Best walks for bagging the most Wainwrights in one day
If, when it comes to Wainwrights, you like the maximum bang for your bucks, then these Wainwright bagging bonanzas will have you ticking them off quicker than you can say Catstycam (well maybe not quite that quickly).
All the routes below are circular – with the same starting and finishing points. So you can park up, get your boots on, grab your gear and start some serious bagging.
Fairfield Horseshoe – No. of Wainwrights 8 16km 6 hours
Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, Low Pike
The absolute classic Lakeland route takes in 8 summits in one walk. The routes starts at Rydal where parking is limited, but the 599 bus from Windermere, Ambleside or Grasmere stops here so a great option is to park and ride to Rydal.
From the A591 take the lane alongside St Mary’s Church towards Rydal Mount. Head up the lane then turn left along the driveway of Hart Head House. A gate to the right of Hart Head House gives access to a walled lane. A stile at the end of the lane gives access to the open fellside below the steep rocky prow of your first Wainwright of the day; Nab Scar. The pat then zig zags up the fellside before reaching the ridgeline. Follow the ridge along a series of false summits before finally reaching the large cairn marking the summit of Nab Scar. Your next objective is Heron Pike, reached by continuing along the ridge line. From Wainwright number 2, Heron Pike, your route towards Fairfield is now, weather permitting, clear as the summits of Great Rigg and the mighty Fairfield are now visible. Follow the obvious path to Great Rigg for Wainwright number 3 then on to Fairfield for number 4.
Fairfield summit can be a confusing place, particularly in cloud, as 4 main routes converge here. From the summit, facing south, take the left-hand path which leads south before shortly turning east towards Hart Crag. From number 5 Hart Cragg, follow the ridge south as it passes over number 6, Dove Crag, number 7 High Pike and finally number 8 Low Pike.
Continue downhill along the main path to drop back down into Rydal Park, heading left through the park back to Rydal village.
Langdale Pikes – No. of Wainwrights 4+ 7.3km+ 3.5 hours+
Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle Loft Crag plus Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man and High Raise
The Langdale Pikes are a cluster of distinctive peaks which tower dramatically over the beautiful Langdale Valley. The pikes are all gathered together on a complex piece of high ground above Stickle Tarn. Their close proximity to each other makes for some rapid Wainwright bagging once you’ve have made the initial climb up to Stickle Tarn.
The individual summits of Langdale Pikes comprise; Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle and Loft Crag.
If you have the time, and the inclination, you can add in Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man and High Raise, or a combination of them, to increase your number of Wainwrights bagged to up to 7.
The walk starts at the Stickle Ghyll Car Park near the New Dungeon Ghyll. A well-used pitched stone path leads from the car park up the fellside alongside Stickly Ghyll. After around 0.4km the path crosses the ghyll before continuing up to eventually emerge at Stickle Tarn.
Once at the tarn, Pavey Ark makes its presence felt with its imposing arched face looming over the tarn. It’s up to you which order you bag the Pikes in, but we headed to Pavey Ark first by continuing on the path heading northeast alongside the tarn which then curves around towards the top of Pavey Ark via the North Rake, avoiding the steepest rock faces – it’s still a fair climb to the top however!
From Pavey Ark, head south to Harrison Stickle as we did on our route map above. If your legs are feeling up to it however, you could also head west to Thunacar Knott. From Thunacar Knott, you can either head north to bag Sergeant Man and High Raise, or, if you prefer to save those two tops for another day, head south to Harrison Stickle.
Once on Harrison Stickle, head west to the distinctive rocky cone that is Pike of Stickle. From the compact summit of Pike of Stickle, initially retrace your steps back to the main path before heading south east to Loft Crag.
Once on Loft Crag, it’s simply a case of descending back to Langdale Valley, with a well-trodden path down to the valley beginning just east of Loft Crag itself.
Kentmere Round – No. of Wainwrights 9 21.4km, 7 hours
Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike, Shipman Knotts
This is an outstanding walk in a quieter corner of the Lakes. The main downside of the walk however is lack of parking at Kentmere village. There are a few spaces by St Cuthbert’s Church so if you’re planning to park here our advice is to get there early! During the summer months additional, paid parking is sometimes available at a nearby field owned by a local farmer. Temporary car parks such as these are limited to the number of days per year they can open. Kentmere Village’s website recommends calling 01539 821 689 in advance of your visit to check if the field will be open for parking.
