Walk 1289 - Fleetwith Pike & Haystacks from Gatescarth

      
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This is a relatively short horseshoe route starting from Gatescarth at the foot of Honister Pass on the Buttermere side. Despite being short in distance, the route offers an outstanding view of Lakeland scenery including many of the high fells and some its lakes.

      
Click thumbnails for larger images.

There is a small car park at Gatescarth Farm (Grid ref. NY 195150). The first objective, Fleetwith Pike, looks a daunting prospect from the car park yet its ascent is interesting and remarkably quick to achieve. Exit the car park and turn left along the road towards Seatoller exiting almost immediately to join the path that heads towards the foot of Fleetwith Pike. The climb starts immediately and passes a memorial cross to climb quite steeply at times towards the summit. There are numerous excuses to pause awhile for the improving retrospective view back towards Buttermere and the surrounding fells.

Reaching the summit cairn leave by the main path heading roughly east to take the first right fork. This leads without too much confusion to the stone hut at the foot of the old slate quarry incline below Dubs Quarry (Grid ref. NY 209134). From here pick up the main path to Haystacks, taking care not to return on the direct path to Gatescarth! The path descends to cross a stream before climbing up to Blackbeck Tarn with Great Gable forming a wonderful backdrop. Continue on the path walking along the east shore of Innominate Tarn to reach the summit of Haystacks with its many crags and a small tarn.

Descend west off the summit taking care to locate the path and descend to Scarth Gap. Turn right here and descend to Peggy's Bridge (Grid ref. NY 190148) to reach Gatescarth Farm and the starting point.

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL4
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 90

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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