Peak Bagging Wainwrights - Sample Pages

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE

PEAK

BAGGING WAINWRIGHTS 45 ROUTES DESIGNED TO COMPLETE ALL 214 OF WAINWRIGHT’S LAKE DISTRICT FELLS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY

KAREN & DAN PARKER FOREWORD BY STEVE BIRKINSHAW

DOWNLOADABLE GPX FILES 1:40,000-SCALE CUSTOM MAPS CUSTOM TIMINGS FOR WALKERS, TREKKERS, FASTPACKERS & TRAIL RUNNERS

PEAK BAGGING WAINWRIGHTS

45 ROUTES DESIGNED TO COMPLETE ALL 214 OF WAINWRIGHT’S LAKE DISTRICT FELLS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY

KAREN & DAN PARKER

Vertebrate Publishing, Sheffield www.v-publishing.co.uk

PEAK BAGGING WAINWRIGHTS

45 ROUTES DESIGNED TO COMPLETE ALL 214 OF WAINWRIGHT’S LAKE DISTRICT FELLS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY

First published in 2021 by Vertebrate Publishing.

VERTEBRATE PUBLISHING Omega Court, 352 Cemetery Road, Sheffield S11 8FT, United Kingdom. www.v-publishing.co.uk Copyright © 2021 Karen and Dan Parker and Vertebrate Publishing Ltd. Karen and Dan Parker have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as authors of this work.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-1-83981-102-9 (Paperback) ISBN 978-1-83981-103-6 (Ebook) All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanised, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without the written permission of the publisher.

Front cover: Winter on Cat Bells and Skiddaw, Dale Head Horseshoe. © Jason Chambers Photography – www.photolakedistrict.co.uk Back cover (L–R): Descending from Silver How. © Stephen Ross; Great Landgale from Pike o’ Blisco. © Andrew Locking – andrewswalks.co.uk; Summit of High Seat. © Stephen Ross; Head of Ullswater on the descent from Angletarn Pikes. © Andrew Locking – andrewswalks.co.uk; Summit of Whiteside. © Andrew Locking – andrewswalks.co.uk; Hall’s Fell Ridge off Blencathra. © Kirsty Reade; Summit of Whin Rigg. © Andrew Locking – andrewswalks.co.uk; Summit of Gowbarrow Fell. © Stephen Ross.

Individual photography as credited.

Mapping contains data from OS © Crown copyright and database right (2021) and © OpenStreetMap contributors, Openstreetmap.org/copyright Relief shading produced from data derived from U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Program.

Cartography by Richard Ross, Active Maps Ltd. www.activemaps.co.uk Design by Jane Beagley, production by Cameron Bonser. www.v-publishing.co.uk Printed and bound in Europe by Latitude Press.

Vertebrate Publishing is committed to printing on paper from sustainable sources.

Every effort has been made to achieve accuracy of the information in this guidebook. The authors, publishers and copyright owners can take no responsibility for: loss or injury (including fatal) to persons; loss or damage to property or equipment; trespass, irresponsible behaviour or any other mishap that may be suffered as a result of following the route descriptions or advice offered in this guidebook. The inclusion of a track or path as part of a route, or otherwise recommended, in this guidebook does not guarantee that the track or path will remain a right of way.

If conflict with landowners arises we advise that you act politely and leave by the shortest route available.

If the matter needs to be taken further then please take it up with the relevant authority.

NORTHERN FELLS

EASTERN FELLS

NORTH-WESTERN FELLS

FAR-EASTERN FELLS

WESTERN FELLS

CENTRAL FELLS

SOUTHERN FELLS

Contents

Introduction by Steve Birkinshaw vi About the book viii Safety xi

Northern Fells

Eastern Fells

01 Fairfield Horseshoe 19.1km 9 ��������������������������������� 5 02 Glenridding Horseshoe 16.4km 7 �������������������������� 9 03 Deepdale Horseshoe 16.5km 6 ��������������������������� 13 04 The Dodds 18.1km 5 ���������������������������������������������� 17 05 The Dunmail Loop 12.5km 4 ��������������������������������� 21 06 A Tour of Matterdale 16.1km 3 ���������������������������� 25

