Stile End, Outerside, Causey Pike, Rowling End

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Stile End (2.2 km, 352 m)

   Climb of about 352 m over 2.2 km (around 16% average).

   Typically starting from the village of Braithwaite, this route initially follows the farm lanes before breaking out onto the open, grassy fell. While many walkers head directly up the spine of Barrow to the north, this route takes the slightly more southern trajectory to tackle the steep, heathery nose of Stile End. The climb is a persistent 16% gradient, pulling you up a distinct but rugged path that weaves through thick heather and bracken to reach a modest summit that offers a superb, lower-level vantage point of the Coledale Horseshoe

   Waypoints

   Braithwaite (approx. 70m): The valley-bottom starting point. Braithwaite Lodge / Intake Wall: The boundary marking the end of the farm track and the beginning of the open fell. Stile End Summit (447m): A grassy, heathery prominence sitting squarely between Barrow and Outerside

   Decision point

   Barrow (The Neighboring Fell): The ridge of Barrow runs parallel to your right (north). Use its bulk to keep yourself oriented—if you drift too far right into the depression between them, you will lose your line to Stile End. Line of Sight: Derwentwater will be opening up spectacularly directly behind you (east) as you climb

   Easy to get wrong

   Summer Bracken: From June to September, the lower slopes are entirely smothered in dense, aggressive bracken. Pushing through it off-path is exhausting and massively increases the risk of tick bites. Steep Gradient: The ascent out of Braithwaite offers no warm-up; it is a steep, lung-bursting pull straight from the valley floor

   If you need to get off

   Simply turn around and trace the grassy descent path directly back down to the Braithwaite intake walls. It is a completely safe, straightforward retreat

2. 2

   Stile End → Outerside (1.2 km, 139 m)

   Climb of about 139 m over 1.2 km (around 12% average).

   From the summit of Stile End, the path dips briefly into a shallow, occasionally boggy saddle before immediately pitching up again to tackle the eastern flank of Outerside. The gradient here softens to around 12%, but the terrain becomes rougher, transitioning from grass into thicker heather and blueberry bushes. The path weaves steadily upward until depositing you on the neat, compact, rocky summit of Outerside

   Waypoints

   The Saddle: The minor depression separating Stile End and Outerside. Outerside Summit (568m): A prominent rocky peak sitting isolated between the towering ridges of Coledale and Causey Pike

   Decision point

   Coledale Valley: The massive, flat trench of the Coledale valley sits to your right (north). Keep this immense void on your right to ensure you are moving west toward the summit

   Easy to get wrong

   Path Braiding: As you climb Outerside, the trail splinters into several minor sheep trods through the heather. Most converge near the summit, but some lines are rougher and steeper than others. Boggy Hollows: The saddle between the two fells can hold water after heavy Lake District rain, requiring minor detours

   If you need to get off

   From the saddle between Stile End and Outerside, you can bail right (north), dropping down to intercept the main, flat Coledale mine track, which leads directly back to Braithwaite

3. 3

   Outerside → Causey Pike (1.4 km, 131 m)

   Climb of about 131 m over 1.4 km (around 9% average).

   Leaving Outerside, the route drops south into the notoriously wet and sprawling depression of High Moss. Once you have navigated the bogs, the route bypasses the Scar Crags ridge (often done on longer circuits) and instead tackles a steep, zig-zagging ascent straight up the northern flank of Causey Pike. The terrain rapidly changes from squelchy peat to loose scree and shattered rock, culminating in a short, hands-on scramble to mount the famous rocky "bobble" of the summit

   Waypoints

   High Moss (approx. 500m): The expansive, boggy saddle separating Outerside from the main Causey Pike/Scar Crags ridge. Causey Pike Summit (637m): A highly distinctive, bumpy summit marked by a rocky outcrop that requires minor scrambling to conquer

