YHA Black Sail (opens in new tab) hostel
about 3.9 km from the start, in a straight line
Included because it is genuinely on this walk's ground - Black Sail sits over the pass at the head of Ennerdale and the page names the peaks the Mosedale horseshoe crosses: "superb access to nearby peaks including Great Gable, Pillar, Red Pike and Steeple". For a walker it answers the 6pm questions properly: an evening menu, breakfast from 07:30, a licensed bar, a self-catering kitchen, ground-floor rooms and a cot. But the 3.93 km on this row is straight-line over the ridge and must never be read as an approach: by their own statement the nearest road is 2.5 miles away and cars stop at Bowness Knott, six miles down the valley. No dogs unless you take the whole building, no phone signal, no WiFi, and no way for us to contact them - emails[] is empty and no contact form was found.
Worth knowing: “Pets are not permitted at YHA Black Sail, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.”
It is a former shepherds' bothy at the head of Ennerdale, and its two toilets and single shower are outside the building - YHA's own page tells guests to bring a torch for the walk out at night. There is no mains-fed arrival at all: the nearest road is 2.5 miles away.
- Family rooms “One room that sleeps up to 8 people. It includes 4 sets of bunk beds. A cot is available.”
- Evening meal “Evening menu at YHA Black Sail Take your pick from today's selection of hearty classics and delicious desserts.”
- Packed lunch “This hostel offers group catering for pre-booked groups of 16 people or more.”
- Parking “YHA Black Sail is only accessible by foot or bike. The nearest road is 2.5 miles away in the Buttermere valley, accessing the hostel via 'Scarth Gap pass'.”
- Children “Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over to stay at YHA.”