Starting point: NT car park, Buttermere  (NY 172173)  Distance: 9.3 miles  Ascent: 3090'

A classic Lakeland walk along the High Stile ridge with its fabulous views into the Buttermere valley and a visit to the Victorian favourite; Scale Force.

Alfred Wainwright wrote, 'No mountain range in Lakeland is more dramatically impressive than this, no other more spectacularly sculptured, no other more worth climbing and exploring.  Here the scenery assumes truly Alpine characteristics yet without sacrifice of the intimate charms, the romantic atmosphere, found in Lakeland and nowhere else.' The Western Fells High Stile p. 3 

Route: From the car park, walk down to Buttermere and along the lakeshore path for two miles.  Ascend to the pass of Scarth Gap where the ascent to High Crag may be made direct or over the subsidiary top of Seat, a more pleasant way in my opinion.  A pitched path up Gamlin End leads to the summit of High Crag (2443').  Follow the ridge path over High Stile (2644') and on to Red Pike (2479') before descending steeply northwest to find Scale Beck.  A rough path beside the beck leads back to the Buttermere valley.  A visit to Scale Force may be made before following the path alongside Buttermere Dubs back to the village.

The High Stile Ridge seen from the path to Buttermere

Lovely Buttermere

Fleetwith Pike from the ascent to Scarth Gap

Looking into Warnscale Bottom with Haystacks to the right

High Crag

The remains of the gate and estate boundary fence at Scarth Gap

Contemplating the route ahead

High Crag

It's a steep pull up Gamlin End, but a pitched path helps the ascent nowadays ...

... and the views are worth the climb when the top is reached!  What a shame it is so hazy.
Great Gable at the head of Ennerdale

Lunch!

High Stile from High Crag

Buttermere and the North Western fells

The best views from High Stile are not seen from the summit.  Drop down the northeast ridge for this stunning view of Crummock Water.

Looking back to High Crag

Red Pike is well named!

Wainwright writes, The location of the highest point is in doubt.' High Stile p. 10
This is the cairn of the OS official summit ...

 

... whereas Wainwright says that 'the main ridge rises ... to a rocky eminence crowned with two cairns immediately over the abrupt fall to Chapel Crags,
and it is customary to consider the climb ended when this point is reached.' High Stile p. 10

The ridge to Red Pike is a delightful amble ...

... with magnificent views down into Bleaberry Comb - Bleaberry Tarn below

The summit of Red Pike

Descending Scale Beck to ...

... Scale Force: a favourite with Victorian tourists

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2009 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved