Book Seven – The Western Fells

Walk the Wainwrights with Mark Reid on this 7-day walking trip, as we summit all the 33 ‘Wainwrights’ in Book Seven of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells (The Western Fells).

Based in the Lakeland villages of Buttermere and Nether Wasdale, we’ll spend seven days completing seven fantastic walks in the beautiful Western Fells of the Lake District.

• Reach all 33 summits (Western Fells) on eight guided mountain walks with Mark Reid, a highly experienced Mountain Leader
• Experience the camaraderie of ‘Walking the Wainwrights’ with like-minded people
• Make new walking friends and share your sense of achievement on each summit
• Sociable evenings at Buttermere & Nether Wasdale with your fellow walkers
• Small group sizes – maximum 7 people per Mountain Leader

BUTTERMERE & NETHER WASDALE, LAKE DISTRICT

This 7-day walking trip will be based from Buttermere for 3 days and then from Nether Wasdale for 4 days, from where we will be able to access the Western Fells. Buttermere and Nether Wasdale offers a range of accommodation and facilities including Youth Hostels, hotels, pubs, B&Bs and campsites. There are also lots of shops and cafes in both locations. The nearest train station is at Workington or Whitehaven. We’ll car share to the various starting points of the walks.

I would recommend staying at Buttermere on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday nights, and then at Nether Wasdale on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday nights.

OUTLINE OF THE WALKS

SUNDAY – Great Gable & Green Gable Circuit
Meet at Honister Slate Mine at 9am
Fleetwith Pike 648m
Great Gable 899m
Green Gable 801m
Base Brown 646m
Brandreth 715m
Grey Knotts 697m
14.5km / 1070m ascent

MONDAY – the High Stile Ridge
Meet at Gatesgarth at 9am
Haystacks 597m
High Crag 744m
High Stile 807m
Red Pike 755m
Starling Dodd 633m
Great Borne 616m
20km / 1280m ascent

TUESDAY – Mellbreak Round
Meet at Loweswater at 9:30am
Burnbank Fell 425m
Blake Fell 573m
Gavel Fell 526m
Hen Comb 509m
Mellbreak 512m
17.5km / 1075m ascent

WEDNESDAY – the Western Lower Fells
Meet at Loweswater at 9am (morning walk)
Fellbarrow 416m
Low Fell 423m
8km / 520m ascent

Meet at Scaly Moss at 1pm (afternoon walk)
Crag Fell 522m
Lank Rigg 541m
Grike 488m
12km / 600m ascent

THURSDAY – the Haycock Round
Meet at Greendale (Nether Wasdale) at 9am
Middle Fell 582m
Haycock 797m
Caw Fell 697m
Seatallan 692m
Buckbarrow 420m
17.5km / 1250m ascent

FRIDAY – the Mosedale Horseshoe
Meet at Wasdale Head at 8:30am
Pillar 892m
Steeple 819m
Scoat Fell 841m
Red Pike 826m
Yewbarrow 628m
15km / 1240m ascent
Car share between Overbeck Bridge and Wasdale Head.

SATURDAY – Kirk Fell
Meet at Wasdale Head at 8:30am
Kirk Fell 802m
9km / 760m ascent
Car share to Wasdale Head.

Please note: This trip includes 8 mountain walks over 7 days, with a combined total of 113 km (71 miles) and 7,795 metres of ascent (and descent). All timings and distances are approximate. The precise routes and mountains will be decided each day, given weather conditions and group needs. All walks will include mountainous terrain, steep ground and mountain summits; we may experience adverse weather conditions. Some walks will include scrambles and exposed paths or ridges. A good level of fitness & stamina will be required.