Bannisdale Fell circuit from Bannisdale

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Lamb Pasture (2.3 km, 157 m)

   Climb of about 157 m over 2.3 km (around 7% average).

   The first 0.4 km is along the A6, a main road: take care with traffic. Leave it near the Bannisdale river, crossing the lower pastures before striking directly up the broad, grassy southern spur. The ascent is steady, on a lane, a restricted byway, a track and then a path OSM maps, weaving through rough pasture and bracken on the lower slopes until you gain the broad, open crest of Lamb Pasture.

   Waypoints

   Bannisdale valley (start), southern spur, Lamb Pasture summit (367m).

   Decision point

   Use the valley boundary walls to funnel you onto the correct spur. Once on the open fell, keep climbing west-north-west; the terrain naturally narrows slightly towards the flat, grassy plateau of Lamb Pasture.

   Easy to get wrong

   As with almost the entirety of the Far Eastern Shap Fells, do not expect engineered paths here. The initial climb is a trudge through thick, tussocky grass that is heavy on the calves. In summer, the lower intake fields are choked with bracken and notorious for sheep ticks, requiring constant checking of your lower legs.

   If you need to get off

   Turn 180 degrees and visually retrace your steps down the grassy spur. The deep trench of the Bannisdale valley acts as a massive catching feature below, leading back to the valley road.

2. 2

   Lamb Pasture → The Forest (Borrowdale Head) (1.8 km, 194 m)

   Climb of about 194 m over 1.8 km (around 11% average).

   From Lamb Pasture, continue a relentless march generally northwards, on a path OSM maps (on the ground it may be faint), dropping into a minor, soggy saddle before tackling the steeper, rougher slopes that pull up onto the vast, domed summit plateau of The Forest.

   Waypoints

   Lamb Pasture, connecting saddle, The Forest summit (Borrowdale Head, 528m).

   Decision point

   A dilapidated old wire fence line begins to make an appearance along this ridge; pick it up as early as possible and use it as a handrail leading directly over the high ground.

   Easy to get wrong

   The gradient steepens noticeably on this stage, and the terrain underfoot worsens. The grass transitions into a notoriously wet, spongy mixture of sphagnum moss and hidden peat hags that rarely dry out, even in high summer. Establishing a walking rhythm is nearly impossible as you constantly zig-zag to avoid the deepest bogs.

   If you need to get off

   Do not drop west into Bannisdale unless absolutely necessary, as it is a long, remote walk out; no way down into it has been checked for this guide. The best bailout is to retrace your steps south over Lamb Pasture to your starting point.

3. 3

   The Forest (Borrowdale Head) → White Howe (Bannisdale) (0.8 km, 44 m)

   Descent of about 44 m, then a climb of about 44 m, over 0.8 km.

   Leave the grassy dome of The Forest and follow the ridge line north-west over an incredibly broad, undulating expanse of moorland. The gradient is minimal, dipping slightly before a very minor rise brings you to the subtle, grassy top of White Howe.

   Waypoints

   The Forest descent, White Howe summit (530m).

   Decision point

   The fence line remains your absolute lifeline across this plateau. Keep it firmly in sight and follow it as it snakes across the soggy watershed; it will guide you directly over the high point of White Howe.

   Easy to get wrong

   White Howe is barely a summit, rather just a slight swelling in a vast ocean of featureless white grass (Molinia). In thick clag, this area is exceptionally disorienting; there are no crags, distinct peaks, or sudden drops to offer visual cues to your location. The peat groughs here can be waist-deep and require wide detours.

   If you need to get off

   Do not try to bail into the flanking valleys from this central point of the horseshoe. You must either push forward to Harrop Pike or reverse your route south back along the fence line.

4. 4

   White Howe (Bannisdale) → Bannisdale Fell - Long Crag (1.6 km, 36 m)

   Undulating section of about 1.6 km.

   Continue north, then north-west, across the saturated, lumpy plateau. The route rolls gently over the watershed, eventually bringing you to the highest point of the Bannisdale Fell ridge, marked by a scattering of modest stones and rocky outcrops known as Long Crag.

   Waypoints

   White Howe, Bannisdale Fell ridge, Long Crag (493m).

   Decision point

   Cling to the boundary fence line that traverses the ridge. It crosses directly over the stony ground of Long Crag, making micro-navigation unnecessary so long as you do not lose sight of the wire.

   Easy to get wrong

   Do not let the name "Long Crag" fool you; this is not a prominent rocky arête but rather a slight, stony protrusion breaking through the endless peat and grass. The ground remains relentlessly boggy, demanding constant attention to foot placement to avoid sinking into the black muck hidden beneath the reeds.

   If you need to get off

   As you are now deep into the remote backcountry of the Shap Fells, bailing laterally into the valleys commits you to miles of trackless, exhausting bushwhacking. Stick to the ridge and the fence line and retreat the way you came.

5. 5

   Bannisdale Fell - Long Crag → Ancrow Brow North Top (1.8 km, 101 m)

   Climb of about 101 m over 1.8 km (around 6% average).

   From Long Crag, follow the fence west, dipping across another wide, peaty saddle before making a slow, dragging ascent over wet moorland to reach the minor, grassy prominence of Ancrow Brow North Top.

   Waypoints

   Long Crag, peaty saddle, Ancrow Brow North Top.

   Decision point

   In low cloud, it is dangerously easy to veer off course while detouring around the larger bogs. Always keep a strict eye on the fence line, using it as a reference to correct your bearing after navigating around the worst of the marshes.

   Easy to get wrong

   The 1.8 km stretch crosses some of the worst peat bogs on the entire circuit. The ground is heavily scarred by drainage channels (groughs) that you must constantly hop over or climb in and out of, which is deeply fatiguing on the legs.