Once sensibly parked, the walk begins at St Cuthbert’s Church. We walked the round clockwise so headed west from the church long the minor road, swinging firstly round to the right, and then left to The Nook. Turn right just past the first building on the right onto a rough track signposted “Restricted Byway to Troutbeck via Garburn Pass”. This soon swings left, goes through a couple of gates, and climbs steadily.
After crossing Crabtree Brow it climbs more steeply towards the top of the pass.
Go through the gate and continue on the track to the large cairn on the corner. Turn right and follow the clear path north. You’re first target, Yoke, appears ahead.
Keep to the path and climb to the kissing gate on the steep southern flank of Yoke. Go through and continue on the clear path rising up the fellside. From the summit of Yoke (1), head north towards your next target, Ill Bell (2). Ill Bell is the middle “wave” on the ridge comprising Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick which resemble the crests of a wave.
From Ill Bell stay on the obvious path north along the ridge to Froswick (3).
From Froswick, head north once again to Thornthwaite Crag (4), with Thornwaite Beacon providing a useful and unmissable target to aim for in clear weather.
From Thornwaite Crag head east to curve around the head of the valley which descends down to Haweswater, then north east to head towards to large grassy summit of High Street (5).
From High Street turn south east, skirting the steep slopes down to Blea Water, to reach Mardale Ill Bell (6).
From Mardale Ill Bell your next mission is to descent the rocky path with Small Water below and to your left. After a cross-roads in the path continue ahead to ascend towards Harter Fell (7). From Harter Fell head due south on the obvious ridge path towards Kentmere Pike (8), continuing on to your final Wainwright of the day which, you’ll be pleased to learn by this point, has little ascent involved, Shipman Knotts (9).
From Shipman Knotts, you’re aiming for the unmade mountain road which runs from east to west and links the Kentmere and Longsleddale Valleys. Various rocky paths descend south from the summit of Shipman Knotts. We followed the path which runs close to the dry stone wall before it turns southeast to avoid the steepest slopes of Wray Crag before meeting up to the Kentmere/Longsleddale pass.
At the track, turn right to follow the pass towards some farm buildings at Stile End then continue ahead, curving north behind meeting High Lane. At the road, turn left to follow High Lane, a walled, single-track road, down towards Kentmere village. At a small cluster of houses, turn a sharp right onto Helwell Lane, then follow the lane as it curves down towards the River Kent. Cross the stone bridge, go past the red post box, and you’ll see your starting (and thankfully finishing) point, St Cuthbert’s Church, straight ahead.
Coniston Round – No of Wainwrights 7
Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Wetherlam
Perfectly doable in a single day for a competent hiker, the Coniston, or Furness Fells, round takes in Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar and Wetherlam. You can start and finish in Coniston village where there are ample pubs and cafes for some well-deserved, hard-earned post-walk refreshments.
From the village, (we started at the Coppermines office and Hidden Treasures Gift Shop) head up the steep lane to the Sun Inn and keep heading uphill on the road towards Walna Scar Car Park.
From the car park, head west to take the old Walna Scar Road. Stay on this ancient byway as it crosses an old pack-horse bridge, and eventually starts to zig zag as the incline increases.
Near the highest point of the road, a junction in the path goes south to the summit of Walna Scar. We are turning right however to head up the steep path north to the summit of Brown Pike. From the cairn on Brown Pike, head north to follow the ridge line to Buck Pike, then onto the compact, rocky summit of Dow Crag (1).
From Dow Crag, head north then east, following the ridge down to Goats Hawse above Goats water. Keep heading east to take the obvious path as it climbs to Coniston Old Man summit (2).
From Coniston Old Man, head north along the ridge to Brim Fell (3) then continue north, following the cairns to Swirl How (4).
At Swirl How head west to Grey Friar (5) before tracing your steps back east. This time however you’re aiming for Great Carrs which is further northwest along Broad Slack ridge. From Great Carrs (6) follow the ridge back south to Swirl How again, passing the remains of the Canadian World War II plane and its memorial. From Swirl How, make your descent east along the Prison Bands. At Swirl Hawse keep heading east to make your ascent towards Black Sail then continue east onto to Wetherlam Summit.
