick lies below to the north, backed by Skiddaw. This is a view in which water, woodland, town and fell can all be read together, rather than a panorama made up chiefly of distant summits.

Its position gives walkers a useful sense of the landscape around Keswick. Across the water, the western fells rise directly beyond the shore; southwards, the eye follows the lake towards Borrowdale. Changing light can shift the emphasis between the islands, wooded shores and surrounding ridges. The view is the main attraction, but the woodland beneath the crag is an equally important part of the fell's setting.

Walla Crag among the Central Fells

Walla Crag appears in The Central Fells, Book Three of Alfred Wainwright's seven-volume pictorial guide. It ranks 204th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its inclusion places a relatively low, lake-facing crag alongside the longer ridges and higher summits of the central district, reflecting the variety within this group.

Bleaberry Fell is its immediate higher neighbour, with High Seat farther south along the central uplands. Walks on Walla Crag range from outings focused on the viewpoint to longer days taking in higher ground. Its proximity to Keswick makes it a familiar choice for visitors, while the outlook rewards returning walkers just as readily as those seeing Derwentwater from above for the first time.

Where Walla Crag stands

Summit at grid reference NY276212 · open full map

The real Walla Crag

Walking Walla Crag

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Walla Crag from Keswick (keswick.org)
• Walla Crag Circular, Cumbria, England (alltrails.com)
• Walla Crag (andrewswalks.co.uk)

Weather on Walla Crag

Conditions estimated at summit height (379 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Walla Crag on your wall

A painting of Walla Crag can bring back more than the summit view: the dark edge of Great Wood, the shape of the islands, or light moving across Derwentwater. A print or canvas gives that familiar corner of the Lakes a place at home.

Own “Vivid Sunlight on Walla Crag” — our painting of Walla Crag → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Central Fells

• Bleaberry Fell 590 m
• High Seat 609 m
• High Tove 515 m
• Raven Crag 461 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.