   If you need to get off

   We have not checked a line down from this ridge for this guide, so none is offered here. The way back is the way you came, along the watershed fence.

6. 6

   Ancrow Brow North Top → Harrop Pike (1.9 km, 113 m)

   Climb of about 113 m over 1.9 km (around 6% average).

   Leave Ancrow Brow and continue the persistent, gentle pull along the watershed. The ground slowly becomes slightly firmer and stonier as you gain elevation, eventually leading you to the prominent, well-built summit cairn of Harrop Pike, which abruptly overlooks the deep trench of the A6 and the eastern Shap fells.

   Waypoints

   Ancrow Brow, watershed ridge, Harrop Pike summit (637m).

   Decision point

   The fence line eventually meets a drystone wall near the summit. The large, prominent cairn of Harrop Pike is a superb visual target and a crucial turning point for the horseshoe, marking the apex of the route before you begin the return leg.

   Easy to get wrong

   After miles of featureless grass, Harrop Pike provides a distinct, satisfying summit experience. However, this corner of the route is highly exposed to biting easterly winds that whip up from the Eden Valley, offering zero shelter on the summit approach.

   If you need to get off

   We have not checked a line down from Harrop Pike for this guide, so none is offered here. The way back is the way you came.

7. 7

   Harrop Pike → Great Yarlside (2.7 km, 33 m)

   Descent of about 46 m over 2.7 km.

   Turn east, leaving Harrop Pike to begin the eastern arm of the horseshoe back toward the start. The route traverses a massive, sprawling, grassy ridge, dropping steadily over trackless turf to cross a wide saddle before making a negligible rise to the sweeping summit of Great Yarlside.

   Waypoints

   Harrop Pike (turn), eastern horseshoe ridge, Great Yarlside summit (591m).

   Decision point

   A boundary fence once again serves as your primary lifeline, running east along the spine of the ridge. Keep it within sight at all times; if you lose it in the clag, stop immediately and use a compass to relocate it before proceeding.

   Easy to get wrong

   The terrain is thick, spongy grass that is incredibly punishing on tired ankles after several miles of similar ground, although OSM maps a path along this stage (on the ground it may be faint). The ridge here is so broad that in hill fog, the sense of exposure vanishes entirely, replaced by a claustrophobic, featureless green void.

   If you need to get off

   We have not checked a line down from this ridge for this guide, so none is offered here.

8. 8

   Great Yarlside → Little Yarlside (0.7 km, 4 m)

   Descent of about 71 m over 0.7 km.

   Drop swiftly off the southern nose of Great Yarlside, descending a steep, grassy bank into a distinct, narrow saddle. Cross the short depression and step up onto the minor, grassy knoll of Little Yarlside.

   Waypoints

   Great Yarlside descent, connecting saddle, Little Yarlside summit (518m).

   Decision point

   The fence line drops directly into the saddle and climbs straight up the other side to Little Yarlside. The topography here is much sharper and more defined than the northern plateau, making visual navigation relatively straightforward.

   Easy to get wrong

   The descent into the saddle is surprisingly steep compared to the rolling gradients of the rest of the horseshoe, and the grass here turns extremely slick and treacherous after rainfall. The saddle itself is a notorious trap for standing water.

   If you need to get off

   We have not checked a line down from this saddle for this guide, so none is offered here.

9. 9

   Little Yarlside → Whatshaw Common (1.6 km, 74 m)

   Descent of about 102 m, then a climb of about 74 m, over 1.6 km.

   Continue south along the ridge line, navigating one final, undulating stretch of rough, peaty moorland. The route drops slightly before grinding out a final, gentle climb over tussock grass to reach the flat, unremarkable expanse of Whatshaw Common.

   Waypoints

   Little Yarlside, southern moorland, Whatshaw Common.

   Decision point

   Stick religiously to the boundary wall/fence that crosses the common. Whatshaw Common lacks a distinct summit; it is simply the final high swell of ground before the ridge abruptly terminates and drops back to the valleys.

   Easy to get wrong

   By this stage of the day, the 74 meters of ascent will feel significantly harder than the numbers suggest. The ground is heavily rutted with deep, hidden drainage cuts that are easily obscured by the long grass, posing a constant tripping hazard for tired legs.

   If you need to get off

   You are nearing the end of the high-level route. We have not checked a line down the flanks for this guide, so none is offered here.

10. Whatshaw Common → Finish (6.3 km, 52 m)

    Descent of about 261 m, with about 52 m of climbing, over 6.3 km.

    Head east off Whatshaw Common, then drop steeply south, dropping rapidly on a byway through the intake gates to cross Crookdale Beck at Crookdale Bridge. From here, follow the tarmac byway south down Crookdale with the beck on your left, cross Borrow Beck at High Borrow Bridge, and keep south on the lane and then the A6 for the last kilometre, on the long, low-level walk out back to your starting point.

    Waypoints

    Whatshaw Common descent, valley intake walls, Crookdale Bridge (Crookdale Beck), High Borrow Bridge (Borrow Beck), the A6, finish point.

    Decision point

    Aim for the distinct boundary walls at the base of the fell. Once you pass through the gates and hit the main valley track, the track is a clear handrail out of the valley.

    Easy to get wrong

    The initial drop off the fell is fiercely steep and can be brutal on the knees, requiring zig-zagging to ease the gradient on wet grass. The subsequent 6+ km valley walk out is beautiful but extremely long, and the hard, stony farm tracks will feel unforgiving on feet that have spent all day on soft, spongy peat.

    If you need to get off

    You are on the final escape route. Stick to the byway along Crookdale Beck and the lane beyond it, avoiding the temptation to cut corners through the private, walled pastures lining the river.