High Stile Route Information

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Quick Facts

This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.

Total Ascent

895 m

An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.

Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.

Route Time

4 hrs

The horizontal distance of the route.

Route Distance

11.34 km

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required

89	West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water

Only £6.29 (£13.49 Laminated) from

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

One of the best round traverse routes in Lakeland, giving excellent views from the long and nearly level summit ridge. Route passes close to crags, and the ascent slope is steep.

Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.

We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.

Travel Information

Head to: Cockermouth

From Cockermouth drive SE on B5292. After about 4km turn right onto B5289 and drive a further 11km to Buttermere village.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 895 metres. Allow 4 hours to complete this 11.34 km route.

Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.

The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.

Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.

Route Information

Waypoint Detail

	Park in car park at Buttermere village
		NY17371687	Distance	Altitude 111 m

1	Take broad track S to bridge over River Cocker.
		NY17251631	Distance 0.57 km	Altitude 102 m

2	Ascend path SSE through larch wood, then zigzag up to a broad grassy shelf.
		NY17281564	Distance 0.72 km	Altitude 360 m

3	Follow path W along shelf and cross Sour Milk Gill
		NY16831577	Distance 0.52 km	Altitude 460 m

4	Ascend path SW to Red Pike (755m)
		NY16051543	Distance 0.95 km	Altitude 755 m

5	Descend SSE to col at beginning of long summit ridge
		NY16161508	Distance 0.40 km	Altitude 714 m

6	Continue SE on ridge along the edge of Chapel Crags
		NY16481479	Distance 0.34 km	Altitude 721 m

7	Continue E to the West top of High Stile
		NY16761474	Distance 0.28 km	Altitude 806 m

8	Turn ENE to reach summit of High Stile (2500ft+)
		NY17011480	Distance 0.27 km	Altitude 807 m

9	Follow path S onto ridge
		NY17001447	Distance 0.37 km	Altitude 740 m

10	Continue SE along ridge
		NY17771405	Distance 0.89 km	Altitude 645 m

11	Continue E to High Crag (744m).
		NY18031406	Distance 0.26 km	Altitude 744 m

12	Descend ESE to col on ridge then ascend Seat (561m)
		NY18661329	Distance 0.91 km	Altitude 561 m

13	Descend steeply E to Scarth Gap pass.
		NY18931330	Distance 0.35 km	Altitude 445 m

14	Follow pass NNW and descend on path
		NY18761389	Distance 0.65 km	Altitude 333 m

15	Continue descending N on path
		NY18751474	Distance 0.87 km	Altitude 197 m

16	Bear E on path to junction of paths
		NY18881475	Distance 0.14 km	Altitude 120 m

17	Take left branch and follow path on South side of Buttermere to join ascent route.
		NY17371687	Distance 2.86 km	Altitude 111 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

Cumbrian Fells
by MWIS (PDF format)

Lake District
by Met Office

Grasmoor
by Metcheck

Images of High Stile

January 2009 View from the summit of High Stile looking to Bleaberry Tarn, Red Pike and Crummock Water

© Brian Howarth

Image by Brian Howarth

January 2009 From High Crag looking to High Stile

© Brian Howarth

Image by Brian Howarth

High Stile, with the impressive Chapel Crags, seen from Red Pike.

© David S Brown

Image by David S Brown

High Stile from Gatesgarth; 22nd October 2009.

© Roger Vander Steen

Image by Roger Vander Steen

Route Area Map

Legend

Munro

Corbett

Graham

English/Welsh Top

Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

Where to Stay

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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

Rating & Reviews

Rating & Reviews

Rated:

from 2 votes

Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating

Written by Brian Howarth on 24 Apr 2009:

Really good route - but better if extended over Haystacks and return via Warnscale Bottom. Gives a chance to visit the Warnscale Head Bothy too (which is basic!) Extension gives total time about 6 hours. Tiny bit of loose scree on ascent to Red Pike.

Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map, a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.

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