Far Eastern Fells

07 Hayeswater Circuit 18.7km 9 �������������������������������� 08 Troutbeck 19.4km 7 ����������������������������������������������� 09 Fusedale Circuit 15.0km 6 ������������������������������������ 10 Kirkstone North 15.4km 6 ������������������������������������� 11 Mardale Skyline 16.9km 5 ������������������������������������� 12 Longsleddale 12.6km 4 ���������������������������������������� 13 Angle Tarn & Boredale 17.7km 4 �������������������������

33 37 41 45 49 53 57

Central Fells

14 The Langdale Pikes 11.6km 7 ������������������������������� 65 15 Above Thirlmere 21.4km 7 ����������������������������������� 69 16 Grasmere Common 17.2km 6 ������������������������������ 75 17 Stonethwaite Fells 17.9km 5 �������������������������������� 79

Southern Fells

18 The Coniston Fells 17.8km 6 �������������������������������� 87 19 Langdale West 17.5km 5 �������������������������������������� 91 20 The Scafells 13.1km 4 ������������������������������������������� 95 21 Langdale South 13.8km 3 ������������������������������������� 99 22 Borrowdale Fells 16.3km 3 ��������������������������������� 103 23 Hardknott Round 17.6km 3 �������������������������������� 107 24 Encircling Elter Water 20.0km 3 �������������������������� 111 25 Tilberthwaite Round 13.6km 2 ���������������������������� 115 26 Above & Below Wasdale Screes 17.1km 2 ��������� 119

27 Uldale Fells & Binsey 19.5km 6 ��������������������������� 127 28 Blencathra Fells 17.2km 5 ������������������������������������ 131 29 Underskiddaw 18.0km 5 �������������������������������������� 135 30 Northern Skiddaw Horseshoe 13.3km 4 ������������ 139 31 Caldbeck Fells & Calva 20.9km 4 ������������������������ 143

North-Western Fells

32 Wythop Wanderings 19.9km 7 ���������������������������� 153 33 Grasmoor & More 15.7km 6 �������������������������������� 159 34 Dale Head Horseshoe 15.4km 5 ������������������������� 163 35 Coledale Horseshoe 14.5km 5 ���������������������������� 167 36 A Newlands Round 15.9km 5 ������������������������������ 171

Western Fells

37 Loweswater Loop 18.0km 5 ��������������������������������� 179 38 North of Wast Water 14.6km 5 ���������������������������� 183 39 The Tops of Warnscale Bottom 11.1km 4 ���������� 187 40 The Gables 11.8km 4 ������������������������������������������� 191 41 Kinniside Common 20.7km 4 ������������������������������ 195 42 West of Crummock Water 16.0km 4 ������������������� 199 43 Greendale Horseshoe 9.7km 3 �������������������������� 203 44 The High Stile Ridge 14.1km 3 �������������������������� 207 45 Kirk Fell & Pillar 12.7km 2 ������������������������������������ 211

The Wainwrights in One 214 Appendix 220

Download the GPX files from

www.v-publishing.co.uk/wainwrights-GPX

9

= Number of Wainwrights on route

v

PEAK BAGGING: WAINWRIGHTS

Introduction

by Steve Birkinshaw

The fells of the Lake District inspired Alfred Wain­ wright, and he wrote seven guidebooks detailing the different areas within the Lake District and the peaks which populate them. Over the seven books he studied 214 peaks, and these ‘Wainwrights’ have now become the definitive list for anyone wanting to visit the summits of all the fells in the Lake District.

Living in the Lake District, close to the fells, every day when I walk out of my house I am greeted by a view of Blencathra and the five ridges sweeping down to the valley. This view always makes me happy, and like Wainwright inspires me to go out and climb them. I enjoy being out on the fells whatever the weather, whether walking or running, and being out there gives me a lift, helps me to relax and makes me a better person: it replaces my stress with calmness, and any problems I have become much less of an issue. From rocky fells like Scafell

Pike and Great Gable to boggy ones like Armboth Fell and Mungrisdale Common, I enjoy them all.