   Decision point

   The Main Ridge: The towering wall of the Scar Crags to Causey Pike ridge looms above High Moss. Aim directly for the distinctive bumps of Causey Pike to the south-east

   Easy to get wrong

   The High Moss Swamp: This area acts as a massive sponge. Navigating around the deep peat hags is tedious, and wet boots are almost guaranteed here year-round. Steep Flank Climb: The pull out of High Moss directly up to Causey Pike is a sharp, breathless shock. The path is loose and heavily eroded. Summit Scramble: Reaching the absolute highest point of Causey Pike requires using your hands to pull yourself over polished rock

   If you need to get off

   Safe Route: If you do not want to tackle the steep scramble up to the high ridge, turn east from High Moss and follow the path down alongside Stonycroft Gill. This will lead you safely into the Newlands Valley

4. 4

   Causey Pike → Rowling End (1.2 km, 0 m)

   Descent of about 201 m over 1.2 km.

   From the summit of Causey Pike, the route drops aggressively eastwards off the "bobble." This initial descent is steep, rocky, and requires hands-on downclimbing over polished rock steps. Once you clear this craggy section, the gradient eases into a grassy, undulating ridge descent heading over the minor saddle of Sleet Hause and down to the subsidiary prominence of Rowling End

   Waypoints

   The Causey Pike Downclimb: The steep, rocky steps immediately leaving the summit. Sleet Hause: The minor grassy saddle on the descent ridge. Rowling End (433m): The final notable bump on the eastern ridge before the steep plunge to the valley floor

   Decision point

   The Eastern Ridge: The ridge line extending down to Rowling End is visually unmistakable, pointing directly toward Derwentwater and the Skiddaw massif

   Easy to get wrong

   The Downclimb: The rocky step off Causey Pike is intimidating. It is highly polished by boot traffic and becomes dangerously slick in rain or ice. Take your time, lower your center of gravity, and face the rock if necessary. Knee Impact: Once off the rocks, the descent along the spine of the ridge is sustained and steep, putting significant pressure on tired joints

   If you need to get off

   Before committing to the steep downclimb off Causey Pike, your only real bail is to retreat west toward Scar Crags. Once you have descended the rocky steps, you are committed to the Rowling End descent. Do not drift south off the ridge into the steep, pathless bracken of Rigg Beck

5. Rowling End → Finish (3.8 km, 60 m)

   Climb of about 60 m over 3.8 km (around 2% average).

   Leaving Rowling End, the path plunges directly down the steep, grassy nose of the fell, zigzagging tightly through heavy bracken to reach the valley floor at Stonycroft. From here, the rugged mountain terrain ends completely. The final leg is a long, undulating valley walk along the quiet Newlands Valley road, contouring the base of Barrow and Stile End to return to the starting point in Braithwaite

   Waypoints

   Stonycroft Gill / Bridge: The point where you hit the valley floor and cross the water. Newlands Valley Road: The tarmac road tracing the bottom of the fells. Braithwaite: The finish point

   Decision point

   Stonycroft Gill: Aim for the bridge at the base of the fell to intercept the road. The Road: Once you hit the tarmac at Stonycroft, turn left (north) and simply follow it. It acts as an absolute handrail, skirting the base of the fells all the way back to the village

   Easy to get wrong

   Jarring Final Descent: The grassy drop off Rowling End is fiercely steep. When wet, this slope is a notorious slip hazard; trekking poles will save you from a nasty slide. Traffic Hazard: The walk back to Braithwaite is on a narrow country lane. While generally quiet, cars and farm vehicles can appear suddenly around blind, walled corners. Mental Fatigue: The nearly 4 km walk out on tarmac can feel like a slog after the high-adrenaline ridge walk, requiring a shift in mindset to push through the final hour

   If you need to get off

   This is the final exit stage. The steep descent off Rowling End commits you to the Newlands Valley floor. Once on the road, you are perfectly safe and locked onto the direct route back to your car. *.