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A guide to bagging Wainwright's Lakeland Fells.

Book Seven

The Western Fells

Steeple from Scoat Fell

The Western Fells area is described in Book Seven of Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. The area is comprised of two wedge-shaped mountain groups, those between Wast Water and Ennerdale Water, and those between Ennerdale Water and Buttermere/Crummock Water. The area contains 33 Wainwrights, including popular tops such as Great Gable, Pillar, High Stile, and Wainwright’s favourite Haystacks. There are several classic walks within the area, including the Mosedale Horseshoe, and the High Stile Ridge.

Western Fells location and routes

This map shows the distribution of the 33 Western Fells. It also shows all the ridge routes described in Wainwright’s guide and any other viable routes between adjacent fells. This area is characterised by high, rocky fells and although more difficult to access, it remains a firm favourite of keen fellwalkers. The fells form a coherent group, formed of a long line of fells on a north-west/south-east axis, including the High Stile ridge, and the high fells (Pillar, Kirk Fell and Great Gable) to the north and west of Wasdale Head. Farthest west and to the south of Ennerdale, lie a remote group, including the lonely Lank Rigg.

Western Fells elevation

1,000m 900m 800m 700m 600m 500m 400m 300m 200m 100m 646.0m (2,119ft) 573.0m (1,880ft) 715.0m (2,346ft) 423.0m (1,388ft) 475.0m (1,558ft) 697.0m (2,287ft) 523.0m (1,716ft) 416.0m (1,365ft) 648.9m (2,129ft) 526.0m (1,726ft) 616.0m (2,021ft) 899.0m (2,949ft) 801.0m (2,628ft) 697.0m (2,287ft) 488.0m (1,601ft) 797.0m (2,615ft) 597.0m (1,959ft) 509.0m (1,670ft) 744.0m (2,441ft) 806.0m (2,644ft) 802.0m (2,631ft) 541.0m (1,775ft) 423.0m (1,388ft) 512.0m (1,680ft) 582.0m (1,909ft) 892.0m (2,927ft) 755.3m (2,478ft) 826.0m (2,710ft) 841.0m (2,759ft) 692.0m (2,270ft) 633.0m (2,077ft) 819.0m (2,687ft) 627.0m (2,057ft) Base Brown Blake Fell Brandreth Buckbarrow Burnbank Fell Caw Fell Crag Fell Fellbarrow Fleetwith Pike Gavel Fell Great Borne Great Gable Green Gable Grey Knotts Grike Haycock Haystacks Hen Comb High Crag High Stile Kirk Fell Lank Rigg Low Fell Mellbreak (south top) Middle Fell Pillar Red Pike [Buttermere] Red Pike [Wasdale] Scoat Fell Seatallan Starling Dodd Steeple Yewbarrow 100m 200m 300m 400m 500m 600m 700m 800m 900m 1,000m 646.0m (2,119ft) 573.0m (1,880ft) 715.0m (2,346ft) 423.0m (1,388ft) 475.0m (1,558ft) 697.0m (2,287ft) 523.0m (1,716ft) 416.0m (1,365ft) 648.9m (2,129ft) 526.0m (1,726ft) 616.0m (2,021ft) 899.0m (2,949ft) 801.0m (2,628ft) 697.0m (2,287ft) 488.0m (1,601ft) 797.0m (2,615ft) 597.0m (1,959ft) 509.0m (1,670ft) 744.0m (2,441ft) 806.0m (2,644ft) 802.0m (2,631ft) 541.0m (1,775ft) 423.0m (1,388ft) 512.0m (1,680ft) 582.0m (1,909ft) 892.0m (2,927ft) 755.3m (2,478ft) 826.0m (2,710ft) 841.0m (2,759ft) 692.0m (2,270ft) 633.0m (2,077ft) 819.0m (2,687ft) 627.0m (2,057ft) Base Brown Blake Fell Brandreth Buckbarrow Burnbank Fell Caw Fell Crag Fell Fellbarrow Fleetwith Pike Gavel Fell Great Borne Great Gable Green Gable Grey Knotts Grike Haycock Haystacks Hen Comb High Crag High Stile Kirk Fell Lank Rigg Low Fell Mellbreak (south top) Middle Fell Pillar Red Pike [Buttermere] Red Pike [Wasdale] Scoat Fell Seatallan Starling Dodd Steeple Yewbarrow

