Walla Crag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walla Crag |
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Walla Crag from Hause Gate on the
opposite side of Derwent Water |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 379 m (1,243 ft) |
| Prominence | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Parent peak | Bleaberry Fell |
| Listing | Wainwright |
| Geography | |
 Walla Crag
Location in Lake District
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Central Fells |
| OS grid | NY276212 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL4 |
Walla Crag is a cool fell (which means a hill or mountain) in the beautiful Lake District in England. It's super close to the town of Keswick. You can easily walk to Walla Crag from Keswick, and it gives you amazing views over Derwentwater, a big lake!
Contents
What is Walla Crag Like?
Walla Crag is like a big, steep rock face that's part of a short ridge. This ridge stretches northwest from another fell called Bleaberry Fell. The crag drops about 400 feet from the flat land above it. Below the crag, the slopes are very steep. Then, they get less steep as they reach the edge of Derwentwater lake.
The front of Walla Crag is covered in lots of trees, mostly tall, pointy conifers. These trees go all the way down through an area called Great Wood to the lake. There's one main break in the crag called Lady's Rake.
The very top of Walla Crag is a bit set back from the edge. This area is covered in smooth, purple heather. From here, the ground gently slopes down to a wide, low area called Low Moss. Beyond Low Moss, the ground rises up again towards Bleaberry Fell.
To the south of Walla Crag, there's a stream called Cat Gill. It flows west from Low Moss down to the lake. This stream separates Walla Crag from Falcon Crag, which is a popular spot for people who like to climb rocks. Another stream, Brockle Beck, flows north from Low Moss. It then turns west and enters Derwentwater at a spot called Strandshag Bay.
What is Walla Crag Made Of?
The rocks you can see on Walla Crag are made of a type of lava called plagioclase-phyric andesite. This lava is part of something called the Birker Fell Formation. The very top of the fell is covered by loose dirt and rocks left behind by glaciers long ago.
Amazing Views from the Top
At the very top of Walla Crag, you'll find a big pile of stones called a cairn. From here, you get incredible views! You can see the islands dotted across the northern part of Derwentwater lake. You can also see the whole Vale of Keswick, which is the valley where the town of Keswick is located. Plus, you get a clear view straight down Borrowdale valley to the really tall fells in the distance.
How to Walk Up Walla Crag
Walla Crag is a great choice for a short walk, maybe for half a day or an evening, if you're staying in Keswick. You can walk up it in a few ways:
- You can follow a path along Brockle Beck.
- You can go through Great Wood, which involves walking under the crag's face.
- You can climb up via Cat Gill.
- There's also a clear path that connects Walla Crag to Bleaberry Fell, so you can walk between the two.
How Tall is Walla Crag?
For a long time, people who loved walking in the fells remembered Walla Crag's height as a simple 1,234 feet. It was easy to remember! Just like Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, was once known as 3,210 feet. However, the Ordnance Survey, which makes maps, has done more recent measurements. Now, Walla Crag is officially a little bit taller, at 1,243 feet!
