Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) *200th Wainwright*

DATE 04.06.2026 | DISTANCE approx 5.8KM approx | HIGHEST POINT 550M

Posted by Matt | Filed under lake district

 

Download GPX file

 

I Did very little research on this hike. it was squeezed in on our final day in the lakes. This afterthought hike turned out to be fantastic. plenty of drama, epic 360 summit views and we didn't see anybody until the end!

 

Heading towards Stonethwaite, a tiny village in borrowdale. we parked up at the side of this road a bit further back. there was plenty of roadside parking. Eagle Crag (back middle).

stonethwaite

out the other side of the village and heading towards the stonethwaite farm campsite.

when you reach the entrance to the campsite, you will see this gate, opposite.

following the track to the left of big stanger gill

taking a break at a clearing about half way up.

pushing on, steep but a really pretty route.

Looking back down to borrowdale.

The route becomes more dramatic. a bit precarious in places but we really enjoyed every minute of this ascent,

more dramatic views on this gem of an ascent,

over the stile and continuing to follow the gill around to the right.

We climbed out of the gill and looked back to these rocks. i'm surprised they are not named on the Os mAP.

APPROACHING BESSYBOOT (RIGHT)

BESSYBOOT SUMMIT. WE HAVENT SEEN ANYBODY ELSE YET.

VIEWS FROM BESSYBOOT. STUNNING IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

LOOKING NORTH FROM BESSYBOOT TOWARDS BORROWDALE.

ROSTHWAITE CAM FROM BESSYBOOT.

I'M SURPRISED ROSTHWAITE CAM ISN'T A WAINWRIGHT. ONCE I'VE FINISHED THE WAINWRIGHT'S I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO CLIMB IT.

HEADING BACK DOWN NOW, NEAR TO ROTTENSTONE GILL.

LOOKGIN DOWN TO ROSTHWAITE VILLAGE. DERWENT WATER JUST VISIBLE IN THE DISTANCE.

A PASSING HELICOPTER OVER BORROWDALE.