Wainwrights in 21 Days

33km & 2501m (20miles & 8203ft)

Predicted Walking Time 10hr 03m

To download the gpx file click on the button below.

​

​

​

This route in the Southern Wainwright fells has more road than most of these trips, but to compensate, it passes some of Lakeland's favourite views.

 

The path to Pike O'Blisco and onwards to Crinkle Crags are well used and very clear. South of Crinkle Crags summit, you could choose to use Wainwright's "Bad Step" but most people avoid it following the larger path to the West.

​

After returning down the Crinkles note that Cold Pike summit is East of the path. The path from Cold Pike over Rough Crags seems to have disappeared, instead it is better to cross Red Tarn Moss high up and so avoid too much bog.

 

After crossing the Wrynose Pass road, climb gradually to Great Carr and Swirl How, and continue along the ridge to Wetherlam.

​

|The suggested route involves some minor scrambling down the many routes on Wetherlam Edge. Note that some parts of Wetherlam Edge need care when wet; an easier but longer alternative is to go South from the summit down to Hole Rake.

 

The following three peaks involve longish trips, sometimes on road. Holme Fell is a good example of Wainwright's comment that the best views come from the minor hills. Next you pass Tarn Howes, though you would have to divert slightly to find the best spot for a photograph!

​

Black Crag can, fortunately, be found quite easily using a path not shown on the OS map. Aim for the point at which the public footpath leaves Iron Keld plantation on its Northern boundary. From this point there is a direct path to the summit. From Black Crag there is then a direct path going West to return to the footpath.

​

To reach Little Langdale, the most direct route turns right at High Park and descends to stepping stones across the beck. After heavy rain you could continue from High Park to Stang End and turn right there, using a bridge to cross.

​

Finally, you need to traverse Lingmoor. The track to the quarry contiinues along the ridge. Alternatively there is a lower path along the Western side, but this then invoilves some off-piste navigation to reach the ridge at Brown How. When recce-ing this route, I found the Lingmoor Fell ridge hard work at the end of a long day.