Stonesty Pike, Great Knott & Wrynose Fell

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Wrynose Pass Car Park → Wrynose Fell - Long Crag (2.3 km, 283 m)

   Descent of about 114 m, then a climb of about 283 m, over 2.3 km.

   Starting from the Three Shire Stone at the crest of Wrynose Pass, this route heads immediately onto the rugged, undulating terrain of the Southern Fells. The path pushes north-east and then north-west towards the subsidiary ridge of Wrynose Fell, specifically targeting Long Crag. The terrain is a mix of grassy hummocks, scattered rock outcrops, and boggy depressions. The 11% gradient provides a steady but rough warm-up over pathless, uneven ground.

   Waypoints

   Three Shire Stone (approx. 393m): The historic boundary marker and summit of the pass. Wrynose Fell - Long Crag (545m): A distinct, separate pinnacle of rock protruding from the fellside.

   Decision point

   The Valley Drop: Keep the immense drop into Wrynose Bottom strictly to your left (west) as you climb.

   Easy to get wrong

   Faint Paths: There is no engineered path here; you are weaving through hummocks and sheep trods. Boggy Hollows: After rain, the depressions between the rocky outcrops become deep, boot-sucking bogs.

   If you need to get off

   Turn back and trace the grassy slopes east directly down to the Wrynose Pass road. Do not attempt to drop down the sheer craggy sides into the valley bottom.

2. 2

   Wrynose Fell - Long Crag → Cold Pike (2.9 km, 336 m)

   Climb of about 336 m over 2.9 km (around 12% average).

   From Long Crag, the route arcs west, dropping slightly to cross the notoriously wet, sprawling saddle of Redtarn Moss. After navigating the bogs, the path pitches up steeply to tackle the southern flanks of Cold Pike. The gradient kicks up to 12% as you transition from peat hags to a rocky, craggy ascent, arriving at a sharply defined, boulder-strewn summit.

   Waypoints

   Redtarn Moss: The sprawling, boggy depression separating the Wrynose peaks from the main Pike of Blisco/Crinkle Crags massif. Cold Pike Summit (700m): A prominent, rocky tor offering superb views of the Crinkles.

   Decision point

   Pike of Blisco: The massive, pyramidal bulk of Pike of Blisco looms clearly to your right (north) across the tarn. Keep it on your right. The Crinkles: The towering skyline of Crinkle Crags is dead ahead.

   Easy to get wrong

   The Moss Swamp: Redtarn Moss is a boot-soaker year-round. Weave carefully to avoid the deepest peat and standing water. Rocky Scramble: The final pull up to Cold Pike requires minor high-stepping over boulders that become slick in the rain.

   If you need to get off

   From Redtarn Moss, drop east towards Red Tarn and pick up the heavily trodden path back down to the Three Shire Stone at Wrynose Pass.

3. 3

   Cold Pike → Great Knott (1.1 km, 64 m)

   Descent of about 69 m, then a climb of about 64 m, over 1.1 km.

   A short, undulating ridge walk heading north-west. You drop slightly from Cold Pike onto a stony saddle before making a very brief, gentle pull up to Great Knott. The terrain is rough and rocky underfoot, typical of the high Crinkle Crags approaches, but the elevation gain here is minimal.

   Waypoints

   The Saddle: The rocky depression connecting Cold Pike to the main ridge. Great Knott (696m): A subsidiary, somewhat flattened bump on the ridge line preceding the main Crinkles.

   Decision point

   Line of Sight: The massive, undulating wall of Crinkle Crags directly ahead is easy to pick out and serves as your primary forward marker.

   Easy to get wrong

   Wind Exposure: This open saddle takes the full brunt of winds blowing across the high fells. Ankle-Rolling Terrain: While flat, the ground is littered with shattered rock that requires constant attention to foot placement.

   If you need to get off

   Retrace your steps to the saddle and drop east back towards Red Tarn and the Wrynose Pass retreat route. Do not drop west into the trackless, marshy trench of Moasdale.

4. 4

   Great Knott → Stonesty Pike (1.4 km, 112 m)

   Climb of about 112 m over 1.4 km (around 8% average).

