Extended Mosedale Horseshoe

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Pillar (6.4 km, 826 m)

   Climb of about 826 m over 6.4 km (around 13% average).

   Leave the valley and follow the well-trodden path up the desolate length of Mosedale, steadily gaining altitude to reach the crosswinds of Black Sail Pass. From the hause, turn sharply west and commit to the long, grinding ascent up the eastern ridge of Pillar, navigating a succession of false summits and rocky steps to arrive at the flat, stony summit plateau

   Waypoints

   Wasdale Head, Mosedale valley path, Gatherstone Beck, Black Sail Pass (545m), Looking Stead, Pillar summit (892m)

   Decision point

   The deep trench of the Mosedale valley safely funnels you all the way to Black Sail Pass. Once on the ridge, an intermittent line of old, rusted fence posts and a well-cairned path guide the way up the broad shoulder directly to Pillar's summit trig point

   Easy to get wrong

   The Mosedale valley is notoriously boggy and can feel like a slog even in dry conditions. The final pull from Black Sail Pass up Pillar is a massive, relentless physical effort; the upper mountain is heavily armored with rocks and scree, making the final approach punishing on the calves

   If you need to get off

   From Black Sail Pass, you can simply turn around and drop back down into Mosedale to return safely to Wasdale Head. If you are halfway up Pillar and conditions deteriorate, retrace your steps eastwards back down the ridge to the pass; do not attempt to drop north or south off Pillar's steep flanks

2. 2

   Pillar → Black Crag (0.8 km, 39 m)

   Descent of about 87 m over 0.8 km.

   Leave the expansive summit of Pillar and head south-west, dropping steeply down a loose, deeply eroded path to the depression of Wind Gap. From this saddle, immediately begin the short, sharp, rocky pull up the other side to reach the minor summit of Black Crag

   Waypoints

   Pillar summit plateau, Wind Gap (820m), Black Crag summit

   Decision point

   Wind Gap is the obvious, deep notch on the ridge line ahead. When descending in clag, ensure you keep the steep drops into the Mosedale basin strictly to your left (east) and do not stray towards the Ennerdale side on your right

   Easy to get wrong

   The descent into Wind Gap is notoriously unpleasant. It is heavily eroded, covered in loose scree, and acts as a wind tunnel during gales. Footing is treacherous here, and a slip will result in a painful slide over jagged rocks

   If you need to get off

   Wind Gap offers a steep, rough scree-run escape route eastwards directly down into Mosedale. This is a punishing descent on the knees but will get you off the ridge quickly in a severe storm, rejoining the valley floor path back to Wasdale Head

3. 3

   Black Crag → Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) (0.8 km, 34 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.8 km.

   Continue south-west along the high ridge, maintaining elevation over a relatively flat but highly stony plateau. The route skirts the top of the impressive Mosedale crags before arriving at the broad, featureless summit of Scoat Fell

   Waypoints

   Black Crag, Mosedale rim, Scoat Fell summit (841m)

   Decision point

   A dilapidated drystone wall runs right across the plateau of Scoat Fell. Keep this wall to your right (west) to stay safely away from the sheer crags to your left. The wall acts as an excellent handrail in whiteout conditions

   Easy to get wrong

   While the gradient is forgiving, the terrain underfoot is a chaotic jumble of stones and boulders that requires constant attention. The sheer eastern edge of this ridge plunges vertically into Mosedale; massive cornices build over this edge in winter, making it a fatal hazard

   If you need to get off

   There are no safe bail routes descending directly into Mosedale from this section due to the sheer crags. In an emergency, your best bet is to push forward to Scoat Fell and navigate westwards down the gentler slopes towards Nether Beck, though this leaves you in a different valley system

4. 4

   Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) → Steeple (0.4 km, 0 m)

   Descent of about 43 m over 0.4 km.

   Leave the main ridge and head due north across the narrow, rocky arête, threading your way along the crest to reach the dramatically situated, sharp summit of Steeple, before turning around to retrace your exact steps back to Scoat Fell

   Waypoints

   Scoat Fell wall junction, the arête, Steeple summit (819m)

   Decision point

   The ridge line out to Steeple is unmistakable and impossible to stray from in good weather. In heavy clag, ensure you take a precise back-bearing from Steeple to hit the Scoat Fell wall exactly where you left it

   Easy to get wrong

   This is a short but highly exposed out-and-back spur. The arête features steep, committing drops on both sides into Mosedale and Windscale Bottom. While not a technical scramble, high winds can make this narrow crossing incredibly intimidating and dangerous

   If you need to get off

   If the wind is howling or the exposure feels too great, simply omit this short spur. Stay on the broad safety of Scoat Fell and continue the main horseshoe route towards Red Pike

5. 5

   Steeple → Red Pike (Wasdale) (1.5 km, 88 m)

   Climb of about 88 m over 1.5 km (around 6% average).

