Old Cumbria Gazetteer - track, Seathwaite to Wasdale Head

track, Seathwaite to Wasdale Head

Seathwaite to Wasdale Head

Wasdale Head to Seathwaite

civil parish:-

Borrowdale (formerly Cumberland)

civil parish:-

Eskdale (formerly Cumberland)

county:-

Cumbria

locality type:-

track route

10Km square:-

NY21

10Km square:-

NY20

10Km square:-

NY10

evidence:-

old map:- Otley 1818

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833.

OT02NY21.jpg

evidence:-

descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834)
item:- viewpoint; road distances; itinerary

source data:-

Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.

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Page 129:- "KESWICK TO WAST WATER."

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"... Beyond Seathwaite, the road becomes a mere track, fit only for horses accustomed to the country. A waterfall presents itself to view on the right; and after crossing a rude bridge, the ascent of the mountain is commenced by a winding path. On passing a piece of water called Sty Head Tarn, the bold and lofty crag of Great End appears on the left; and beyond it, in towering majesty, the highest of the Pikes, rendered more conspicuous by an object lately erected in the prosecution of the Trigonometrical Survey. Great Gable is close upon the right; but the grandeur of its form is better appreciated at a distance. The highest part of the road at Sty Head"

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Page 130:- "is 1250 feet above the first house in the vale, and here a magnificent view presents itself: the small valley of Wasdale Head appearing as if sunk below the general level, and the sea at a distance seeming to rise in the horizon. The lake of Wast Water is not yet in sight, being hid by a projecting mountain on the left, called Lingmell. A steep zigzag track now descends on the side of Gable, down which the horses may be led; as it is neither quite safe nor agreeable to ride. Crags of the most grotesque forms overlook the road, and the side of the hill is profusely strewed with stones, in some of which garnets may be found imbedded: and in crossing the stream which issues between Gable and Kirkfell, a rock of reddish granite may be seen, where it is denudated by the waters on both sides of the road."

Miles.		Miles.
...
1	Seathwaite	9
3	Sty Head	12
2	Wasdale Head	14
6	Nether Wasdale, Strands	20
4	Gosforth	24
...

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