Thirlmere Reservoir – View of Thirlmere loop from Legburthwaite

Hiking trails & Routes

St John'S Castlerigg And Wythburn

Thirlmere Reservoir – View of Thirlmere loop from Legburthwaite

Easy

4.7

(29)

320

hikers

Thirlmere Reservoir – View of Thirlmere loop from Legburthwaite

01:08

2.50km

240m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

11 m

Thirlmere Reservoir

Highlight • Natural Monument

Once a smaller, natural lake, Thirlmere is a reservoir that was created in the 19th century to supply water to the burgeoning industrial powerhouse of Manchester. The reservoir occupies the valley between the huge Helvellyn range to the east and the Central Fells to the west.

The car park here can be used to access Raven Crag, which rewards with a glorious view along the length of Thirlmere.

Tip by

355 m

View of Rocky Cliff in Lake District National Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

1.06 km

View of Lake District Valley and River

Highlight • Lake

It can be a hard walk up but on a nice day it's beaten to be in the woods listening to the birds, there's some great spots to stop and take photos before you reach the top where the views are stunning.

Tip by

1.13 km

Raven Crag Summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

Reaching the top, you will be treated by beautiful views reaching as far east as Helvellyn and as far west as Skiddaw. Perfect place for a picnic or watching for RAF planes.

Tip by

1.14 km

View of Thirlmere from Raven Crag

Highlight • Viewpoint

For Wainwright baggers this fell is rather unusual, it's not often you get a planked walk-way to the summit of a Lake District fell! This is a popular fell with a wonderful 'surprise' view over Thirlmere. I've never hiked this fell the traditional way (which is popular with families), I've always taken a pathless slog down from the High Seat range to tag Raven Crag onto a much longer walk.

Tip by

1.23 km

Boardwalk and Steps to Raven Crag

Highlight • Summit

One of the alluring aspects of the Wainwright Fells is the manner with which you can escape to remote feeling places that seem as though they are far from human intrusion. The final ascent to Raven Crag does not share this wild feel.

This is because of the boardwalks and steps that have been installed to help walkers access the summit. If it were the norm across the national park, this would be something to scorn. However, as it is quite a rarity, there's a certain charm to this unique path.

Tip by

1.55 km