From Wetherlam, head south to follow the grassy ridge downhill above Red Dell Beck to your right. The path eventually meets up with the route connecting Coppermines and Tilberthwaite Valleys. Turn right to head down into Coppermines Valley and continue on the track as it meets up with the mountain road from Coniston to The Coppermines Mountain Cottages. Turn left to head back to Coniston village on the mountain road with Church Beck below you and on your right.
Mosedale Horseshoe – No of Wainwrights 5
Pillar, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Red Pike (Wasdale) and Yewbarrow
This walk begins at the remote, yet often busy, Wasdale Head. While the majority of walkers you’ll encounter at Wasdale Head will be making an ascent of Scafell Pike, we’ll be heading west, aiming for the imposing Pillar.
From the car park at Wasdale Head, head north to the Wasdale Head Inn. Pass the pub, veer left and take the path to the right of Mosedale Beck. Fork left at Fogmire Beck and head northwest following the beck deep into the basin-like Mosedale Valley.
Beyond a cairn, fork right and take Black Sail Pass north to Gatherstone Beck. Veer left across the beck before climbing the path which zig-zags to Black Sail Pass. Head north-east then east to the col.
Beyond a large cairn, turn left and follow the old metal fence posts north-west, following the path. Keep going in a westerly direction to arrive at Pillar’s eastern ridge. The path now climbs steeply west over rocky ground. Following the path, and several false summits later, you’ll arrive on Pillar’s wide summit (1).
From Pillar, turn left and descend steep, craggy slopes south-west to Wind Gap then past Black Crag. Head west over the wide, grassy ground before the climb begins again towards Scoat Fell. Scramble across a boulder field, go through a gap in the dry-stone wall and follow the wall west. Scoat Fell’s (2) unassuming summit consists of a small cairn on top of the wall.
Now you’re heading for Steeple. Follow the same wall west again, then veer right towards Steeple. The dramatic path to Steeple (3) is via a short and narrow ridge which then climbs to the conical and compact, rocky summit.
From Steeple, you need to initially retrace your steps back to the main ridge. Cross through a gap in the stone wall and head south-east on the rock-strewn slope to the col between Scoat Fell and Red Pike to join up with the main path.
Follow the path south along the ridge to Red Pike summit (4).
For your final summit, Yewbarrow, leave Red Pike to the south then south-east towards Dore Head.
The climb to Yewbarrow via Stirrup Crag is somewhat notorious. It’s a steep and tough scramble and not for everyone. If preferred, Stirrup Crag can be easily avoided via a path running from Dore Head south, taking a diagonal and gentler across the western, rock strewn slopes of Yewbarrow to approach the dip in between the north and south tops of Yewbarrow.
Once you’ve ascended by your preferred route, you’ll find the summit to be a broad plateau. There is a northern top and a south top, the south being the actual summit of Yewbarrow (5).
To descend head south. Pass a small cairn at the nose of ridge and continue south towards Great Door. Just before the craggy humps at the ridge’s southern tip veer right on a path that bypasses more difficult terrain and descends south-west. The going is steep and rocky, following a gully for a while, but the path guides you safely down.
Veer left to a wall and cross the ladder stile with spectacular views to Wastwater. Turn right and follow the wall south-west to Over Beck and down to the road. Turn left and walk north-east back to the car park.
Buttermere – No. of Wainwrights 5
Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks, High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike
This is a stunning walk in one of the Lake District’s most picturesque and photographed locations. The walk out takes in a rugged and dramatic ridge, while the pleasant and easy walk back is a low-level stroll around the idyllic Buttermere shoreline, an enjoyable reward following a demanding yet unforgettable ridge walk.
The walk starts at Gatesgarth Farm which has, paid for parking.
Leave the car park and turn left towards Honister. In a few metres, just after the last house on the right, turn right beside the signpost, and then almost immediately left on a path through summer bracken.
Keep left of Low Raven Crag. The path gets steeper and zigzags up the fellside behind the crag.
Before long you’ll reach a small cairn at the top of the crag, to the right of which is a beautiful view across Buttermere and to the left is the ridge line, with the path continuing upwards.
