Seatallan is one of Wainwright's Western Fells to the west of Wastwater (apologies if that seems something of tongue twister). It occupies a position that attracts relatively few visitors, who are chiefly drawn to the Mosedale Horseshoe to the north and Scafells to the west. A quiet place then, to enjoy a Wainwright walk in this Lake District outpost. It is a rounded, grassy fell with a large section of craggy ramparts called Buckbarrow, classified as a separate fell by Wainwright. Wainwright baggers therefore, would be mad not to make sure they ticked both off their Wainwright maps if taking a Seatallan walk.

It is unusual to make a direct climb of Seatallan. It is perfectly possible but involves deliberately missing out Buckbarrow or nearby Middle Fell. It is as easy to approach Seatallan via Buckbarrow starting from Harrow Head, while from Greendale, the path goes over Middle Fell before reaching the summit of Seatallan. A very pleasant walk can be had by hitting all three of these Wainwright tops in one morning or afternoon.

Although you can West Cumbria's nuclear power station from the summit of Seatallan, something Wainwright described as 'a grotesque collection of towers and minarets of the Calder Hall atomic power station', it is unwise to let this spoil your walk given it is many miles away and hardly dominates the panorama. Far better to turn your back on it and enjoy the great views of the Scafells and Coniston Fells, as well as the sights of Great Gable, Great End and Kirk Fell.

Further information about Seatallan walks can be found in Book Seven: The Western Fells, by A. Wainwright, a volume of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells

Seatallan - Photograph by Stewart Smith Photography