Wainwrights in 21 Days

28km & 2165m (17miles & 7101ft)

Predicted Walking Time 8hr 40m

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A trip for a good day, with wonderful views in the Western Wainwright fells.

 

From the Honister quarry climb steeply to Grey Knotts and Brandreth, and then navigate more carefully to Fleetwith Pike.

 

If the path down the north end of Fleetwith Pike seems daunting, there is an alternative route going down paths to the south (not marked on the maps until you reach the waterfall below Dubs Quarry). 

 

Once in the valley, there is some road walking,  Kirk Close up Hassnesshow Beck to Robinson is a very steep,  long climb.  But once on Robinson you can relax. All seven hills north of the road have big paths, ending up with the crowds on Cat Bells. Make sure you divert off the big path to reach Maiden Moor.

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The return to Honister is not the most exciting walk in the Lakes, but you will have the interest of visiting Castle Crag. And "Castle Crag is so magnificently independent...less than justice would be done by relegating it to a paragraph in the High Spy chapter" (AW himself). You'll also meeting the many walkers at the end of perhaps their hardest day of the Coast to Coast path.  

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The start could also be at Gatescarth, reversing the route direction to start with Fleetwith Pike. However, this would mean you finish coming down the steep Hassnesshow Beck at the end of the day.

 

The National Trust car park below the Honister Youth Hostel is free for NT members.

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