A difficult route in Western Fells. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: National Trust Wasdale Head car park or campsite (NY 184 076)
Terrain: Campsite track, road, Pillar Trail, Mosedale, Ritson's Force, fell path around Kirk Fell, Gatherstone Head, Black Sail Pass, Looking Stead, Pillar summit, ridge southwest, Wind Gap, Black Crag, Scoat Fell, Steeple (exposed path), Red Pike ridge, Dore Head, Stirrup Crag scramble, Yewbarrow ridge, Bull Crag, Great Door (very steep descent, scree, scrambling), Dropping Crag, lakeshore road TERRAIN WARNING — GREAT DOOR: The descent from Yewbarrow through the Great Door to Dropping Crag is one of the steepest short descents in the western Lake District. It involves loose scree, scrambling, and at times a hands-and-bums approach. It is not suitable for those uncomfortable with exposure or steep, unstable ground. Allow more time than you think it will take. TERRAIN WARNING — STEEPLE: The short path out to Steeple from Scoat Fell involves a degree of exposure that may concern some walkers. The ground drops away steeply on either side of the ridge. It is not technically difficult but requires care and a head for heights.
A magnificent and demanding mountain day from Wasdale Head — one of the great circuits in the western Lake District, combining five Wainwrights of considerable stature across some of the finest and most varied fell terrain in England. The approach up Mosedale on the Pillar Trail is a pleasure in itself, the valley grand and the route well-judged as it works around Kirk Fell and climbs through Black Sail Pass to the high ridge. Pillar at 892 metres is a summit that needs no selling — the views from the top on a clear day are simply outstanding. The continuation southwest to Scoat Fell and the short exposed detour to Steeple deliver two more summits of real quality, and the long ridge back via Red Pike to Dore Head is superb walking throughout, Wast Water appearing and growing below with every step south. Stirrup Crag is a fine scramble — hands on and entertaining — and Yewbarrow from the top is one of the great viewpoints above the lake. The Great Door puts a very particular stamp on the day's finale: steep, loose, demanding and rather spectacular. A walk of the highest order.