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- Pillar & the High Level Route
A classic Lake District ridge walk, also known as the Mosedale Horseshoe, the high cirque of mountains above the Wasdale Head Inn.
The High Level Route takes in the wonderful path climbing above Pillar Rock high on the Ennerdale face of Pillar before climbing directly to the summit.
A great ridge walk with wonderful views over the Western Fells.
Let our professionally qualified mountain leaders take the strain and give you a great day out in the fells.
Summits included on this route:
Pillar892 metres / 2927 feet
Scoat Fell841 metres / 2759 feet
Steeple819 metres/2687 feet
Red Pike (Wasdale)826 metres / 2710 feet
Yewbarrow628 metres / 2060 feet
Like some vast building made of many crags,
And in the midst is one particular rock
That rises like a column from the vale,
Whence by our Shepherds it is call'd, the Pillar”
One of the Lake Districts best ridge walks, we begin from The Wasdale Head Inn at the head of the Wasdale Valley climbing to the top of Black Sail Pass, the main pass between Wasdale and Ennerdale.
A short distance along the ridge from Black Sail Pass we will find the start of the High Level Route, one of the best routes in the Lake District. The small path contours around the side of the fell in and out of several combes until it reaches the Robinson Cairn, here we will have our first views of Pillar Rock.
The High Level Route continues, climbing up to the left to climb the Shamrock Traverse above Pillar Rock where a short scramble will lead to the summit of Pillar.
The views from Pillar are magnificent, be it over Wasdale to Scafell Pike, down Ennerdale to the Irish Sea or across the Solway coast to Scotland!
From Pillar we will continue on the ridge to the summit of Scoat Fell where a short detour will bring us onto the sharp rocky summit of Steeple a high spire above the Ennerdale Valley.
After returning over Scoat Fell we will then descend along the Red Pike ridge to Stirrup Crag where a short scramble will bring us out onto the summit ridge of Yewbarrow, although the lowest of our summits today the views on a good day over Wastwater from the summit ridge are as good as anything we will see all day!
A short steep descent will bring us down from the end of the Yewbarrow ridge as we descend back to the Wasdale Valley and back to Wasdale Head.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Wasdale Head Inn
Postcode: CA20 1EX
Grid Reference: NY 186 087
Directions
Gosforth can easily be found on the A595 road south of Egremont (An easy drive south from Cockermouth and Workington). Follow the road through the village, turning left as the road forks on the High Street.
Follow this road taking the left hand fork (avoiding Nether Wasdale) and follow the road signs for Wasdale Head and Wastwater.
When a junction is reached near the lake (Wastwater) turn left and follow this lane past the end of the lake until after two sharp bends a car park is seen on the right of the road, a short distance away from the Wasdale Head Inn. Park here and we will meet outside the Wasdale Head Inn.
Bus Services
There are no bus services to Wasdale Head.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:
Summer Events:
(November - March)
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
Winter Events:
(April - October)
- Walking Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
- Snow Goggles
- Gaiters
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
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Thanks Neil Review by Peter
Overall Experience Another wonderful day on Pillar with LDW.
Thanks Neil, always a pleasure to have you as our guide. (Posted on 15/08/2024) -
Pillar and the High Level Route - what a great day! Review by Michael Steele
Overall Experience Pillar and the High Level Route - what a great day! Even though the weather was very hot, Neil our guide for the day set a pace to suit everyone in our group. Neil is very informative about the fells and their history and was very encouraging to the group on this strenous route. Thanks to Neil and LDW for an excellent day. I would definitely use this company again for my next adventure on the fells. (Posted on 03/07/2018)
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Pillar Review by Ken Baker
Overall Experience What a fabulous day Carol and I had yesterday. Neil was a terrific guide, knowledgable, enthusiastic and very caring. He took great care of me near edges and nothing was too much trouble. We had great companions in Mena and Mike who also showed great patience with me and were very easy to get along with. Thank you. The walk itself was magnificent taking in 5 Wainwrights of Pillar, Scoat, Steeple, Red Pike and Yewbarrow. Carol and I were blown away with everything about the day. I would recommend this to everyone and even the nervy ones, like me, get the very most out of their day on the fells with terrific guides such as Neil. We can't thank everyone enough. Brilliant day! (Posted on 01/07/2018)
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Top day out Review by Bruce
Overall Experience Pillar and the high level route is a wonderful day out. The weather was excellent and condequently the views were stunning. This is a long day with fun scrambles, Yewbarrow being particularly delightful. Thank you TJ, our affable and knowledgeable guide. (Posted on 14/05/2018)
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Pillar with Joe Review by Anna
Overall Experience I just wanted to send you a note to say how much we enjoyed our walk with Joe on Saturday - in fact it was superb.
