Hause Riggs, Seat Sandal - Coast to Coast
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Hause Riggs on the southern face of Seat Sandal – volcanic outcrop on the Coast to Coast path from Grasmere to Grisedale Tarn.
Hause Riggs Ridge - Grasmere to Grisedale Tarn
Hause Riggs is a prominent outcrop of andesite lava forming the upper section of Great Tongue, the long, narrow ridge extending north from the slopes of Seat Sandal towards Mill Bridge on the outskirts of Grasmere. The Coast to Coast path follows this ridge on its climb from Little Tongue before contouring around Hause Riggs, one mile short of Grisedale Tarn. The outcrop marks a notable change in the terrain — from grassy ridgeland to open volcanic rock, signalling the approach to the higher fells of Fairfield and Dollywaggon Pike.
Hause Riggs Ridge
The Coast to Coast path ascends over Little Tongue before meeting an alternative route that climbs to the east of Great Tongue. Both merge on the upper slopes of Hause Riggs — the volcanic ridge forming the southern shoulder of Seat Sandal — before continuing north toward Grisedale Tarn.
Hause Riggs to Fairfield
The Coast to Coast path follows the crest of Hause Riggs, aiming directly toward Fairfield before veering west around Gavel Crag to join the route from the east of Great Tongue. This short andesite ridge, about a third of a mile long, commands steep views down to the Great Tongue valley with Great Rigg forming the backdrop.
Hause Riggs and Great Tongue
Looking back from the upper ridge of Hause Riggs reveals the deep hollow of the Great Tongue valley below. The two ridges — Great Tongue to the east and Hause Riggs to the west — form parallel spurs descending from Seat Sandal, divided by the headwaters of Tongue Gill.
Great Tongue and Little Tongue
From the upper path on Hause Riggs, there’s a commanding view down the twin spurs of Great Tongue and Little Tongue, descending toward the pale meadows of the Rothay Valley. To the east rise Fairfield’s steep, rain-scored slopes — deep gullies carved by centuries of Lakeland weather.
Coast to Coast Merger
At the northern end of Hause Riggs, the Coast to Coast route meets its alternative path rising from the east of Great Tongue. From here the trail bends north, threading between Hause Moss and the cliffs of Gavel Crag before continuing its ascent toward Hause Gap and Grisedale Tarn.
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