Illgill Head

Illgill Head
Marilyn, Wainwright
Coordinates	54°25′58″N 3°16′57″W / 54.4327°N 3.28257°W / 54.4327; -3.28257
Geography
Illgill Head Location in the Lake District Show map of the Lake District Illgill Head Location in Copeland Borough Show map of the former Borough of Copeland
Location	Cumbria, England
Parent range	Lake District, Southern Fells
OS grid	NY169049
Topo map	OS Landranger 89, Explorer OL6

Illgill Head is a

, the deepest lake in England.

Topography

The panorama of the Wastwater Screes across Wastwater is one of the most famous and awe-inspiring views in

, is much gentler and covered in heather and bracken.

Geology

The summit area has outcropping tuff, lapilli-tuff and breccia of the Lingmell Formation amid the drift deposits. The crags atop the Screes reveal the plagioclase-phyric andesite lavas of the Birker Fell Formation.^[1]

Summit

The summit is a flat sheepwalk, giving no clue to the drama of the Screes. North-west from the cairn the grassy plateau gradually tilts, until a few yards away it simply disappears over the brink. Illgill Head is a fine viewpoint for Wasdale Head, the surrounding fells all appearing as they soar up from the dalehead. Nearer views, with care, are possible down the Screes themselves.

• Panorama

Ascent

Illgill Head is commonly ascended from Wasdale Head over the north-eastern shoulder of the fell, skirting the edge of the Screes. There is also an ascent from Boot in Eskdale either over Whin Rigg or direct via Burnmoor Tarn. A lakeside path along the south-eastern shore of Wastwater starts at Wasdale Head Hall and continues through the boulder field with exhilarating close-up views of the Screes.

References

• A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, The Southern Fells, Alfred Wainwright,
  ISBN 0-7112-2230-4