In 2014 I successfully completed all 214 Wain­ wrights in a record time of 6 days, 13 hours and 1 minute. During those six days there were some amazing highs and lows. Lows including being sick on the first day due to sweating so much in the heat and humidity as well as having drunk so much liquid to stay hydrated. Another massive low was trying to get moving on the fourth and fifth days, when my whole body had stiffened up and ached, and the blisters on both my feet were deteriorating – each step was agony. However, the highlights included running in the dark along the edge of Ennerdale Water, the reflection of the moon on the water, and watching as the dawn crept over the third day on the Coniston Fells. The biggest highlight was running up to the finish at Moot Hall in Keswick, with lots

Whiteless Pike and Butteremere. © Andrew Locking – andrewswalks.co.uk

vi

INTRODUCTION BY STEVE BIRKINSHAW

of people gathered to cheer me on and my family waiting to give me a big hug. Watching the footage of my arrival back in Keswick still makes me happy to this day.

Since completing the Wainwrights in record time I have been ticking them off again, albeit in a very different way, by walking them with my family.

Walking them at a slower pace has given me a different appreciation of the fells: I get more time to enjoy the views and the changing weather, as well as seeing the plants and animals that I miss when running. We started doing the easier ones when our children were young, with very slow ascents of Cat Bells and Hallin Fell, but now they are older we can do long days, and have done several of the routes in this book. We always have an enjoyable day out, and plan our routes to finish the day near a cafe so we can enjoy a cup of tea and cake afterwards. We now have fewer than 80 to do as a family. Taking it slow also means I have come to appreciate why some the Wainwright summits are located not at the highest point, but sometimes in what appear to be strange places – of course, Wainwright chose the points with the best views.

It took me ages to find what I hoped would be the optimum route to complete the Wainwrights in record time. I started with the route of the previous record holder, Joss Naylor, but I thought it could be improved. So, being a map geek, I spent many nights thinking about joining 214 dots together in the most efficient order, in a loop that would start and finish in Keswick. Having devised what I thought was a good route, I sought the advice of the two people I knew could make the route even better: Karen and Dan Parker, the authors of this book and my sister and brother-in-law. They have an expert knowledge of the fells and the routes between them, as well as the skill to be able to look at a map and work out the shortest distance from one place to another with the least climbing. After their input and another iteration by me, I eventually settled on a route I was happy with – 519 kilometres with 35,000

Sail Beck. © Andrew Locking – andrewswalks.co.uk

metres of ascent (16 kilometres and 2,000 metres less ascent than Joss Naylor’s route). This route has now just about become the standard for doing a continuous round of the Wainwrights, and is shown at the end of this book (page 219). I made one error in planning my route, in that Seat Sandal I placed in a section with Fairfield whereas actually it is more efficient to complete it in a section with Helvellyn.

Some people also tick off Middle Fell and Seatallan the other way round, and similarly complete Scafell Pike and Lingmell the opposite way I followed.

Despite this, the route has now become popular with runners attempting new records – at the time of writing, the current record is held by Sabrina Verjee, with a time of 5 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, completed in June 2021.

Karen and Dan Parker have used their extensive local knowledge and route-planning skills to do a fantastic job picking out 45 routes around all of Wainwright’s peaks. I hope this book and the routes contained within it inspire you to get out and enjoy the fells, and that they bring you as much happiness as they have brought me.

Steve Birkinshaw

vii

PEAK BAGGING: WAINWRIGHTS

About the book What is a Wainwright?

How to use this book

A Wainwright is one of the 214 fells described by Alfred Wainwright in his seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, published between 1955 and 1966. The guides describe the Lake District fells, routes and summits, although the highest point is not always the Wainwright summit. The biggest Wainwright is England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike (978 metres), and the smallest, the only one below 300 metres, is Borrowdale’s Castle Crag (290 metres).