Western Fells height statistics

Number of fells
33
Total height
21,542 metres (70,677 feet)
Average height
653 metres (2,142 feet)
Highest fell
Great Gable — 899.0 metres (2,949 feet)
Lowest fell
Fellbarrow — 416.0 metres (1,365 feet)

Western Fells summits

The Wainwright top at Base Brown

Base Brown

Grid Ref
NY 22516 11464
Lat/long
54.492566,-3.197737
///W3W
volunteered.score.snacking
Height
646.0m / 2,119ft
Rank
117 / 214
Full details for Base Brown
Base Brown summit cairn, looking north-east to a distant Blencathra on the left with Clough Head and Great Dodd prominent on the horizon.
The Wainwright top at Blake Fell

Blake Fell

Grid Ref
NY 11051 19686
Lat/long
54.564552,-3.377170
///W3W
regime.speakers.mouths
Height
573.0m / 1,880ft
Rank
140 / 214
Full details for Blake Fell
The generous cairn, shaped into a wind shelter, at Blake Fell summit, looking east to Grasmoor with High Stile on the right.
The Wainwright top at Brandreth

Brandreth

Grid Ref
NY 21489 11928
Lat/long
54.496577,-3.213712
///W3W
tycoons.screen.revision
Height
715.0m / 2,346ft
Rank
79 / 214
Full details for Brandreth
The main summit cairn at Brandreth with its three metal fence posts. This view looks north to Honister slate mine with Grasmoor on the left and Dale Head on the right.
The Wainwright top at Buckbarrow

Buckbarrow

Grid Ref
NY 13570 06125
Lat/long
54.443151,-3.334247
///W3W
revealing.abundance.tastes
Height
423.0m / 1,388ft
Rank
196 / 214
Full details for Buckbarrow
Buckbarrow summit cairn, looking north-east with Middle Fell on the left and the Scafells on the right.
The Wainwright top at Burnbank Fell

Burnbank Fell

Grid Ref
NY 11002 20953
Lat/long
54.575926,-3.378312
///W3W
thatched.goofy.identity
Height
475.0m / 1,558ft
Rank
183 / 214
Full details for Burnbank Fell
The modest summit cairn at Burnbank Fell, looking east to Grasmoor with Carling Knott on the right.
The Wainwright top at Caw Fell

Caw Fell

Grid Ref
NY 13185 10999
Lat/long
54.486876,-3.341614
///W3W
inspected.mingles.pounces
Height
697.0m / 2,287ft
Rank
91 / 214
Full details for Caw Fell
Caw Fell summit cairn, looking east to Little Gowder Crag with Scoat Fell on the left and Haycock on the right.
The Wainwright top at Crag Fell

Crag Fell

Grid Ref
NY 09725 14385
Lat/long
54.516692,-3.396044
///W3W
harsh.bulge.reinstate
Height
523.0m / 1,716ft
Rank
162 / 214
Full details for Crag Fell
Crag Fell summit cairn, looking west along Ennerdale with the High Stile range behind and Pillar on the right.
The Wainwright top at Fellbarrow

Fellbarrow

Grid Ref
NY 13222 24247
Lat/long
54.605907,-3.344954
///W3W
plodding.quit.spearhead
Height
416.0m / 1,365ft
Rank
200 / 214
Full details for Fellbarrow
The triangulation column (S5229) at Fellbarrow summit, looking west, across the coastal plain to the Irish Sea.
The Wainwright top at Fleetwith Pike

Fleetwith Pike

Grid Ref
NY 20592 14166
Lat/long
54.516546,-3.228161
///W3W
working.attitudes.sundial
Height
648.9m / 2,129ft
Rank
116 / 214
Full details for Fleetwith Pike
Fleetwith Pike summit, looking north to Buttermere and Crummock Water with the High Stile range on the left.
The Wainwright top at Gavel Fell

