Recommended Map - Ordnance Survey Maps - Outdoor Leisure Map 4- North Western Area (1:25,000) and Outdoor Leisure Map 6 - South Western Area (1:25,000)
Start and End Point – Wasdale Green Car Park - free of charge
Distance 17.8 kilometres (10.69 miles)
Distance including gradient 20.67 kilometres (12.84 miles)
Time - 7.5 to 8.5 hours
Maximum Height Achieved - 892 metres, (2926 feet)
Total Ascent - 1435 metres (4708 feet)
Accommodation – various hotels, pubs, camping and private accomodation in the area. See the accomodation section in the links page
Wasdale has to be just about the best valley in the Lakes for me. There is not one bad walk in and around the valley, be it high level or low level. It's quiet, off the beaten track and stunningly spectacular. Having the likes of Gable, the Scafells and the Screes at your disposal, probably explains why the Mosedale Horseshoe isn't the first tick on anyone's list. However, it should be, and the photo's and narrative below will show you why.
This version of the Mosedale Horseshoe includes the Pillar Rock route and also Yewbarrow. It's an awesome walk, with just about everything you could wish for included. For an easier version, without the vertigo inducing extra's, click here. This is a long walk, and it would be a push to squeeze it into a short winter day. The last thing you would want, is to be descending Yewbarrow in darkness down the screes. In the wet and ice, I could well imagine the slab, just before reaching the base of Pillar Rock, being a real issue too.
I must thank both Paul Belsten and Jock Mackay for a great day out, without whom I would certainly have changed my mind ascending Yewbarrow. Jock's experience and calmness coupled with Paul's competitive nature ensured that a 188 heart rate didn't stop me! Having now done Yewbarrow, I actually can't wait to do it again so that I can really enjoy it next time around.
Fantastic weather, with sunshine and plenty of heat ensured energy sapping but rewarding conditions. None of us had any water left after the descent of Yewbarrow and so the campsite at Wasdale was a welcome sight - especially the shop and it's stock of refrigerated drinks!
Tip: Click on the photographs for a larger, more detailed image. They are all size 1600 by 1200 and are ideal for computer desktop wallpaper.
Update 9th June 2007. More photo's added after a return to the Mosedale Horseshoe.
From the Green, head north up the walled road to the Hotel buildings. The route you need to take intersects the buildings and arrives alongside a stream. Follow the stream north until the bridge where the path splits. Carry on over the bridge and go through the gate. The path initially follows a wall on your left in a north-westerly direction before the landscape opens out at the neck of the Mosedale valley.
At this time Kirk Fell is on your right, and you can see Black Sail pass swinging into view as you walk - deep in early morning shadow if you are lucky with the weather. The path is distinct, dry and easy to follow. When offered a choice of paths at Gatherstone Beck, take the one heading right and up towards Black Sail Pass. Gradually the height is now gained as you walk north to north-east alongside the stream to your left. Cross the stream and carry on up the path. Don't worry if the water is too high or fast-flowing to cross. In this case, just keep on upwards and you'll find that the stream narrows suitably in several places - allowing a crossing. Once across the stream, keep to the left-most path that heads up towards Looking Stead, leaving the stream to your right. Eventually you swing left over the brow and skirt up towards Looking Stead.
From Looking Stead you head towards Pillar. You can see the path to Robinson's Cairn branching right near the beginning of the ascent to Pillar. In the first picture above you can just about make it out, with a person in a white shirt walking along it. The second picture shows the path much better, taken from near the start.
The pictures give a pretty good representation of the path to Robinson's Cairn (in the distance on the first photo). There are a few rocky sections which need a some care but nothing too demading. Once reached, the view from Robinson's Cairn is excellent. It also gives you a first look at Pillar as well as the route to its base. The route now gets a little more energetic and, as you can see from the last photo, you have a drop to your right.
In the dry, the path from Robinson's Cairn to the base of Pillar Rock is a different animal altogether from that in the wet and ice. In the first picture above, look closely for the slab of rock right across the path just before the route turns left and upwards. In the dry it was no problem, but from what I am told, it can be very slippery in the wet. To the right, the path drops away to Pillar Cove. After the slab, you start to climb upwards along a rocky section. It is well pictured above and shows exactly what you can expect. Gradually the path levels somewhat before bending round to the impressive Pillar Rock, often decorated with several climbers.
From the base of Pillar Rock, the path to the summit is a slog, straight up heading almost due south. The path is steep and well defined, but you will need your hands in places. As you climb, don't forget to look back to the breathtaking view of Pillar Rock.
