HAYSTACKS WALK – A LAKE DISTRICT CLASSIC

Haystacks is one of the most beloved fells in the Lake District, despite its relatively modest height of 597 metres (1,958 feet). Tucked at the head of Buttermere valley, it’s a place of rugged Lakeland beauty, where rocky outcrops, tarns and dramatic crags combine to create a landscape that feels far grander than its size suggests.

The summit area is a superb  jumble of knobbly peaks, with hidden gems like Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck Tarn reflecting the sky and surrounding fells. From the top, you’re treated to panoramic views across Buttermere, Crummock Water and beyond to Great Gable — a reminder of just how perfectly formed this corner of the Lake District really is.

For Alfred Wainwright, the legendary fellwalker and guidebook author, Haystacks held a special, almost spiritual significance. He famously described it as his favourite fell of all: “for beauty, variety and interesting detail, for sheer fascination and unique individuality, the summit area of Haystacks is supreme. This is in fact the best fell-top of all”.

It was on Haystacks that Wainwright requested his ashes be scattered — specifically by Innominate Tarn, a tranquil pool nestled among the rocks near the summit. For many walkers, visiting this spot feels like a pilgrimage of sorts, paying homage to the man whose illustrated guides helped millions discover and fall in love with the Lakeland fells.

HAYSTACKS – A BIT OF EVERYTHING

What makes Haystacks such a good fell is the experience it offers — a perfect balance of accessibility, variety and reward. The ascent from Buttermere via Scarth Gap is a classic route that combines lakeside walking, steep rocky scrambles and breathtaking views at every turn. The terrain is playful and engaging, never monotonous, and the summit area invites exploration rather than a quick turnaround. It’s a fell that captures the very essence of the Lake District: rugged yet welcoming, wild yet intimate, and deeply personal to anyone who takes the time to climb it.

This particular Haystacks walk I have documented was done late one summers evening and we hardly encountered anyone else. Hopefully my photos below get across the beauty of this 5 mile or so walk and, if you haven’t already, inspire you to visit Haystacks too! It really is a must do lake District Walk

 Map of the Haystacks walking route from Gatesgarth:

For me the best way to walk to Haystacks is in an anti-clockwise route starting at the car park at Gatesgarth Farm (£4 to park) and heading up to Scarth Gap Pass first and then onto Haystacks. You will then pass Innominate Tarn and then Blackbeck Tarn before a leisurely descent to Warnscale Bottom along an old miners track. You can of course do this route in reverse but I prefer tackling Scarth Gap first as you can enjoy great views of Butteremere and Crummock Water on the descent. Click the button above to view the interactive route:

Elevation of thIS Haystacks route:

 

Here you can see the elevation of the full walking route over 5.2 miles. It’s a pretty steady walk up hill for a couple of miles up to Scarth Gap and a bit of scrambling just before the 2 mile mark. After that it’s relatively straightforward and you don’t expend much effort from 2 miles onwards.

OS Maps - my Recommended App

I've tried a few map apps on my phone and settled on OS Maps, to access detailed UK Mapping. You can plan, save and download mapo routes, such as those on this site, direct to your phone, and then see where you are exactly on any route even when you have no signal - so you can't get lost! It's helped me discover loads of new walking routes too and you can get a free 2 week trial via the button below.