{"id":34354,"date":"2024-02-06T15:10:26","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T14:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/c6304c6b-19ec-42f6-abd0-df2ee9664e0f"},"modified":"2024-02-06T15:39:21","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T14:39:21","slug":"10-classic-routes-in-the-lake-district-with-britains-greatest-hill-walker-alfred-wainwright","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/10-classic-routes-in-the-lake-district-with-britains-greatest-hill-walker-alfred-wainwright\/","title":{"rendered":"10 classic routes in the Lake District with Britain\u2019s greatest hill walker, Alfred Wainwright"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover 10 of the very best hill walks in the Lake District, from Scafell and Hay Stacks to Blencathra and Great Gable. <\/p>

By Vivienne Crow\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 06 February 2024 at 14:10 PM<\/p>

\n\n

In Alfred Wainwright’s seven Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells<\/em>, the famous walker and landscape writer reveals a compendium of routes covering all 214 fells in the Lake District. <\/p>

Here, local hill walker Vivienne Crow picks 10 of her favourite routes, each with its own special lure \u2013 from epic views and iconic scrambles to the perfect picnic spots.<\/p>

Best walks in the Lake District National Park<\/a><\/li>
Best hill walks in Britain<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Top 10 Wainwright walks<\/h2>
Hay Stacks<\/h3>
Most walkers ascend Hay Stacks from the shores of Buttermere. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The \u2018best fell-top of all\u2019, it was here in 1991 that Wainwright\u2019s ashes were scattered. The best approach? From Buttermere via Scarth Gap \u2013 a \u2018prelude of much merit and beauty\u2019.<\/p>
Hay Stacks walk<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Scafell Pike<\/h3>
England\u2019s highest mountain is a rough, tough undertaking however you approach it. Wainwright describes the Borrowdale ascents as \u2018pre-eminent\u2019, including the Corridor Route along the range\u2019s rugged western flanks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
Scafell Pike walk<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Blencathra<\/h3>
$\"Blencathra$
Blencathra at sunrise, taken from Latrigg Fell on a cold winter morning. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Wainwright devotes more pages to Blencathra<\/a> than any other Lakeland fell, describing each route in delicious detail. The most challenging is Sharp Edge, but this exposed scramble is not for the faint-hearted.\u00a0<\/p>
Great Gable<\/h3>
This massive dome of scree and crags should be on every hillwalker\u2019s tick list. It\u2019s never an easy day out, but the quickest approach is from Honister Pass, providing a 356m leg-up.\u00a0<\/p>
Castle Crag<\/h3>
$\"Castle$
Summiting Castle Crag involves a short but sweet climb. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The only \u2018Wainwright\u2019 below 300m, he listed this summit because it\u2019s \u2018so ruggedly individual, so aggressively unashamed of its lack of inches\u2019. The ascent from Borrowdale is steep, but short.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
Walk: Castle Crag<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Bow Fell<\/h3>
One of the guidebook writer\u2019s favourites, Bow Fell sits at the hub of three valleys: Great Langdale, Langstrath and Eskdale. For the most exciting experience, try the vertiginous climbers\u2019 traverse.\u00a0<\/p>
Wetherlam<\/h3>
$\"Wetherlam\"$
Wetherlam in the midst of autumn. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Wetherlam is part of the Coniston range, a group of summits linked together by some fine, high-level ridges. One of the best approaches is via its rocky, north-east shoulder.<\/p>
Binsey<\/h3>
This tiddler sits by itself on Lakeland\u2019s northern edge, enjoying far-reaching views across the Solway Firth into Scotland. An easy climb from the road, it\u2019s a favourite among local families.\u00a0<\/p>
Mellbreak<\/h3>
$\"Mellbreak$
Mellbreak reflecting in Crummock Water. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Mellbreak stands aloof, isolated from its nearest neighbours by the bogs of Mosedale and the dark depths of Crummock Water. Wainwright recommends the clamber up its formidable north face.\u00a0<\/p>
Pillar<\/h3>
To avoid potential encounters with other walkers \u2013 as Wainwright was keen to do \u2013 climb Pillar from remote Ennerdale<\/a>. There are several routes to the summit, some more adventurous than others.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Top 10 Wainwright walks<\/h2>

Scafell Pike<\/h3>England\u2019s highest mountain is a rough, tough undertaking however you approach it. Wainwright describes the Borrowdale ascents as \u2018pre-eminent\u2019, including the Corridor Route along the range\u2019s rugged western flanks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Bow Fell<\/h3>One of the guidebook writer\u2019s favourites, Bow Fell sits at the hub of three valleys: Great Langdale, Langstrath and Eskdale. For the most exciting experience, try the vertiginous climbers\u2019 traverse.\u00a0<\/p>

Binsey<\/h3>This tiddler sits by itself on Lakeland\u2019s northern edge, enjoying far-reaching views across the Solway Firth into Scotland. An easy climb from the road, it\u2019s a favourite among local families.\u00a0<\/p>

Mellbreak<\/h3>Mellbreak reflecting in Crummock Water. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>Mellbreak stands aloof, isolated from its nearest neighbours by the bogs of Mosedale and the dark depths of Crummock Water. Wainwright recommends the clamber up its formidable north face.\u00a0<\/p>

Bow Fell<\/h3>
One of the guidebook writer\u2019s favourites, Bow Fell sits at the hub of three valleys: Great Langdale, Langstrath and Eskdale. For the most exciting experience, try the vertiginous climbers\u2019 traverse.\u00a0<\/p>

Binsey<\/h3>
This tiddler sits by itself on Lakeland\u2019s northern edge, enjoying far-reaching views across the Solway Firth into Scotland. An easy climb from the road, it\u2019s a favourite among local families.\u00a0<\/p>