Explore with Amie

It wasn’t too long ago that I was sharing our walk of the Coledale Horsehoe and that was one of my favourites. However, it may have just been beaten by Mosedale, which is probably the most difficult of the three horseshoes’ that I’ve completed so far. If you’re looking for the best ‘first’ horseshoe in the Lake District then, I would recommend Fairfield and then come back here later to try this one.

The walk starts at the National Trust car park at Wasdale Head so sadly this is very expensive parking. It cost around £9.50 for the day. This car park is also used for people ascending Scafell Pike from this side, too so they know what they can charge! I would suggest using the designed parking areas though as the banks of Wast Water are a notoriously bad spot for fly-camping and parking on the grass which is always a huge shame to see.

From the car park, you begin with a short walk back along the roadside before beginning the climb up Yewbarrow. This is not an easy start with a very steep path upwards towards the peak. Even from the offset though, you have fabulous views back down to Wast Water which only get better and better the higher you climb. There are lots of sheep in the hills here so, that is something to bear in mind if you have a dog. However, we got to have a very cool experience because of this! The farmers were bringing the sheep down off the hill so we were able to watch the sheep dogs at work. It’s incredibly impressive how easily they work on what is very steep and difficult terrain. I really enjoyed watching them work!

After the initial slog up the steepness, the path then becomes much more of a clamber. I am a bit of work in progress when it comes to scrambling and clambering. I really enjoy it but also find it quite difficult. I always make the classic mistake of thinking I’m stuck which then creates such a mental block. Climbing Yewbarrow was a prime example of this as I got ‘stuck’ and then got quite upset however, literally after a few minutes, I stepped back down and tried again and was able to do it instantly. It wasn’t actually all that hard! It’s such a mental game. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t the hardest climb ever and most would find it very easy if you’ve done a bit of clambering before. But, I was really proud of both myself and my sister (who turns out is the same as me when it comes to clambering – just in different spots!) for making it to the top.

Once you get to the top, the reward is epic! Phenomenal views across to Scafell Pike, the Great Gable peaking over the mountain tops and last but certainly not least, incredible Wast Water from above. I hadn’t seen too much online about Yewbarrow but, this is one of the best views we’ve ever had, in my opinion. In fact, we’ve had so many good views this year that we’ve been spoilt for choice but this is certainly up there.

Descending from Yewbarrow also involves a bit of clambering down so progress is quite slow on this initial section of the walk. I find this easier than going up – mainly because I can sit down if needed! Then, it’s a much easier path to Red Pike with only some minor clambering needed. I don’t remember us having any problems with this and then it was a second Wainwright ticked off at 826m. You’ve done the hard part from there and the going is much easier onto the third Wainwright, Black Crag at 828m.

We had originally signposted the path down the valley after Black Crag from Windy Gap as an ‘escape route’ if we didn’t want to do the full route as planned. However, we could see that this would be a very very steep descent and one that, in all honesty, I wouldn’t have felt that safe doing. It’s probably possible but, not enjoyable. Instead, we ploughed on to Pillar as we still had plenty of the day left. Pillar is the highest point on this walk at 892m so, it’s all downhill (kind of) from here!

The final Wainwright is a rather unassuming one and is an easy one to bag at the end of some more challenging ones on this trail. Looking Stead at 638m completes the set. On the descent from Looking Stead, it seemed like it was trying to rain but wasn’t really getting anywhere. However, we were graced with an incredible sight, a rainbow across the horizon with what felt like the end right in front of us. Sadly, we didn’t find the pot of gold but felt very lucky to have seen the rainbow so close. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen a rainbow whilst up in the hills and it certainly made the long day worth it.

From Looking Stead, the path descends to Black Sail Pass at which point, you turn right to head back down into the valley. You are on the homeward straight at this point but there is still quite a long way to go. It is 5km from here back down to the car park. We opted to do the last section along the road as, because of how wet it had been, we didn’t fancy being further waylaid by the river crossings and bogginess of the fields. It may have been fine but our speed was a lot quicker down the road.

And that’s it! This is one of my favourite walks of the year and made for a fantastic day it. It had the variety at the start with some slightly more challenging clambering and then a great number of Wainwrights too.

Have you given this one a go?

Here is a step by step below:

Start Point: Lake Head Car Park

1. Exit the car park by crossing the bridge back to the road.
2. Turn left and follow the road for about 1.5km. You should come to another small car park on the right. Exit the road here.
3. Follow the footpath at the back of the car park and keep right, following the boundary wall up towards Yewbarrow.
4. Climb the rocky path and continue on to the peak. Be sure to look back as your climb at the incredible views of Wast Water.
5. Follow the path as it descends down another rocky path and begins the climb towards Red Pike.
6. From Red Pike, the path is easier going as it bends around to the right, following the ridge line to Black Crag.
7. Descend to Windy Gap before ascending to Pillar.
8. Pillar is quite a plateau and the exit path is about a 90 degree angle from there you have approached. Use a compass reading here as required.
9. Bear right to begin the descent.
10. Either keep right to skirt Looking Stead or head to the peak to tick off one final Wainwright.
11. After the final peak, the path descends to Black Sail Pass.
12. Turn right to follow the path down the valley.
13. Continue along the path until it reaches a pub and hotel.
14. Here, take the road to the left between the buildings and then turn right to follow the road back down to the car park.
15. In approximately, 1.5km you should reach the car park.

End Point: Lake Head Car Park

Have you given this route a try?

Amie x