Walk 1289 - printer friendly version

Fleetwith Pike & Haystacks Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.5 miles / 8.9 km

Ascent - 2500 feet / 758 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NY194149
Lat 54.522952 + Long -3.2467709
Postcode CA13 9XA (approx. location only)

This is a relatively short Lake District horseshoe walk 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.

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.

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