Wray Gill

Guide to scrambling Wray Gill west of Grasmere in the central Lake District. Summary: a good solid grade 1+ scramble with a nice variety of cascades and short, steep falls though overgrown in places.

Route in: 555 or 599 bus to Grasmere, or park at Red Bank car park; walk along Red Bank then west along the footpath to Chapel Stile; turn off right/north-west at OS map ref NY 33019 07060 until the path crosses Wray Gill

Start point: enter Wray Gill and start to scramble at the path crossing point: NY 32743 07273

Grading: lots of grade 1 scrambling and the odd 1.5/2 pitch, all of which would be more difficult after wet weather

Notes: it is possible to enter the gill lower down, somewhere near NY 32920 07239 but it is overgrown and unclear if this is meant to be accessible; there are some grade 1 pitches and a single grade 1.5-2.5 in this lower section

End point: at or a short way after a path crosses the gill around NY 32444 07201; after just over 300 ft of ascent

Route out: take the cross-path north-east and either keep following it down to Scorecrag west of Allan Bank and then turn right back to Grasmere, or turn fairly sharp right at NY 32687 07518 to link up to the approach route

Map link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/wray-gill-scramble-fec8d47

Time: 25 mins from CP to start point; 40 mins for the scramble (20 mins extra if you start lower down); 30 mins to walk back via Scorecrag

Combine with: Blindtarn Gill; Sourmilk Gill; Belles Knott; Far Easedale Gill

Gear: drybag and wetsuit only needed after rains

Verdict: a good solid grade 1+ scramble with a nice variety of cascades and short, steep falls though overgrown in places

Category: Standard scramble

Score: 7/10

Video guide: