There is a small car park
below Fleetwith Pike on land opposite Gatesgarth Farm. (A
pay-and-display machine has now been installed)
(Distance 11.5 miles) |
Follow the road towards Buttermere until
the sharp right bend at Lower Gatesgarth, at which point the lakeside
path is joined. Follow the path to Wilkinsyke Farm at Buttermere
(photo: Looking up towards Scarth Gap, with Haystacks on the left) |
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Head down the track to the left of the Fish
Hotel, following it through a couple of gates. Take a path off to
the right signposted to Scales Bridge.
(photo: High Stile reflecting into Buttermere Lake) |
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Once at Scales Bridge, cross over and
follow the path right. The path now skirts around to Scales Force,
keeping to the upper path.
(photo: Crummock Water with Grassmoor behind) |
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At Scales Force, commence the short but
steep ascent to the top of the waterfall, following Scale Beck in the
direction of Little Dodd. The path bears left and becomes a
wide loose rock path as it leads up to Lingcomb Edge.
(photo: View to Mellbreak with Crummock Water just visible from the
top of Scales Force) |
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Turn right at Lingcomb Edge, and follow the
path up the steep slopes to the top of Red Pike. Continue along
the ridge passing over High Stile and High Crag, before commencing the
steep drop down to Seat.
(photo: Bleaberry Tarn below Red Pike) |
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From Seat, it is a short rocky drop down to
Scarth Gap. Continue through Scarth Gap and up to Haystacks.
(Many routes to choose from)
(photo: The ridge stretching back to High Stile from High Crag) |
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| photo: Looking down to Scarth Gap
with the bumps of Seat, (nearer) and Haystacks, (further)) |
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| (photo: Seat and the steep slopes of
Gamlin Edge leading up to High Crag) |
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From Haystacks, head down passing to the
left of Innominate Tarn, following the path around the gully to reach
Blackbeck Tarn.
(photo: Great Gable in cloud as seen from Haystacks) |
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Continue from the tarn passing around Green
Crag and to the left of Little Round How to meet Wanscale Beck.
(photo: And another view, but more clouds, form over Innominate
Tarn) |
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Cross over the beck, turn left and follow
the rocky path down into Wanscale Bottom. It is then a short walk
along a wide track back to Gatesgarth Farm.
(photo: Wanscale Bottom and Buttermere Lake beyond) |
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(photo: A now cloud-covered High Stile from close to Gatesgarth
Farm) |
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