Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
The view across Buttermere that you see of High Crag and High Stile when approaching
Gatesgarth Farm is quite intimidating and looks hostile. True, it is a challenging walk once
past Scarth Gap; there is however a good path that makes the navigation straightforward
and the views all round are absolutely spectacular. Care is needed on the steep
scree sections when ascending High Crag.
The car park at Gatesgarth Farm is the start point for this walk. The charge at the
time of writing was £4 all day. There is overflow parking over the road.
Cross the road and take the path through the Farm
The track crosses Peggy`s Bridge and leads to the start of the climb which (as shown)
initially skirts round a small wooded area before getting on to the path proper to Scarth Gap
The start of the climb
The initial climb is quite steep and has been stepped to assist
After about three or four hundred yards or so the path swings left and leads
out to the open fellside
Looking to Fleetwith Pike from the path
Again, the path is stepped in some of the more steep sections
A close look of Haystacks which features prominently on the way up to Scarth Gap
Approaching the hand gate, after which the path turns more rocky
On reaching the break in the wall, the path veers left
The cairn at Scarth Gap. From here it`s a left turn if you want to climb Haystacks
or a right turn (that we make) to climb initially Seat en route to High Crag
The path up the North Tower of High Crag
Looking across the Ennerdale valley to Kirk Fell and Pillar from Scarth Gap
Believe it of not, there is a path inbetween the boulders on Seat
The start of the path
Looking over Buttermere to Grasmoor
Looking towards Pillar
The zig zag path up to the summit of High Crag does look precarious. It is steep but
is stepped for a large part. It does however end abruptly leaving a section of scree
to negotiate and needs a little care, but nothing too onerous
Starting the steep climb to the summit
The scree section
Looking back towards Green and Great Gable (centre) and Kirk Fell on the right
Approaching the summit cairn on High Crag
Spud on the summit of High Crag. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking to the North Western Fells
From the summit, a view of what Wainwright described as the finest
ridge mile in Lakeland to High Stile
Looking across to Steeple and Scoat Fell from the summit
Here, we are walking along the ridge and looking out to Ennerdale Water
The path to High Stile skirts the edge of the ridge and affords some dramatic views
Sue taking in the views
A close up of Pillar showing Pillar Rock and the Shamrock traverse
On the final approach to High Stile, the path becomes less steep and skirts the edge
The summit cairn comes into view
Me on the summit of High Stile and a personal milestone of 200 Wainwright Fells
Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking towards the Scafells
Looking back up the Ennerdale valley towards Kirk Fell and a shrouded Great Gable
Looking across to Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike and Wandope
We reverse our journey back down and catch the early evening sunlight
casting shadows over the North Western Fells
Almost back down and a final view of Buttermere