   Rather than pushing onto the main Crinkle Crags ridge, this route hooks south-west, beginning a high-level traverse across the tops bounding the eastern side of Moasdale. The walk to Stonesty Pike involves crossing trackless, undulating rocky terrain. The gradient is a manageable 8%, but the lack of a distinct trod makes it a rugged, wild traverse.

   Waypoints

   The Branching Point: Where you leave the main highway path heading to Crinkle Crags. Stonesty Pike (765m): A high, rocky prominence sitting on the ridge above the Duddon Valley.

   Decision point

   Moasdale Trench: Keep the deep, marshy trench of Moasdale (separating you from Hard Knott) clearly to your right (west). Compass Bearings: If the mist is down, take a bearing from Great Knott's summit to Stonesty Pike rather than following the ground, and keep well back from the crags.

   Easy to get wrong

   Pathless Navigation: There is no clear, heavily used path connecting these subsidiary tops. You must pick your own line through boulders, heather, and alpine grass.

   If you need to get off

   Turn back to Great Knott and use the Red Tarn retreat route. Bailing directly off the eastern side of Stonesty Pike down to Wrynose Bottom is incredibly steep, craggy, and highly dangerous.

5. 5

   Stonesty Pike → Little Stand (2.2 km, 123 m)

   Descent of about 121 m, then a climb of about 123 m, over 2.2 km.

   Continuing the rugged southward traverse, the route heads from Stonesty Pike towards Little Stand. This is a wide, confusing plateau of rocky knolls, peat, and minor tarns. The elevation gain is slight (6%), but the terrain is an exhausting mix of boulder-hopping and navigating around hidden pools. Little Stand itself is a rocky promontory overlooking the Wrynose Pass road far below.

   Waypoints

   The High Plateau: The trackless, undulating ground connecting the peaks. Little Stand Summit (740m): A rocky peak sitting precariously close to the sheer eastern crags.

   Decision point

   Ridge Boundaries: Keep the sheer drop off into Moasdale on your right (west) and avoid the crags to your left (east).

   Easy to get wrong

   Clag Disorientation: The plateau is a featureless maze in mist, and the multiple rocky bumps all look identical. Lethal Crags: The eastern and southern edges of Little Stand feature sheer, fatal drops. Extreme caution is required near the edges.

   If you need to get off

   No way off this plateau has been checked for this guide, in either direction. The descent off Little Stand is steep, broken ground: do not carry on only because this page describes it as the way down. Judge whether to go on or go back from where you are, in the conditions you have. If someone cannot move safely, call 999 or 112 and ask for the police, then Mountain Rescue.

6. Little Stand → Finish (3.8 km, 158 m)

   Descent of about 522 m, then a climb of about 158 m, over 3.8 km.

   From the summit of Little Stand, you must tackle the notorious, fiercely steep descent down its south-eastern flanks. The path here is often vague, threading tightly between sheer crags and plunging down steep, grassy chutes back to the valley floor at Wrynose Bottom. Once on the valley floor, the final stretch requires a slog eastwards back up the tarmac road (or parallel valley path) to return to the Three Shire Stone parking area.

   Waypoints

   The Descent Chutes: The steep grassy ramps dropping off Little Stand. Wrynose Bottom / Cockley Beck: The flat, marshy valley floor. Wrynose Pass Road: The tarmac road winding back up the pass.

   Decision point

   Visual Routing: Navigate by sight down the grassy ramps. The Road: Once in the valley, the River Duddon and the Wrynose Pass road act as your handrails back to the start.

   Easy to get wrong

   Knee-Shattering Descent: The drop off Little Stand is treacherous. The grassy chutes turn into lethal slip-slides when wet. Poor route-finding here will quickly lead you onto impassable crags; take it very slowly. Mental Fatigue: After surviving the descent, you are faced with a 158m climb back up the Wrynose Pass road to your car—a grueling finish to a tough route.

   If you need to get off

   Judge the descent from the top of Little Stand, before you start down: once you are on the chutes, going back up is hard. Nothing on this descent has been field-checked for this guide.