“This is it: the Mecca of all weary pilgrims in Lakeland; the place of many ceremonies and celebrations, of bonfires and birthday parties; the ultimate; the supreme; the one object above all others; the highest ground in England; the top of Scafell Pike”
A Wainwright
A classic Lake District ridge walk, and a great day on the highest mountain in England.
Two great days of walking from one of the most picturesque valleys in the Lake District.
“Suddenly, we forgot our aching shoulders, our chafed ankles and toes, and the discomfort of camping on empty stomachs, for the green trough of Wasdale had opened up below our feet and the most noble ring of mountains in England rose up to greet us. These were the hills that we had come so far to see and they did not disappoint us”
A Harry Griffin
Pillar & the High Level Route
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.
Scafell Pike from Wasdale
A wonderful route climbing the highest mountain in England. The walk begins at the Wasdale Head Inn at the head of the valley, an area steeped in mountaineering history, the Fell & Rock Climbing Club was formed in the Inn and some of the earliest rock climbs were recorded on some of the huge crags surrounding the head of the valley.
From Wasdale Head we climb by Brown Tongue path to the summit of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
From Scafell Pike we descend over Lingmell, following the western shoulder of Lingmell back down to the valley and the Wasdale Head Inn.
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
-
Wasdale Walking Weekend: 22nd & 23rd July 2017 Review by Annette
I would like to pass on my thanks for such a memorable weekend
My first visit to The Lake District and thanks to Neil one to be cherished.
Neil made the weekend with his expertise and patience as well as lots of local knowledge.
I will definitely be back
Many thanks and kind regards
Annette (Posted on 25/07/2017)
© 2024 The Lake District Walker Limited. All Rights Reserved.
