Lake District – 18th September 2014
Honister Pass – Hay Stacks – High Crag – High Stile – Red Pike – Buttermere – 8 Miles
A great walk in the Lake District in lovely sunny weather. I parked at the Honister Pass Slate Mine (£5 for the day), then walked up the old quarry track. Over the top and down again around Green Crag, past Blackbeck Tarn, then on to Innominate Tarn (where the great Alfred Wainwright had his ashes spread). Finally up to the rocky top of Haystacks. The views down to Buttermere and across to Pillar and Great Gable are superb. Then dropped down the very rocky path at Scarth Gap and up and over Seat. Then took the very steep and windy path up to the summit of High Crag. Fantastic views from up here. Carried on along the rocky ridge to the summit of High Stile. Then also on to the summit of Red Pike. I took the very slippery and awkward descent from Red Pike down The saddle. This path is really very bad at the top. It then becomes a proper path but this also needs caution on the descent. Eventually got to Bleaberry Tarn. Then carried on down the rocky zig-zag path down the fellside to the forest and also carried on the rocky path through the woods to finally get to the edge of Buttermere Lake. A hard and gruelling descent that takes its toll on your knees and calves. Walked on to take a well earned pint at the Fish Hotel. Waited about 15 minutes for the local bus (Number 77 – timetable here ) to take me back to the Honister Pass (only £2.45 for the bus trip back).
What a fantastic walk – highly recommeded !!
