Unless you’re a West Cumbrian, Pillar takes significantly more effort than the other high fells, requiring a long drive to reach the base. Often that is Wasdale. But this misses out on Pillar's finest aspect: the chaotic northern face. Ennerdale is a good place to start, but it’s a long way up the valley before you reach the fell’s lower reaches. If you’re already in Buttermere, it’s not too big an ask to add Scarth Gap as a walk-in, but heed Wainwright’s warnings that you’ll have to recross the pass at the end of the day, so pack spare oomph. The High Level Route is a journey not just through space but also time: it was the preferred approach of the early climbers to Pillar Rock. This was hallowed ground in the clinker-nailed, leader-must-not-fall era. Breathe deeply enough and you can smell the damp tweed, hemp rope and pipe smoke. Men may find their sideburns growing a little quicker. Nowadays, it’s a delightful quiet alternative to the East Ridge, picking an improbable line across a steep fellside, leading to the jaw-dropping moment when the Rock finally heaves into view at Robinson’s cairn.
Detailed description
This has been viewed 914 times
Download
OS maps and some other mapping apps don't allow waypointsStatistics
Difficulty: DifficultDistance: 10 miles (16.10 km)
Total ascent: 1,439m
Time: 3 hours (Trail running);
5:30 – 6:30 hours (Walking)
to rate this walk.
Additional Information
Start/Finish:Gatesgarthdale Farm, Buttermere, NY193150
Nearest town:
Cockermouth
Terrain:
Good bridleways over the two passes, but rougher terrain on the traverse and the descent of the north-west ridge.
Seasonal variations:
At the time of writing, this route involves a river crossing at step 3, which could be sporting in spate. The "weeping slab" mentioned in step 6 can freeze in winter when the rest of the route is free of snow and ice, so you might need to don microspikes or crampons just for a few steps: a very dangerous temptation.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Lake District – Met Office: Lake District
Public transport:
Stagecoach 77A
Guidebooks:
Wainwright Western Fells
Maps:
OS Explorer OL4 (1:25,000), Harvey/BMC Lake District (1:40,000), OS Landranger 89 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Seatoller (017687 77294); Keswick (017687 72645); Grasmere (015394 35245)
Further Routes
by Norman Hadley
- Bannisdale Horseshoe 6 Apr
- Sallows and Sour Howes 20 Mar
- Kinder Downfall and the Reservoir Round 14 Feb
- Buttermere Horseshoe 3 Jan
- Brock Crags and Angletarn Pikes 12 Dec, 2023
Nice route but you should have included Steeple 😉
I know this game, Steve. "Just one more hill, shouldn't take long"...and before you know it...https://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/index.php?i=116