Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Haycock & Caw Fell

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Route: Overbeck Bridge, Over Beck, Gosforth Crag Moss, Dore Head, Foster Beds, Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Haycock, Caw Fell, Little Gowder Crag, Haycock, Little Lad Crag, Nether Beck, Netherbeck Bridge, Overbeck Bridge

Date: 25/03/2017
From: Overbeck Bridge

Parking: Overbeck Bridge Car Park
Start Point: Overbeck Bridge
Region: Western Fells

Route length: 10.9 miles (17.54 km)
Time taken: 06:03
Average speed: 1.8 mph
Ascent: 1,180m
Descent: 1,184m

Wainwrights on this walk:
Red Pike (821m), Scoat Fell (841m), Steeple (819m), Haycock (797m), Caw Fell (697m)

Other Summits: Little Gowder Crag (733m)

Other points of interest: Dore Head

As Lakeland fells go, Haycock and Caw Fell are among the most remote and inaccessible, hidden in the depths of the western fells. For this reason, they are often some of the last fells to be visited by any discerning Wainwright bagger and this fact is what drew us here today.

It was a fine morning in Wasdale

Buckbarrow

It promised to be a memorable day thanks to a dazzling combination of late winter snow and early spring sunshine. It was certainly warm as we began our long trek to the high fells along the valley of Over Beck, below the slopes of Yewbarrow.

The imposing Bell Rib on Yewbarrow

Wasdale

Middle Fell

The path along Over Beck passes beneath Bell Rib

Over Beck

The climb up the Over Beck valley is very gradual, easing you up towards Dore Head over a couple of miles. That said, the sheltered valley and strong sunlight made for a sweaty climb.

Red Pike at the head of the valley

Over Beck

Over Beck

Approaching Dore Head

We emerged at Dore Head to the staggering view of Mosedale far below and the huge bulk of Kirk Fell across the valley. We also caught our first glimpse of the Scafells, looking resplendent with their winter topping. We loitered for a while contemplating the next task, a long climb up Red Pike.

Wasdale Head

Panorama from Dore Head

The view down Dore Head Screes

The route up Red Pike

Great End, Lingell and Scafell Pike

Stirrup Crag

The summit of Scafell Pike

Wasdale Head

Whin Rigg and Illgill Head above Wastwater

The Great Napes of Great Gable

It wasn't long before we reached the snow line but it was patchy enough not to need any of our winter gear. We plodded upwards with the sun in our face until the slope eventually gives way to a flatter area marked by a cairn. Close by (out towards Scoat Tarn) is a cairn built into the shape of a chair, called 'The Chair'. So prominent is its location that the fell used to bear this name. A short distance further is the summit of Red Pike, perched high above Mosedale Crags.

The high fells from Red Pike

Scafell Pike and Scafell

The Chair

Red Pike's summit

Haycock

Scafell

After a short descent, a further climb is required to reach the lofty height of Scoat Fell with its remarkable view of Steeple and Ennerdale. In addition to this, it was possible to see the mountains of southern Scotland, the Isle of Man, a distant North Wales and an even more distant Northern Ireland, something I've never seen before.

The crags of Red Pike looking towards Scoat Fell

Pillar

A very distant North Wales

Looking south from Scoat Fell

 Scoat Fell

Some large drifts of snow had built up behind the wall that crosses the top of Scoat Fell. The wall is part of the Ennerdale Fence, a historic boundary that runs around the Ennerdale valley and provides a handy marker for any of the ridge walks in the area. Scoat Fell's summit cairn sits atop the wall.

Scoat Fell's summit

There is a superb view across to Steeple and down into Ennerdale though the airy ridge leading out to Steeple is a real highlight of the walk, especially with the added snow. Steeple is a fine viewpoint, particularly if you want to study the crags of Pillar, Black Crags and Scoat Fell.

Steeple and Pillar

Steeple

The airy ridge leading to Steeple

Steeple's summit

Ennerdale from Steeple

Time was racing towards mid-afternoon and there was still a fair way to walk so we got our skates on (literally in some cases) as we descend to the top of Nether Beck before a dull climb up onto Haycock. Despite the fine views available from. the summit, Haycock is not a popular fell thanks to its remoteness from the main valleys.

The ridge back to Scoat Fell

Haycock

The Scafells

The Isle of Man

Haycock's summit

Little Gowder Crag

A sweeping ridge leaves Haycock to the north - the southern arm of Ennerdale. The ridge rises over Caw Fell, our last destination' where it drops over Iron Crag to the fells of Crag Fell and Grike - the western-most Wainwright fells. Though Caw Fell covers a large area, the summit is located almost immediately at the top of the shallow climb up the fell when approaching from Haycock.

The ridge leading to Caw Fell

Haycock

Caw Fell's summit

Seatallan from Caw Fell

We were now as far from the car as possible and our return began with a re-ascent of Haycock to reach the head of Nether Beck in the col between Haycock and Scoat Fell. This long valley provides a gradual descent back to Wasdale and a pleasant route off the fells.

Haycock

Great Borne and Ennerdale

Nether Beck

Nether Beck

Nether Beck

Nether Beck

Nether Beck and Blackbeck Knotts

Scafell

A short section of road leads back to the Over Beck car park, taking us along the shores of a mirror-like Wastwater. The sun had just set by the time we reached the car so we decided to make the short drive to Wasdale Head for a well-earned pub dinner at the Wasdale Head Inn, concluding my idea of a great day out.

The Scafells

Wastwater

The Screes

Early evening at Wasdale Head