The 45 routes in this book are divided into seven sections, reflecting Wainwright’s guides, although sometimes, for convenience, a Wainwright appears outside its original section. Each route is divided into sections by timing points; each Wainwright is a timing point but timing points are also occasionally placed on road crossings or path junctions where the route might be shortened or left. In addition to a detailed description and inspiring photography, the following information is provided for each route.

About the routes This book contains 45 circular routes which visit all 214 Wainwrights; Hart Crag, Fairfield and High Street are visited more than once. The routes are designed as day walks, which should take approximately eight hours or less to hike – although trekkers, fastpackers or trail runners will complete them more quickly, or might choose to tackle more than one route in a day.

The longest route, Caldbeck Fells and Calva, is 20.9 kilometres and the shortest route, the Greendale Horseshoe, is 9.7 kilometres. All the routes visit more than one Wainwright, and most take in five or more.

The Hayeswater Circuit visits nine Wainwrights, with an optional tenth. The routes can all be tackled by a competent hillwalker, fastpacker or trail runner and require no climbing. However, technical terrain, short scrambles and exposed edges are sometimes encountered, and some of these routes are best tackled only in good weather.

The book also provides a map of the route used by Steve Birkinshaw on his record-breaking continuous circuit of all 214 Wainwright fells in 2014, a route that has formed the basis for subsequent record-breaking attempts (page 219).

viii

• A short summary.

• An overview map highlighting the Wainwrights en route.

• Details of the start location, route length and ascent.

• Essential information on public transport, parking and refreshments.

• An elevation profile.

• A detailed 1:40,000-scale route map, showing the route as well as timing points, parking, public transport, refreshments, hostels and bothies.

• Cumulative ascents, descents and lengths for each route section.

• Timings for each route section, and for the complete route, for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners.

Within each section, the trails are presented in order of number of Wainwrights on the route; where there are several routes with the same number of Wainwrights in a section, they are ordered from shortest to longest. Ordnance Survey grid references and what3words locations (what3words.com) are provided for parking, public transport, refreshment providers and all timing points, including the start; in addition, WGS84 latitude and longitude are provided for the start and all other timing points.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Walk, trek, fastpack, run To give you an indication of how long each route may take, we have identified four user groups: Walkers, Trekkers, Fastpackers and Trail runners.

The Jones–Ross formula has been developed that modernises and develops Naismith’s rule to provide realistic timings for each user group.

All user groups move at different speeds and have a higher flat speed than ascent and descent speeds, but they also move at different rates in ascent and descent.

Walkers move at a flat speed of around five kilometres per hour and move more quickly while descending than ascending.

Trekkers move at a flat speed of around six kilometres per hour and move more quickly while descending than they do while ascending.

Fastpackers, who typically run on some sections of routes and walk on others, move at a flat speed of around eight kilometres per hour and move more quickly while descending than they do while ascending.

Trail runners move at a flat speed of around ten kilometres per hour and move far more quickly while descending than they do while ascending.

The Jones–Ross formula assumes average speeds – heavy kit, adverse weather conditions, your particular strengths in ascent or descent and tired legs may all impact on your actual pace. As you follow the routes, you will quickly learn to adjust the timings provided by the Jones–Ross formula to fit your qualities of movement out on the fells.

The Jones–Ross formula in detail Expressed in words, the Jones–Ross formula is: time

=

distance flat speed

+

adjustment for ascent

+

adjustment for descent

More precisely, it can be expressed as: time (minutes)

=

distance (km) flat speed (km per hour)/60

+

vertical ascent (metres) vertical ascent speed (metres per hour)/60

+

vertical descent (metres) vertical descent speed (metres per hour)/60

The flat speeds and vertical ascent and descent speeds for the four user groups are shown in Table 1.