Gavel Fell

Grid Ref
NY 11698 18384
Lat/long
54.552968,-3.366776
///W3W
entrusted.appear.obliging
Height
526.0m / 1,726ft
Rank
159 / 214
Full details for Gavel Fell
The cairn at Gavel Fell summit, looking south-east along the High Stile ridge. Hen Comb is on the left in the middle distance with Robinson beyond. On the right, Pillar appears above Starling Dodd.
The Wainwright top at Great Borne

Great Borne

Grid Ref
NY 12391 16381
Lat/long
54.535093,-3.355468
///W3W
contents.hobble.unfocused
Height
616.0m / 2,021ft
Rank
126 / 214
Full details for Great Borne
The rocky summit of Great Borne with stone-built triangulation column (S5947), looking north-east to the Grasmoor massif.
The Wainwright top at Great Gable

Great Gable

Grid Ref
NY 21101 10320
Lat/long
54.482069,-3.219271
///W3W
proposals.served.bakers
Height
899.0m / 2,949ft
Rank
7 / 214
Full details for Great Gable
Great Gable summit cairn (which comes and goes), looking south-west to Wastwater with Illgill Head and Whin Rigg on the left and Yewbarrow, Middle Fell, and Seatallan on the right.
The Wainwright top at Green Gable

Green Gable

Grid Ref
NY 21466 10716
Lat/long
54.485684,-3.213744
///W3W
snores.rectangular.nosedive
Height
801.0m / 2,628ft
Rank
35 / 214
Full details for Green Gable
Green Gable summit, looking north-west to Ennerdale with Pillar on the left and Haystacks and the High Stile range on the right.
The Wainwright top at Grey Knotts

Grey Knotts

Grid Ref
NY 21730 12566
Lat/long
54.502347,-3.210162
///W3W
trample.shame.tougher
Height
697.0m / 2,287ft
Rank
92 / 214
Full details for Grey Knotts
Grey Knotts rock tor and summit cairn (west top), looking east with the alternate summit (east top) backed by the Helvellyn range on the left, and Comb Head and Glaramara prominent on the right. Wainwright: “…the western tor has the finer view.”
The Wainwright top at Grike

Grike

Grid Ref
NY 08501 14082
Lat/long
54.513750,-3.414851
///W3W
spilled.looms.stocked
Height
488.0m / 1,601ft
Rank
177 / 214
Full details for Grike
The summit scene at Grike includes a large cairn and even larger wind shelter plus a small cairn. Wainwright: “Dilligent search will not reveal anything else of interest.” This view looks north-east with Blake Fell in the distance on the left and Crag Fell on the right.
The Wainwright top at Haycock

Haycock

Grid Ref
NY 14480 10716
Lat/long
54.484553,-3.321548
///W3W
rejects.swooning.index
Height
797.0m / 2,615ft
Rank
36 / 214
Full details for Haycock
The chaotic summit at Haycock. This view shows the large wind shelter to the north of the wall/fence, looking north-west to Ennerdale Water with the High Stile ridge on the right.
The Wainwright top at Haystacks

Haystacks

Grid Ref
NY 19336 13204
Lat/long
54.507704,-3.247295
///W3W
beside.circus.rots
Height
597.0m / 1,959ft
Rank
131 / 214
Full details for Haystacks
Haystacks (northern) summit, looking north with the Grasmoor massif on the left and Robinson on the right. Skiddaw and Skiddaw Little Man appear in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Hen Comb

Hen Comb

Grid Ref
NY 13216 18117
Lat/long
54.550832,-3.343234
///W3W
squabbles.presides.ropes
Height
509.0m / 1,670ft
Rank
171 / 214
Full details for Hen Comb
Hen Comb summit cairn, looking east to Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike, and Robinson. The Whale-back form of Mellbreak south top appears in the middle distance.
The Wainwright top at High Crag

High Crag

Grid Ref
NY 18049 13996
Lat/long
54.514613,-3.267386
///W3W
unloaded.shorthand.pound
Height
744.0m / 2,441ft
Rank
65 / 214
Full details for High Crag
High Crag summit cairn, looking south-east to Great Gable and Kirk Fell with the Scafell range in the distance.
The Wainwright top at High Stile

High Stile

Grid Ref
NY 16739 14788
Lat/long
54.521515,-3.287840
///W3W
inert.towels.covertly
Height
806.0m / 2,644ft
Rank
30 / 214
Full details for High Stile
The Wainwright summit cairn above Chapel Crags on High Stile (806m). Despite being a metre lower than the highest point on the fell, it has the best aspect and location. This view looks north-west to Ennerdale Water.
The Wainwright top at Kirk Fell

