Haystacks, Brandreth, Grey Knotts & Fleetwith Pike

Wednesday 4th November 2020

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Wainwrights Western

Probably the last Lakeland walk before the second lockdown. I'll be limited to local walks only for the next 4 weeks at least. But it was well worth taking a days holiday today to get this last one in while I could. The weather was fine and dry with great views all round, so it was well worth it. We visited Haystacks, Brandreth, Grey Knotts and Fleetwith Pike. The only downside was that the pubs had all shut up early, so our usual post walk beer was unavailable - But I'll be back soon !

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.
Distance: 11.3 miles
Duration: 6:45 hours
Ascent: 3821 ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Accompanied By: Brian
Weather: Mild, Dry & Sunny Intervals

Wainwrights Visited

Brandreth Fleetwith Pike Grey Knotts Haystacks

3D outline of route

Parking

Parking just outside of the small villiage of Buttermere on the Newlands pass road

The pretty village of Buttermere with St James Church in the foreground

A little bit of roadwalking to the footpath which leads to the mere.

A very still and mild morning - looking promising for a good walk today.

The start of the climb up towards Haystacks, looking back towards Buttermere

Fleetwith Pike can be seen on the other side of Warnscale Bottom - We will be descending down the nose later on today.

Haystacks in shadow as the gradual ascent continues.

Approaching Scarth Gap Pass - The col between Seat and Haystacks

From the summit of Haystacks looking over to Kirk Fell

And now into Ennerdale with Pillar and its slight dusting of snow on the top

A lunch stop at Innominate Tarn - The tarn made famous by Mr AW himself.

A slightly different route today as we headed over to Brandreth. This view is looking back over with Crummock Water in the distance.

The well trodden path of the coast to coasters as they head towards Honister Pass - Hopefully this will be busy again next summer.

Pillar on the left and the High Stile Ridge

Pretty dull summit for Brandreth

From Brandreth looking towards Green Gable

Leaving Brandreth its just a 10 minute stroll over to Grey Knotts

From the summit of Grey Knotts looking down into Borrowdale.

Fleetwith Pike looks significantly different from the Eastern side as we depart Grey Knotts.

A classic view from the summit of Fleetwith Pike looking down towards Buttermere and Crummock Water with the High Stile Ridge on the left.

The narrow path and quite steep descent down the nose

Honistor Pass road.

The prominent white cross perched on the face of Low Raven Crag. This is a memorial to Fanny Mercer who slipped and fell whilst descending the ridge in 1887. Killed where the cross is now placed. A reminder, perhaps, not to stray from the path and to always take care.