Flat speed (km per hour)

Vertical ascent speed (metres ascended per hour)

Vertical descent speed (metres descended per hour)

Walker

5

425

600

Trekker

6

450

750

Fastpacker

8

600

1000

Trail runner

10

1000

2000

Table 1

ix

e

PEAK BAGGING: WAINWRIGHTS

Navigation The route descriptions and maps provided in this book give detailed information on the route, but you may want to download the GPX files for each route to your navigation device. Do not rely on a single form of navigation. Mobile signals may be intermittent and electronic devices may be broken or lose charge; paper maps may be damaged or lost. It is advisable to always carry a map (along with a compass), which will also provide you with a fuller picture of the surrounding area, and can be useful if you need to find an alternative route. The routes in S Start this book are covered by four maps in the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 series: S

Alternative Start

• Ordnance Survey Explorer OL4 (1:25,000) Route Direction The English Lakes, North-Western area TP • Ordnance Survey Explorer OL5 (1:25,000) 2 Timing Point The English Lakes, North-Eastern area • Ordnance Survey Explorer OL6 (1:25,000) YEWBARROW Wainwright The English Lakes, South-Western area P Parking • Ordnance Survey Explorer OL7 (1:25,000) The English Lakes, South-Eastern area Thornthwaite Crag. © John Coefield

s (include??)

Bus Stop

d / ForestMap legend

Train Stop

h (include??)

S

Start Start

outcrops, cragsS (include??)

Alternative start Start Alternative

de??)

Route direction Route Direction TP 2

YEWBARROW P

Wainwright Wainwright

Campsite Site Camp

Parking Parking

Bothy Bothy

Bus stop Bus Stop

Point of interest Point of interest

Pub Cafe

Path Track Track

Track Track (include??)

Roads Roads (include??)

Roads (include??)

Roads (include??)

Wood Forest Wood/forest Wood // Forest Wood / Forest Marsh (include??)

Marsh (include??)

Marsh (include??)

Marsh Rock outcrops, crags (in Rock crags (include Rock outcrops, crags (in Rock outcrops, outcrops

Cafe Cafe Hostel Hostel

Ferry Terminal x

Pub Pub

Timing point Timing Point

Train stop Train Stop

Route Route Route Path Path Route Path Path

Ferry terminal Ferry Terminal

Track

30 0 300 30 30 00 30 260 26 26 00 26 0 260

Contours atat 20m Contours 20m intervals Contours at 20m interva Contours at 20m interva

Contours at 20m interva

SAFETY

Safety Before beginning any of these routes, it is important to ensure you are fully prepared for changeable conditions both in terms of weather and underfoot.

In addition to appropriate footwear and waterproof and windproof outerwear, take sufficient clothing, a first aid kit, extra food and drink, and a bivvy bag or emergency shelter. Trekking poles can provide stability and security on steep ground or slippery footpaths.

Leave details of your route with a person who knows what to do if you have not returned by a certain time.

Beware of ticks and carry a removal tool. Always seek medical advice if you think you have been bitten.

Mountain rescue

Always carry a mobile phone on the fells in order to alert emergency services in the event of an accident. 999 is the British emergency number; you should ask for POLICE – MOUNTAIN RESCUE. Phone signal can be intermittent over much of the Lake District. Although primarily aimed at deaf and speech impaired people, EmergencySMS can be used by anyone, if your service provider supports it, to contact the emergency services – useful if you have low battery or intermittent signal. It requires registration: text ‘register’ to 999 and then follow the instructions in the reply. EmergencySMS should only be used when voice call contact with emergency services is not possible.

Mountain and other countryside rescue services in Great Britain and Ireland are provided as part of national emergency services and by voluntary organisations. Organisations such as Mountain Rescue are charitable organisations, financed by public donation and reliant entirely on volunteers.

In the event of needing to call for rescue, be prepared to provide details about what has happened and your location, preferably as a six-figure grid reference; make sure you know how to locate your UTM co­ ordinates using your mobile phone or smartwatch.

Distress signal

The International (European) distress signal is six blasts of a whistle evenly spaced over one minute, followed by a break of one minute. Then repeat.

The response that confirms that your signal has been received is three blasts of a whistle over one minute followed by a break of one minute. At night, flashes of a torch in the same sequence can be used instead. Always carry a torch and a whistle.

The Countryside Code See www.gov.uk/government/publications/ the-countryside-code for more details.

RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE

• Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors.