Kirk Fell

Grid Ref
NY 19495 10486
Lat/long
54.483308,-3.244098
///W3W
dabbled.birthdays.importers
Height
802.0m / 2,631ft
Rank
33 / 214
Full details for Kirk Fell
The wind shelter at Kirk Fell summit, looking north-east to the (lower) north top with Green Gable and Great Gable on the right.
The Wainwright top at Lank Rigg

Lank Rigg

Grid Ref
NY 09165 11957
Lat/long
54.494778,-3.403943
///W3W
melts.mats.wasp
Height
541.0m / 1,775ft
Rank
153 / 214
Full details for Lank Rigg
Lank Rigg summit cairn and Ordnance Survey triangulation column (S5647), looking north-east to Whoap and Great Borne.
The Wainwright top at Low Fell

Low Fell

Grid Ref
NY 13597 22264
Lat/long
54.588155,-3.338566
///W3W
prospered.housework.steaming
Height
423.0m / 1,388ft
Rank
197 / 214
Full details for Low Fell
Low Fell summit (Wainwright top), looking south to Rannerdale Knotts, Crummock Water, and Mellbreak with the High Stile ridge in the distance and Hen Comb on the right.
The Wainwright top at Mellbreak (south top)

Mellbreak (south top)

Grid Ref
NY 14843 18613
Lat/long
54.555565,-3.318231
///W3W
dribble.flushed.topics
Height
512.0m / 1,680ft
Rank
168 / 214
Full details for Mellbreak (south top)
The modest rock platform and cairn at Mellbreak south top, just 3m higher than the north top. There is higher ground (grassy dome) about 75m to the north-east. This view looks south-east to Robinson and Fleetwith Pike with the slopes of Red Pike on the right.
The Wainwright top at Middle Fell

Middle Fell

Grid Ref
NY 15079 07219
Lat/long
54.453235,-3.311300
///W3W
funded.caressed.legal
Height
582.0m / 1,909ft
Rank
135 / 214
Full details for Middle Fell
Middle Fell summit cairn, looking north-east with Kirk Fell on the left, Great Gable above the arching back of Yewbarrow on the right and the Scafells above Wast Water on the far right.
The Wainwright top at Pillar

Pillar

Grid Ref
NY 17126 12104
Lat/long
54.497464,-3.281108
///W3W
pilots.roadshow.hypocrite
Height
892.0m / 2,927ft
Rank
8 / 214
Full details for Pillar
The Ordnance Survey triangulation column (S5988) and wind shelter at the summit of Pillar, looking south-west to Scoat Fell. Although the trig column is the Wainwright top, the summit plateau has many other man-made artefacts.
The Wainwright top at Red Pike [Buttermere]

Red Pike [Buttermere]

Grid Ref
NY 16060 15458
Lat/long
54.527422,-3.298518
///W3W
puzzled.worldwide.down
Height
755.3m / 2,478ft
Rank
62 / 214
Full details for Red Pike [Buttermere]
The summit cairn and wind shelter at Red Pike [Butteremere] summit, looking north-east to Grasmoor and Wandope.
The Wainwright top at Red Pike [Wasdale]

Red Pike [Wasdale]

Grid Ref
NY 16532 10606
Lat/long
54.483907,-3.289853
///W3W
boardroom.blackmail.compound
Height
826.0m / 2,710ft
Rank
26 / 214
Full details for Red Pike [Wasdale]
Red Pike [Wasdale] summit cairn, looking east with Great Gable appearing over Kirk Fell on the left and the Scafells on the right.
The Wainwright top at Scoat Fell

Scoat Fell

Grid Ref
NY 15941 11394
Lat/long
54.490889,-3.299197
///W3W
autumn.battling.done
Height
841.0m / 2,759ft
Rank
22 / 214
Full details for Scoat Fell
The highest point on Scoat Fell, a small cairn atop the wall, looking west to the cairn at the accepted top. This is the summit for “purists”.
The Wainwright top at Seatallan

