A difficult route in Far Eastern Fells. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: Car park, Hartsop (NY 410 129)
Terrain: Track southeast from Hartsop, winding path to Brock Crags, Coast to Coast path, path around Rest Dodd flank, peat hags and deer forest, The Nab summit, retrace to Rest Dodd, path south to Coast to Coast, The Knott, Straits of Riggindale, Thornthwaite Crag, ridge northwest to Gray Crag, steep descent to Hayeswater Gill, track back to Hartsop
A fine high-level circuit above Hartsop and Hayeswater — a walk conceived primarily to settle unfinished business with four Wainwrights that had been left outstanding, and to finally deal with one that had been walked past in ignorance. Brock Crags makes a satisfying and unhurried start, its views of Hayeswater and the High Street plateau setting the tone for the day. The approach to The Nab via Rest Dodd is the circuit's most characterful section — the peat hags and deer forest of Martindale are wild and atmospheric ground, and The Nab's history as the Lake District's most furtively researched Wainwright gives it a particular personality among the 214. Rest Dodd is a summit of genuine quality, its broad views across Riggindale to Haweswater among the finest in the eastern fells. The high ridge south along the Straits of Riggindale and past Thornthwaite Crag to Gray Crag is outstanding walking on a clear day — wide, open and with views in all directions that only this elevated plateau provides. Gray Crag itself is a worthy Wainwright — and, given the circumstances, a particularly satisfying one to finally stand on.