• Park carefully so access to gateways and driveways is clear.

• Leave gates and property as you find them.

• Follow paths but give way to others where it’s narrow.

PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

• Leave no trace of your visit, take all your litter home.

• Don’t have barbecues or fires.

• Keep dogs under effective control.

• Dog poo – bag it and bin it.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

• Plan ahead, check what facilities are open, be prepared.

• Follow advice and local signs.

xi

EASTERN FELLS GREAT MELL FELL

CLOUGH HEAD

4

Thirl m e

STYBARROW DODD RAISE WHITE SIDE

2

Ulls

SHEFFIELD PIKE GLENRIDDING DODD BIRKHOUSE MOOR

wat

er

Glenridding

CATSTYCAM

re

5

Pooley Bridge

GOWBARROW FELL

GREAT DODD HART SIDE

WATSON’S DODD

STEEL FELL

LITTLE MELL FELL

6

HELVELLYN NETHERMOST PIKE DOLLYWAGGON PIKE

BIRKS

ARNISON CRAG

3

ST SUNDAY CRAG HARTSOP ABOVE HOW FAIRFIELD

SEAT SANDAL GREAT RIGG STONE ARTHUR HERON PIKE NAB SCAR

HART CRAG DOVE CRAG

1

HIGH PIKE

LOW PIKE

Ambleside

Opposite Ascending Nab Scar, Fairfield Horseshoe. © Stephen Ross Overleaf Helvellyn from White Side, Glenridding Horseshoe. © John Coefield

EASTERN FELLS 01 FAIRFIELD HORSESHOE

FAIRFIELD 873m TP5

HART CRAG 822m TP4

GREAT RIGG 766m TP6

DOVE CRAG 792m TP3

STONE ARTHUR 503m TP7

HIGH PIKE 656m TP2

HERON PIKE 612m TP8

LOW PIKE 508m TP1

NAB SCAR 450m TP9

01 Fairfield Horseshoe DISTANCE 19.1km ASCENT 1,100m START LATITUDE/LONGITUDE 54.4338, -2.9635 START GRID REFERENCE NY37590469 START W3W expert.influence.sailed START LOCATION Rydal Road/Smithy Brow roundabout, Ambleside TIMES 8:15hrs (Walker) 7:05hrs (Trekker) 5:20hrs (Fastpacker) 3:35hrs (Trail runner)

Introduction The Fairfield Horseshoe is a classic Lakeland route.

While Stone Arthur isn’t really part of the horseshoe, adding it makes a pleasant diversion and keeps things tidy for the Wainwrighter. As well as a classic walk, it is also a much-loved fell race, with an impressive record of 75 minutes, although the race doesn’t visit all of the summits described in this route.

Public Transport 555 Lancaster to Keswick bus stops hourly and 599 Bowness-on-Windermere to Grasmere every half an hour en route on Rydal Road in Ambleside (NY37410480, spark.muted.long). More services serve the town centre, half a kilometre south.

Parking Pay-and-display Rydal Road car park at the north side of Ambleside town centre (NY37570466, propose.quietest.piglets). Also possible to park

on the road outside St Mary’s Church (NY36460621, fussed.incurring.vent), with an honesty box just outside, and also in the pay-and-display Pelter Bridge car park (NY36450596, jumbo.guesswork. replied). The whole of the Ambleside/Rydal area can get very busy so an early start is recommended, or consider Ambleside’s good public transport links.

Refreshments Plenty of cafes and pubs in Ambleside, including the famous Apple Pie Cafe (NY37590459, nibbled. showrooms.reworked), 100 metres south of route in Ambleside. Tea room en route at Rydal Hall (NY36540635, hardening.chiefs.agreeable). Glen Rothay Hotel (and bar) 200 metres off-route in Rydal (NY36410616, bootleg.trickles.madness).

