Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts,Brandreth, and Haystacks

[andy63]

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Perfect weather today - which is probably why the Lake District was more crowded than usual.After getting through the traffic jams, I just about managed to squeeze into a parking space on the road near Gatescarth Farm.
The walk started with a steep enjoyable climb up Fleetwith Edge, and then along the ridge to Honister Crag.

Fleetwith Pike

View of Buttermere

Fleetwith Pike summit

A long way down

Honister Crag

I then went down past a quarry before heading up the grassy slopes of Grey Knotts.

Grey Knotts

Grey Knotts has a selection of knobbly little summits to scramble over. It was hard to tell which one was highest.

Grey Knotts summit

Then it's a short walk along the ridge to Brandreth, which has an ugly looking summit area but some good views.

Great Gable from Brandreth

Haystacks and High Crag from Brandreth

I then headed in the general direction of Blackbeck Tarn, which I could see in the distance. There are some paths shown on the map, but I didn't bother trying to follow them, which meant I ended up having to cross a bit of marshy ground and then climb down a steep hillside.

Blackbeck Tarn

From Blackbeck Tarn a rocky path goes up to the top of Haystacks, and then down to join the Scarth Gap pass, which leads back to Buttermere and Gatesgarth.

Haystacks summit

Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts, Brandreth and Haystacks

Descent

This was a good day's walking in an area I'd like to revisit some time.