Should I Climb all the Wainwrights? A guide for beginners

Are you considering making a commitment to walk all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District for your New Year’s resolution?

Do you want a physical challenge you can get stuck into to help both your physical and mental health?

Or maybe you’d like an incentive to explore more of the Lake District and get away from the busy tourist areas?

Perhaps you have you seen friends on social media showing off their latest bagged fell and want to get in on the action?

Whatever your reasons, if you’re thinking of challenging yourself to climb all 214 Wainwrights then you may have some questions…

Who was Alfred Wainwright anyway?

Alfred Wainwright was born in Blackburn in Lancashire in 1907. In 1930 when he was 23 years old, he saved up for a week’s walking holiday in the Lake District with his cousin. On arrival in Windermere they climbed Orrest Head where Wainwright saw his first ever view of the Lakeland fells. That moment marked the start of what he later described as his love affair with the Lake District. He went on to write his now famous Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells – 7 books published between 1955 and 1966. Each guide is dedicated to one region of the Lakes and features meticulously hand drawn depictions of each of the featured 214 fells along with route descriptions and observations. They have gone on to sell over 2 million copies and inspired countless walkers to take to the hills ever since.

And what exactly ARE the Wainwrights?

The “Wainwrights”, as they have become known, are the 214 fells depicted in A. Wainwright’s guides. The fells range from the highest mountain in the England; Scafell Pike at 978m to the lowest of his featured fells; Castle Crag at just 290m. All the fells are located within the country of Cumbria and, more specifically, the Lake District National Park.

Why should I walk ALL the Wainwrights?

Why does anyone? To, quite literally, walk in Wainwright’s footsteps? For the physical challenge of climbing all the major fells in the Lake District? As encouragement to get off the sofa and get out within the natural environment? For the motivation to explore corners of the Lakes you might otherwise have never ventured into?

Whatever your reason you’ll may well find that bagging Wainwrights is an addictive business – the more you get – the more you want! (Gotta bag ’em all.)

How long will it take?

Well that’s up to you. The current record, set in May 2022 is an unfathomable five days, 12 hours and 14 minutes and was set by American John Kelly from Tennessee.

For us mere mortals however it is likely to take longer.  Much, much longer. Depending on how much time you want to commit, how many days you have spare to dedicate to walking, whereabouts in the country you live, whether you visit the Lakes every day, every week or just once a year.  

Perhaps set yourself a target; 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years etc or a deadline –  by your next milestone birthday for instance. Or simply start bagging at your own pace.

What do I need to get started?

A basic level of fitness. Good walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, map, compass.

And, of course, the guides themselves. Informative, inspirational, poetic and entertaining, the guides have become synonymous with walking in Lake District. It’s worth remembering however that the oldest guides are now nearly 70 years old. Therefore it’s important to cross-reference with up-to-date maps which accurately reflect any changes in the landscape and access routes. (Do not rely on online maps such as Google Maps for navigating the fells – they do not show the terrain in detail and are the reason for many a call-out for the local volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams!)

Do I need specialist equipment e.g. climbing gear etc?

No. All the Wainwrights are walkable on foot. Some routes do require some scrambling (using your hands to scramble up steep and rocky terrain), but often this can be avoided simply by choosing a different route if preferred.

Are some Wainwrights easier than others?

Absolutely. Some of the Wainwrights are easy, gentle, family-friendly walks; Black Fell, Castle Crag and Latrigg for example. While others require more strenuous walking; rugged fells such as Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Helvellyn via Striding Edge are often regarded as some of the hardest or more challenging fells.

Where should I start?

Coniston is a great place to start your quest to climb the Wainwrights. There are no less than 9 walkable from the village centre itself, either in one (rather long) day or split over several days or a weekend. The Furness Fells, as they are known, also have the advantage of being of moderate height; at 804m Coniston Old Man is the 31st highest Wainwright, of being rugged and mountainous in nature yet being easily accessible from the village. This makes them the perfect testing ground as to whether the challenge to walk all the Wainwrights is really for you. And if you base yourself in Coppermines Valley then these rugged mountains are quite literally on your doorstep!

Should I plan?

Yes you definitely should. A great idea is to download an app. This will not only record your progress but also help you plan your routes to avoid having to reclimb certain fells – if you want to that is. You wouldn’t be the first newly recruited Wainwright bagger to start with a well-known fell such as Coniston Old Man, then only afterwards realise that an effortless 15 minute stroll from the summit would have also bagged you Brim Fell – a genuine “2 for 1 deal” that you failed to take up at the time.

If efficiency is your thing, then books are available with planned routes to enable you to climb all 214 Wainwrights in just 45 walks for example.

Of course, if you’re in no rush to complete (because when you finish then what are earth are going to spend all your free time doing?!) then you can simply go at your own pace, collecting 1,2 or 3+ fells per walk.

Decided to go for it?

Then, the very best of luck completing this epic challenge. We’ll see you on the fells!

The Wainwrights in height order with corresponding book.