The Route From the mini roundabout linking Rydal Road with Kirkstone, head up Smithy Brow, the start

Looking over Grasmere from Stone Arthur. © Andy Wasley – andywasley.com

5

PEAK BAGGING: WAINWRIGHTS

of ‘The Struggle’ up Kirkstone Pass. Almost immediately turn left into Nook Lane and follow this past the University of Cumbria to Low Sweden Bridge. Stay on the track as it snakes up to the ridgeline, where it joins a wall which heads north up the east side of the horseshoe to Low Pike (TP1).

Continue to follow the wall to High Pike (TP2) and Dove Crag (TP3), staying on the right-hand side.

The path and wall now bend round to the northwest to descend a short way to a col. The going so far has been nice and grassy, but a rocky section now begins, starting with the boulder-covered ascent of Hart Crag (TP4). There are no real difficulties in this ascent, but take care if the rocks are wet as they can get very slippery. Hart Crag has two tops of equal height, one at each end and both marked by cairns, so take your pick or visit both.

From Hart Crag carry on round the bend of the horseshoe to Fairfield (TP5), the short-cropped grass of the approach changing to a flat, stony summit with multiple cairns. The Wainwright summit is a cairn/ shelter standing almost on the rim of the steep north face. From the top the path isn’t particularly obvious – make sure to head south and soon all will become

Timing Points

Grid Reference

Latitude, Longitude W3W

Low Pike (TP1)

NY37330784

54.4621, -2.9682

High Pike (TP2)

NY37440883

54.4710, -2.9668

Dove Crag (TP3)

NY37461044

Hart Crag (TP4)

clear. Drop gently to a col and then up to the cairn on Great Rigg (TP6). Stay on the path south, but around 250m after you have left the top bear right on the path down a side spur. Stone Arthur (TP7) is approximately 1.25km down this ridge, with the top being a small cairn on a rocky outcrop just beyond a flatter section.

There are no paths on the next section of the route to regain the main horseshoe ridge, unless you want to climb all of the way back up, virtually to Great Rigg. Rather than doing this, contour northeast to cross Greenhead Gill trying not to drop too much. From here climb up east-south-east on to the ridge, which is then followed south to Heron Pike (TP8). Carry on south to Nab Scar (TP9), the top of which is marked by a large cairn just before a wall.

Stay on the path, descending steeply to Rydal. Take the track east, past Rydal Hall and then follow it as it bends south through parkland to the main road (A591) which leads to Ambleside (with a pavement on the west side).

Distance (km)

Ascent (m)

Descent (m)

Walker (hours)

zapped.punch.habits

3.6

swoop.with.fuzz

4.7

54.4854, -2.9669

massing.barstool.crown

NY36891120

54.4922, -2.9758

Fairfield (TP5)

NY35871176

Great Rigg (TP6)

450

0

1:45

1:35

1:10

0:50

620

10

2:25

2:10

1:40

1:05

6.4

760

10

3:05

2:45

2:05

1:25

chain.unframed.storeroom

7.4

830

60

3:35

3:10

2:20

1:35

54.4970, -2.9916

alright.nicely.rinses

8.8

930

110

4:10

3:40

2:45

1:50

NY35581040

54.4848, -2.9958

variances.magnets.legwork

10.3

960

250

4:50

4:10

3:10

2:05

Stone Arthur (TP7)

NY34750924

54.4743, -3.0084

think.commuted.buildings

11.8

960

510

5:30

4:45

3:35

2:25

Heron Pike (TP8)

NY35600831

54.4661, -2.9951

feared.crunches.tripped

13.8

1,090

540

6:15

5:30

4:05

2:45

Nab Scar (TP9)

NY35540724

54.4564, -2.9958

acoustics.pylon.disco

14.9

1,090

690

6:40

5:50

4:20

2:55

Start/Finish

NY37590469

54.4338, -2.9635

expert.influence.sailed

19.1

1,100

1,100

8:15

7:05

5:20

3:35

1,000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Metres

TP 1

0

6

TP 2

1

2

3

4

TP 5

TP 4

TP 3

TP 6

TP 8

TP 7

5

6

7

8

9 10 Kilometres

11

12

13

14

Trekker Fast­packer (hours) (hours)

Trail runner (hours)

TP 9

15

16

17

18

19

7