I have done this walk, or parts of it, several times, so I'll describe the full route and indicate variations.

Leave Keswick on the Old Ambleside Road. Just before Manor Brow turn right along Springs Road (NY 271 230), and follow it up to the farm. The path goes to the left of the farm and passes through trees on the right bank of Brockle Beck, which falls away to the left in a small ravine. When the path leaves the trees at the top of the ravine, it splits.(NY 280 223) Turn right for Great Wood or ahead for Rakefoot and Walla Crag. Before long the path bears left and crosses the beck by a wooden bridge and then over a stile to the metalled road. Follow the road up to Rakefoot Farm and cross the beck by a bridge to the right of the farm. The path leads up to the left and follows what appears to be a cart track. Towards the top, you may find the remains of an iron grid in the track. This was installed by the army during the war when the fell was used as a training ground for tanks. The path now swings up to the right on grass, and after a couple of undulations reaches the summit of Walla Crag. Cross the wall by a stile, and go to the edge of the crag for some beautiful views over Derwent Water.

When we were staying in Keswick (Highbury, Blencathra Street) in November 1993, we woke on the Wednesday morning to a thick fog. Mark had to return home early because of work, and Bill, Jerry and I decided to do Walla Crag, hoping for an improvement in the weather. It was cold and dank as we walked through the back streets to the Old Ambleside Road, but at the television (?) mast at the top of Springs Wood, we suddenly emerged from the fog into bright sunshine! The views out towards Catbells were spectacular, with the whole valley filled with fog, looking just like a vast lake.

From here a path bears right for Ashness; not the one that goes sharp right for Cat Gill, but the one that at first heads towards Bleaberry Fell.
The first time I did this walk with Jerry in April 1993, our objective was Bleaberry Fell, but it was so hot that we went down to Ashness, back down the main road to Great Wood and joined our outward path near the mast.

Follow the path which heads left over boggy ground for Bleaberry Fell. You can make for either side of the fell. The official path goes to the right and climbs a stony path to the summit. There is no proper path to the left, but make for the depression between Bleaberry Fell and Castlerigg Fell, keeping to the right above the beck to avoid boggy ground. From the depression a simple stroll over grass leads to the summit.

The path for High Seat leads north form the summit and crosses some very boggy ground before climbing on more rocky ground. The worst bits of bog can be avoided by keeping to the left whenever a choice arises. I have always been intrigued by the 'Threefooted Brandreth' marked on the O.S. map! The summit of High Seat is a first class view point, with all the major fells visible on a clear day. On that November day I mentioned earlier, we sat against the summit rocks in shirt sleeves, enjoying the sun.

From the summit, you can go down to Ashness via Ashness Gill, which is what we did in November '94, catching the last boat from Ashness back to Keswick, where the sun was setting over Derwent Water Dont follow the path straight ahead, which goes steeply down Cat Gill, but take the one which goes due south.(NY 276 211)

If your destination is High Tove, follow the path north from the summit. The ground between High Seat and High Tove is possibly the most unpleasant I have come across in the whole of the Lake District, eclipsing even the Great Moss in Eskdale and The Bog in Wythburn.

At one particularly bad spot, I detoured several hundred yards to the left and only sank to my ankles. Jerry tried the direct route, with disastrous consequences, sinking up to the tops of both legs!

Leave High Tove quickly; it is not a beautiful spot in which to linger, and head right and down to Watendlath. We always stop for a cup of tea here, and watch the incredibly tame chaffinches. Refreshments completed, follow the path down the valley to Ashness Bridge.

When I used to come here with my parents in the 1950s, there used to be a war veteran at the gate. You gave him a penny, and he would open the gate for you. Both he and the gate have disappeared now.

Follow the metalled road from Ashness Bridge to the main Borrowdale road, where you can take a launch back to Keswick.
When we did the complete round in April '96, we missed the last boat and had to walk back along the lake shore. It had started to rain by then, and we were glad to get back, although the lake shore path is very pleasant. I we hadn't had that second cup of tea at Watendlath, or stopped to take a group photo for a party of Germans at Surprise View, we might have caught the boat. Such is life!