It’s not long before short rocky steps need to be clambered up.
A false summit at about 450m shows off the final somewhat daunting section of the ascent to Fleetwith Pike summit. Continue along the path and it’ll show itself weaving between crags and up many more rocky sections to eventually reach the cairn at the top of the Edge, and the summit of Fleetwith Pike (1).
From Fleetwith Pike summit head eastwards to Black Star then head south towards Dubs Slate Quarry. The path to Haystacks, famously Wainwrights favourite fell, undulates across the rocky, heather strewn landscape, curving west as it makes its approach to Haystacks (2) summit over Green Crag and past Innominate Tarn.
From Haystacks your next target is to descent northwest to Scarth Gap. From here a path head down to Buttermere but we instead are continuing ahead. The path passes over Seat before making a steep and rocky ascent of the imposing High Crag. (3)
The route from High Crag to High Stile, the highest mountain of this walk, via Comb Crags is nothing short of spectacular. This relatively level ridge features dramatic slopes on either side with awe-inspiring scenery whichever way to choose to look. Stay on the path as it curves around the ridge and onto High Stile (4) summit.
Keep heading north west to reach the final summit of the day Red Pike, the way to which being relatively level and featuring more breath-taking scenery.
At Red Pike (5) enjoy the incredible views down to Crummock Water before taking the very steep, scree path east of the summit. The first part of the scent is the hardest, with screen soon giving way to a pitched stone path down to the photogenic Bleaberry Tarn.
At the tarn the path turns north towards Buttermere then east to traverse the open fellside before turning north once again to enter Burtness Woods. The steep tone path spits you out at the shore of Buttermere. From here turn right to enjoy a flat lakeside walk back to Gatesgarth Farm.
Coledale Horseshoe – No. of Wainwrights 6
Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Eel Crag, Sail, Scar Crags, Causey Pike
This version of the Coledale Horseshow, or Coledale Round, takes in Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Eel Crag, Sail, Scar Crags and Causey Pike (an alternative, slightly shorter version misses out Scar Crags and Causey Pike instead heading north east to Outerside after Sail).
The walk starts in the village of Braithwaite, near Keswick. Walk through the village to the Whinlatter Pass road, turn left along the road to climb to the small car park at the end of the track to Force Crag Mine in the Coledale valley.
Just inside the entrance of the car park turn right taking the steps. After a short climb the path rises more gently parallel with the road before swinging left and climbing southwards towards Kinn. Cross the stile and bear right uphill. Continue on the ridge as it climbs to Grisedale Pike and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with ever widening views.
After a steady climb along the long ridge, a steeper pull up to a rocky outcrop you’ll reach the summit of Grisedale Pike (1).
From here continue southwest then west as the path curves the dramatic steep slopes below the dramatic Hopegill Head (2).
From Hopegill Head head south towards Sand Hill then drop down through the scree the other side onto Coledale Hause. Cross Coledale Hause keeping slightly right to join the beck as you climb between Grasmoor on your right and Eel Crag to your left.
Reaching a junction of paths on the col, turn left along a wide path climbing directly to the trig point on Eel Crag (3).
From here, the view to Keswick, Skiddaw, Blencathra is nothing short of incredible.
From Eel Crag trig point turn right from the direction of approach, to head first south east and then more east. A line of cairns marks the way to the top of a ridge (The Scar) dropping quite steeply to a col. Once on the col continue ahead to the domed summit of Sail (4).
From Sail, descend east down the much photographed zig-zag path. At the crossroads take the fork on the right to begin the ascent to Scar Crags (5).
From the summit of Scar Crags it’s an easy stroll onto the distinctive summit of Causey Pike (6), easily recognisable from near and far due to its knobble on the summit.
From Causey Pike, descend east before heading north east down to the lane which runs north below the slopes of Barrow back to Braithwaite village.
And to bag a whopping 12 Wainwrights in one go…
It’s a long day but doable for those willing and able to take on the challenge. Starting with Causey Pike, this epic walk goes on to summit; Scar Crags, Sail, Eel Crag (Crag Hill), Wandope, Whiteless Pike, Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells.
This 25km route, conveniently features Buttermere village at its half way point for refreshments. Allow a minimum of 10 hours.
You can view the route below.
