Fleetwith Pike & Haystacks circular walk

Yep it does needs a clean, I agree - Parked up at Gatesgarth Farm Car Park. £4 for the day - that's fair I think, much more palatable than the NT Car Parks.

Heading out along the Honister Pass road for a few yards.

Before following the signpost labelled 'Fleetwith Pike 1 mile'

I stopped for a few minutes pondering my next move and looking back towards Buttermere - the wind was ferocious and it will most likely be worse higher up. I really wanted to follow the ridge path up the nose of Fleetwith Pike, but those gusty side winds were concerning. My alternative was to ditch the first fell and head up the main bridleway through Warnscale Bottom. But it is a bit bland.

So I stuck to my original plan - I saw a few folk up ahead that had probably gone through the same risk assessment as me and decided to press on, so I should too (not the best of justifications I do agree).

"Erected by friends of Fanny Mercer - Accidently killed here in 1887"

The well defined path can easily be followed. No fear of getting lost on this ascent.

The ridge soars upwards quite steeply as the path meanders through the rocks and heather. I kept a very low profile to make sure I didn't go airborne and I made a very slow ascent up the nose.

Looking over to Robinson

And then looking over to Dale Head

Crouching down, I dared to take a photo back down the ridge path

Fleetwith Pike summit - Not the best photo I'm afraid. The views from up here are spectacular and the sense of achievement in climbing to the top via the ridge is always satisfying. But unfortunately, the timing was not great, I'd caught up with a group of four who decided to have their break sat next to the summit cairn itself. It's never comfortable taking a photo with complete strangers looking straight back at you, so I had to make do with a quick side on view and missing the glorious shot westwards towards Buttermere, Crummock Water, Loweswater and then the sea. Never mind - I've got it before and I'm sure will get it again.

Grey Knotts and Brandreth can be seen in the distance as the path takes me to the top of Honister Crag before descending slightly towards the quarry workings.

I guess these arrows are to stop folk wandering into areas of the quarry workings that are unsafe. I've not seen this type of signage anywhere in the lakes before. Anyway, I followed the arrows as instructed.

Following the low level signage I wander towards and past the heavy machinery and workings of the Hopper Quarry.

Before picking up the old tramway which used to convey the stone from Dubs Quarry.

All that remains now is a very straight track that is actually the longest straight path in lakeland at 1 mile long.

Coming to the end of the track as the route takes a left and heads down to Dubs Bottom.

Before heading down the slope, I have a glance over to Dubs Hut.

Stepping Stones of a fashion over Warnscale Beck.

Yet more signs! I think these are here as some walkers picked this route as a descent from Haystacks and it's not a safe route at all.

I wasn't intending to go down here and ignore the signs - I just wanted to enjoy my lunch stop at a location sheltered from the strong winds and gave good views whilst warming up with a hot coffee and snacks. It was ideal for that purpose.

Walking past Blackbeck Tarn.

Arriving at Innominate Tarn - famous as the resting place for Mr Wainwright

Arriving at the first of the two summit cairns on Haystacks - both are the same height

The summit tarn that runs alongside the small jagged and rocky ridge between the two cairns. The wind had really whipped up at this point and a squally shower was thrown into the mix too. It was quite a challenge to keep your footing as myself and others tried to negotiate the slippery rocks on this exposed landscape.

The other cairn, which most consider to be the true summit of Haystacks. But I'm not hanging around as the wind is ferocious and the rain is getting heavier. Time to head downwards - slowly!

At Scarth Gap looking over towards High Crag at the eastern end of the High Stile Ridge

Finally a bit of shelter from the strong winds that had hindered my climb down from the top of Haystacks. The rain had stopped too, so a nice gentle descent could now be enjoyed on a good path.

Buttermere comes into view - as does Gatesgarth Farm where I'm parked.

Crossing Peggy's Bridge

Warnscale beck as it flows into Buttermere.