From the summit cairn, head south-west losing height along the path towards Wind Gap. Look out for the glorious views from here - great for the camera shots! From Wind Gap you climb again up the path over Black Crag to Little Scoat Fell. A high wall accompanies you on the right. Gradually the wall lowers and there are a couple of places to cross and bag the summit of Little Scoat Fell, on the way to the eagerly anticipated target of Steeple. It seems sad, but Little Scoat Fell is more appreciated for its view of Steeple, rather than its own summit.
From Little Scoat Fell, head west then due north to get to the short ridge walk across to Steeple, before the short climb to the summit. Once there, the summit Steeple does not disappoint. It has a wonderful 360 degree view and is a perfect place for lunch on a dry sunny day.
From Steeple, make your way back to Little Scoat Fell and then south-east towards Red Pike. Stick to the path that hugs the crags. On the way you'll see Scoat Tarn down in the valley to your right. In front to your left, the crags of Red Pike look imposing. The summit of Red Pike is quickly achieved, and again the views are sensational.
Keep going straight along summit of Red Pike and a brief rocky descent brings you out to the path taking you down to Dore Head. The path can initially be difficult to make out on the rocky ridge, but keep straight direct to Dore Head and you will find it. In front the incredible Yewbarrow looms.
At Dore Head you have a choice of 3 routes back to Wasdale. One route is over Yewbarrow (which we are taking here). Another path is down the screes to the Mosedale valley to the left side (which depends on whether you like scree descents or not). The 3rd option - via Over Beck path is the easy way around and meets up with the path down from Yewbarrow further down the valley (click here for details).
Given a choice, I probably wouldn't have ascended Stirrup Crag to the summit of Yewbarrow. Looking at Paul on the way down from Red Pike, he had almost ground to a halt. However, Paul cannot be faulted for his grim determination and he refused to finish the walk any other way other than ascending Stirrup Crag........ Bugger.
So then I had a choice........well, actually no I didn't. There was no way I was ever going to back out, and up we went.
The first section is a short scree scramble as it takes you up to the rocky ascent. At this point I didn't have a problem with it. Then the rocky section begins. You will need to use your hands and a good head for heights in places. To say I was calm ascending this would not be true. Half way up I had a heart rate of 188, not just from the effort but also the adrenaline. Jock's calming influence were perfect as I tried to slow the ascent from a mad dash up the rocks. One bit at the initial part started me off, where you swing across around a boulder and over to a good step on the other side. Looking back, it really wasn't that bad of an ascent. My head made it bigger than what it was. I really want to go back and do this again now, but next time take it slowly and savour it. If you have a head for heights, then I highly recommend this ascent. It is an incredible way to finish a walk and well worth the 20 minute climb.
Above are some pictures of Paul Belsten and Jon Southworth climbing Yewbarrow on the 9th June 2007. I've tamed my views on how difficult I thought it was from my first ascent.
Once you get to the top, it is a quick hop to the first of the two summits. The walk to the second (and marginally higher) summit is a straightforward affair along the wide plateau of Yewbarrow's top.
Descending Yewbarrow is interesting experience to say the least. Look out for the great views down to Wastwater on your left as you descend from the summit of Yewbarrow.
And then the fun starts! (if you like descending rocky scree). I probably can't add anything to what the pictures clearly show. Some sections are loose and rocky, others are heavy scree, whilst portions are simply a rocky descent.
You leave the scree behind at Dropping Crag and a steep path takes you down to join the Over Beck path. Go through the gate then drop down the very steep grassy hill towards Bowderdale. Turn left before you get to the road to stay a while longer on the grass (rather than road). After 500 metres or so, the path joins the road to Wasdale Head. Continue along it. You can either carry straight on to Wasdale Head or take the nicer route via the campsite. The added attraction of the campsite is the shop. It has a fridge with cold drinks! You'll also find toliet facilities there. A fairly direct route at the back of the campsite takes you via 'Down in the Dale' to rejoin the road to Wasdale with a 400 metre stretch of tarmac to negotiate before arriving back at Wasdale Green car park. What a walk to remember! It's an absolute cracker.
This walk and pictures are protected by copyright©. Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without the prior permission of the author. If you wish to use this document, then contact me. I would also like to hear your comments and thoughts. If you use this document for your walk please give me feedback (good or bad). If you have very good quality photographs and a good narrative and want them on these pages, contact me also.
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Author - Antony Towers – 3rd August 2006. I hope you enjoy this walk either virtually or in reality as much as I did but please remember that your safety is your responsibility. Always use a map, compass and be equipped for the conditions. Conditions can change very quickly, even at low levels. Check the weather conditions before setting off and always be prepared for Mother Nature.
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