   Retrace the narrow arête back to the sanctuary of Scoat Fell, then turn south-east to follow the rim of the horseshoe. The path traces the very edge of the escarpment, rising gently over grassy and stony ground to top out on the prominent summit of Red Pike

   Waypoints

   Scoat Fell plateau, Mosedale rim, Red Pike (Wasdale) summit (828m)

   Decision point

   Continue to follow the line of the escarpment edge, maintaining a safe distance. The path is well-worn into the reddish rock and scree that gives Red Pike its name, leading directly to the prominent summit cairn

   Easy to get wrong

   The walking here is relatively straightforward, but the continuous vertical drops to your left (east) demand respect. The summit of Red Pike is perched right on the edge of the crags, and the stony plateau can become incredibly disorientating in thick mist

   If you need to get off

   Do not attempt to bail east into Mosedale from here. If you need to exit the high fells rapidly, reverse your course slightly and navigate west down the grassy slopes towards Scoat Tarn and Nether Beck, accepting that this requires a long walk-out back to Wasdale via the valley road

6. 6

   Red Pike (Wasdale) → Yewbarrow North Top (Stirrup Crag) (2.3 km, 27 m)

   Descent of about 305 m over 2.3 km.

   Drop fiercely from Red Pike, negotiating the badly eroded and loose path down to the deep saddle at Dore Head. From the col, face the daunting, near-vertical profile of Stirrup Crag and tackle the hands-on scramble directly up the rock face to top out on the northern prow of Yewbarrow

   Waypoints

   Red Pike descent ridge, Dore Head (col, 475m), Stirrup Crag, Yewbarrow North Top (616m)

   Decision point

   The massive cleft of Dore Head is impossible to miss as the obvious low point ahead. When scrambling up Stirrup Crag, follow the polished rock and crampon scratches, which generally indicate the safest and most established lines of ascent through the crag bands

   Easy to get wrong

   The descent to Dore Head is notoriously steep and choked with shifting scree, demanding slow, deliberate footwork to avoid slipping. The subsequent ascent of Stirrup Crag is a severe, exposed Grade 1 scramble; the rock can be treacherously greasy when wet, and it requires confident hand-and-foot coordination over significant drops

   If you need to get off

   Dore Head is a critical bail point. If the scramble up Stirrup Crag looks too intimidating or the rock is wet, escape right (south-west) down the steep scree of Dore Head Screes straight to the Overbeck valley floor, bypassing Yewbarrow entirely and securing an easy walk back to the start

7. 7

   Yewbarrow North Top (Stirrup Crag) → Yewbarrow (0.9 km, 119 m)

   Climb of about 119 m over 0.9 km (around 13% average).

   From the top of Stirrup Crag, walk south along the undulating, spectacular spine of Yewbarrow. The path weaves through rocky outcrops and over minor dips, keeping to the crest of the ridge all the way to the true summit

   Waypoints

   Yewbarrow North Top, central ridge line, Yewbarrow summit (628m)

   Decision point

   The ridge is narrow and linear, making navigation straightforward even in poor visibility. Simply stick to the highest ground and follow the heavily worn path through the rocks southwards

   Easy to get wrong

   This is a magnificent, airy traverse, but the terrain remains rocky and uneven, requiring constant concentration. The ridge is exposed to the wind from all directions, and minor down-scrambling is required to negotiate small rock steps along the crest

   If you need to get off

   Once you are on the ridge of Yewbarrow, you are committed. The flanks on both the Overbeck (west) and Wasdale (east) sides are incredibly steep, craggy, and covered in deep bracken or scree. Do not attempt to bail off the sides; continue along the ridge to the designated descent path

8. Yewbarrow → Finish (3.5 km, 168 m)

   Climb of about 168 m over 3.5 km (around 5% average).

   Continue south from the summit before initiating the notoriously steep and rough descent off the southern nose of Yewbarrow. Pick your way carefully down the craggy steps near Bell Rib, dropping down the loose gullies to finally reach the valley floor, then follow the road and field paths back to the starting point

   Waypoints

   Yewbarrow southern ridge, Great Door / Bell Rib descent, Overbeck bridge, Wasdale Head road, Finish point

   Decision point

   On the descent, stick rigorously to the established path threading between the crags; straying too far left or right quickly leads to impassable cliffs. Once on the valley floor, the dark ribbon of Wastwater and the valley road provide a fail-safe handrail back to Wasdale Head

   Easy to get wrong

   The descent off the southern end of Yewbarrow is often underestimated; it is punishingly steep, features loose rock, and requires minor down-scrambling. Legs will be exhausted at this point in the horseshoe, making the steep drops highly unforgiving on tired knees and testing concentration to the very end

   If you need to get off

   As this is the final descent stage, you must see it through. Take it very slowly, use poles if you have them, and if clag descends, carefully check your line between the crag bands before committing to a gully. Once on the valley floor, safety is assured