Route: Haystacks
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 26th February 2019
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 1,800 feet
Weather: Sunshine and blue skies, very warm
Haystacks was the favourite fell of Alfred Wainwright and it’s one of mine too – it’s a fascinating place and there’s always something new to see. Today would make it my 17th time up here, and I could never tire of it. As usual I parked in the car park at Gatesgarth Farm. I walked through the farm and crossed Peggy’s Bridge at the head of Buttermere. The climbing starts at a small triangular shaped copse, and from here I followed the easy path up to Scarth Gap
The weather was unseasonably warm, and it was strange to see butterflies flitting around and frogs spawning in various places along the way
Beyond Scarth Gap the going gets much steeper and rockier, and there are are five or six scrambly sections where hands are needed. There are no dangers though, and it’s an enjoyable clamber. A final steep section brought me to the summit area, which is full of interest. I wandered around here for a while, taking in the views, which were as wonderful as ever
A direct descent from the summit is impossible and it’s necessary to walk across some complicated knobbly terrain before arriving at one of the two possible descent paths to Warnscale Bottom. I normally take the first one, but on such a sunny day as this I was in no hurry, so I carried on to join the alternative path on the far side of Warnscale Beck. This provides an easy way down, with wonderful views ahead along Warnscale Bottom and Buttermere for most of the way
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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Earlier in the week, soft focus on our crocus, basking in the sun
The start of today's walk as I head towards High Crag - the path to Haystacks runs diagonally behind the triangular shaped copse mid-picture
Looking back to Gatesgarth and the Honister Pass
Warnscale Beck, with Fleetwith Pike on the left. Haystacks is on the right but blinding sunshine makes it impossible to photograph
Warnscale Bottom and Buttermere pines
Looking the other way along the beck, towards Buttermere
I make way for a large herd of Herdwicks - they are being driven down to lower pastures...
A view back to Gatesgarth at the start of the climb
Bothy at the head of Buttermere
Gatesgarth again, and the herdies are now grazing contentedly in the fields
Head of Buttermere, and Hassness on the far side of the lake
Haystacks ahead
Looking across to Fleetwith Pike
Scarth Gap - beyond this point the going gets a little tougher
A pitched path before the first clamber up the rocks
Looking back to Scarth Gap, with High Stile in the centre
Gatesgarth, the start of the walk
Buttermere and Crummock Water from a small cairn just below the summit
Summit of Haystacks, with Low Fell and Fellbarrow in the distance
A small unnamed tarn on the summit area
I leave the summit and head for the contradiction in terms which is Innominate Tarn
Ennerdale
Innominate Tarn
Great Gable on my right as I cross the complicated terrain on Haystacks
Great Gable beyond Innominate Tarn
I follow a rough path along the side of the tarn
My route will take me round the back of Green Crag, the lump of rock in the centre
I pass by the fearsome gully of Black Beck - below is Warnscale Beck, and the path back to the start
Buttermere and Crummock Water
Blackbeck Tarn
I climb away from the tarn to walk round the back of Green Crag
Grey Knotts on the right
Looking back to Haystacks
Warnscale Beck running into Buttermere
I walk the plank over Warnscale Beck
There were numerous frogs around here
The recent warm spell has caused them to spawn earlier than usual
Start of the descent, with Warnscale Beck on the left...
The path contours around the lower flanks of Fleetwith Pike
Bird's eye view of Warnscale Beck and the path back to the start
The gradient levels out as I arrive at Warnscale Bottom, here looking back to Green Crag
I pass by some of the Buttermere pines....
A final look back to Haystacks at the end of the walk