Seatallan

Grid Ref
NY 13944 08401
Lat/long
54.463663,-3.329145
///W3W
daredevil.disarmed.originate
Height
692.0m / 2,270ft
Rank
94 / 214
Full details for Seatallan
The large cairn (Wainwright top) at Seatallan summit. The cairn is a bronze age tumulus which has been repurposed as a wind shelter. Wainwright: “The big cairn on Seatallan is attributed to early British inhabitants and may well be thousands of years old.”
The Wainwright top at Starling Dodd

Starling Dodd

Grid Ref
NY 14210 15747
Lat/long
54.529709,-3.327179
///W3W
general.spike.stems
Height
633.0m / 2,077ft
Rank
122 / 214
Full details for Starling Dodd
A tangle of metal fence posts alongside a generous cairn at the summit of Starling Dodd, looking south-east to Red Pike and High Stile with Great Gable on the right.
The Wainwright top at Steeple

Steeple

Grid Ref
NY 15755 11674
Lat/long
54.493374,-3.302147
///W3W
nodded.snuggled.lawfully
Height
819.0m / 2,687ft
Rank
28 / 214
Full details for Steeple
Steeple summit cairn, looking north-east with Pillar on the right.
The Wainwright top at Yewbarrow

Yewbarrow

Grid Ref
NY 17337 08473
Lat/long
54.464875,-3.276834
///W3W
doctor.zebra.envisage
Height
627.0m / 2,057ft
Rank
123 / 214
Full details for Yewbarrow
Yewbarrow summit cairn (south top), looking east with Great Gable on the left and the Scafell massif on the right. Wainwright: “After the agonies and perils of the ascent it is an anticlimax to find the summit a peaceful and placid sheep pasture…”

Western Fells sortable data

Fell nameNo.Ht.LatLongGrid Ref.
Base Brown182646.0m54.492566-3.197737NY 22516 11464
Blake Fell183573.0m54.564552-3.377170NY 11051 19686
Brandreth184715.0m54.496577-3.213712NY 21489 11928
Buckbarrow185423.0m54.443151-3.334247NY 13570 06125
Burnbank Fell186475.0m54.575926-3.378312NY 11002 20953
Caw Fell187697.0m54.486876-3.341614NY 13185 10999
Crag Fell188523.0m54.516692-3.396044NY 09725 14385
Fellbarrow189416.0m54.605907-3.344954NY 13222 24247
Fleetwith Pike190648.9m54.516546-3.228161NY 20592 14166
Gavel Fell191526.0m54.552968-3.366776NY 11698 18384
Great Borne192616.0m54.535093-3.355468NY 12391 16381
Great Gable193899.0m54.482069-3.219271NY 21101 10320
Green Gable194801.0m54.485684-3.213744NY 21466 10716
Grey Knotts195697.0m54.502347-3.210162NY 21730 12566
Grike196488.0m54.513750-3.414851NY 08501 14082
Haycock197797.0m54.484553-3.321548NY 14480 10716
Haystacks198597.0m54.507704-3.247295NY 19336 13204
Hen Comb199509.0m54.550832-3.343234NY 13216 18117
High Crag200744.0m54.514613-3.267386NY 18049 13996
High Stile201806.0m54.521515-3.287840NY 16739 14788
Kirk Fell202802.0m54.483308-3.244098NY 19495 10486
Lank Rigg203541.0m54.494778-3.403943NY 09165 11957
Low Fell204423.0m54.588155-3.338566NY 13597 22264
Mellbreak (south top)205512.0m54.555565-3.318231NY 14843 18613
Middle Fell206582.0m54.453235-3.311300NY 15079 07219
Pillar207892.0m54.497464-3.281108NY 17126 12104
Red Pike [Buttermere]208755.3m54.527422-3.298518NY 16060 15458
Red Pike [Wasdale]209826.0m54.483907-3.289853NY 16532 10606
Scoat Fell210841.0m54.490889-3.299197NY 15941 11394
Seatallan211692.0m54.463663-3.329145NY 13944 08401
Starling Dodd212633.0m54.529709-3.327179NY 14210 15747
Steeple213819.0m54.493374-3.302147NY 15755 11674
Yewbarrow214627.0m54.464875-3.276834NY 17337 08473