A difficult route in Central Fells. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: Red Bank car park, Grasmere (NY 335 073)
Terrain: Road, lane, path, footbridge, New Bridge, path around Ecton Crag, Greathead Crag, Tarn Crag summit, faint path across open fell, Sergeant Man summit, path southeast, Blea Rigg summit, winding ridge path, Little Castle How, Silver How summit, steep descent, path past Kelbarrow, Red Bank Road NAVIGATION WARNING — EASEDALE JUNCTION: At approximately NY 330 081, look for the National Trust Easedale sign. Keep left at this sign — it is easy to miss if you are not paying attention, and continuing without turning will take you the wrong way. Left is the golden rule at this junction. NAVIGATION WARNING — TARN CRAG TO SERGEANT MAN: The path west from Tarn Crag fades and then disappears entirely on the approach to Sergeant Man. Good navigation skills are required across this section. A compass bearing is strongly recommended in poor visibility. The walking ground is reasonably firm but the path is indistinct or absent for much of the way.
A satisfying circuit above Grasmere linking four Wainwrights across the broad upland between Easedale and Langdale — three new ticks and one welcome revisit. The approach up Easedale is a pleasure in itself, the valley one of the finest short walks from Grasmere and the path to the higher ground well constructed and clear. The upper section around Ecton Crag and up to Tarn Crag is less frequented than the main Helvellyn routes and has a genuine sense of quiet and remoteness about it. The crossing from Tarn Crag to Sergeant Man across pathless or near-pathless ground is the walk's most demanding navigational challenge — compass out and confidence required — but the reward is a summit of outstanding quality with views across the entire central Lake District. The ridge south and east from Sergeant Man through Blea Rigg to Silver How is excellent walking throughout, winding and varied with views of Easedale Tarn, Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes at almost every turn. Silver How makes a fine finish — the view down to Grasmere from this modest height is one of the most celebrated in the southern Lake District, and the descent back to the Red Bank Road is steep but clear and direct.