Thank you again!
Anna (Posted on 02/05/2018) -
Pillar walk with Neil Review by Dan Bilton
Overall Experience Had an amazing time on the Pillar walk with Neil as our guide. I would highly recommend this walk, took in some stunning views, and had a real mix of route types to tackle. Hope to book another soon! (Posted on 16/10/2017)
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Pillar and the High-Level route Review by Terence Kelly
Overall Experience I recently went on the Pillar and the High-Level route walk, taking in Pillar, Steeple, Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Yewbarrow. This is a fantastic walk with fantastic views all round. Unfortunately the weather on the day wasn't good but it didn't spoil the outing. It is a challenging walk and a long day out but offers just about everything that Fell walking is all about, I thoroughly recommend it. (Posted on 28/07/2017)
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A great day! Review by Vee
Overall Experience A full day of walking with some stunning views - just what I was looking for. The group was a nice size and our guide (Hugh) made sure that no one was left behind. The route took us over some interesting paths and terrain. Hugh was enthusiastic in sharing his knowledge of the surrounding mountains and hills, which was great.
The weather for the majority of the walk was lovely, but the storm clouds caught up with us for the last couple of hours and the mists descended. Hugh was very competent; he stayed calm and explained how the route would be best adapted to suit the conditions. I would recommend this walk and guide to anyone who wants a decent and varied route. (Posted on 31/05/2017) -
Fantastic Review by Amelia
Overall Experience Thank you John for a fantastic day. I enjoyed this walk so much. I found it challenging - my legs are still aching!!! But it is amazing to be able to have access to these wonderful places that, without Lake District Walkers, I wouldn't be able to do. To have the reassurance, encouragement and guidance of yourself is brilliant. Was fascinating to hear about local characters that have made such a difference to people's lives, as well as meeting the challenge of the walk and seeing the amazing scenery. Thank you again. Cant wait for the next outing with Lake District Walkers. (Posted on 30/08/2016)
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Thank you Review by Peter
Overall Experience Hi John,
Thank you for a truly memorable day on the High Level route.
I have read so much about Pillar Rock and Robinson's cairn.
Experiencing them close at hand and understanding the scale of the tribute to their friend was quite moving.
Thank you for making something well out of our comfort zone achievable.
Peter. (Posted on 27/08/2016) -
A fabulous walk Review by Suzannah Halliwell
Overall Experience A fabulous walk, amazing views via the High Level route to the Shamrock traverse to overlook Pillar rock & the Ennerdale valley. Further on the views from Steeple over Ennerdale water were fantastic and later a short scramble up Yewbarrow revealed fabulous views over Wastwater. The best scenic route experienced so far - thanks to John - his knowledge & experience made it a very memorable & enjoyable day for all !!! (Posted on 07/08/2016)
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Pillar from Wasdale Head Review by Martin
Overall Experience Just a quick thank you from us for a very enjoyable walk on Saturday.
We plan to come up again towards the end of the summer & I will give you a call. (Posted on 21/08/2015)
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Questions:
Question:
Is there a minimum number of participants for this event to go ahead?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 9 November 2017No, there is no minimum number for this event, if 1 person books then it will go ahead
Question:
What is the minimum age for children on this event?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.
As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Question:
What happens if the weather is bad?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.
Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks, should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund
Question:
Are dogs allowed on this walk?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Monday, 18 September 2017
Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walks.
However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walk, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
There are sections of this walk across rough ground and boulders and as such this walk may not be suitable for all dogs.
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