Mosedale Horseshoe
This month we turn to the Lake District for perhaps the national park’s most dramatic horseshoe walk – the much-loved Mosedale Horseshoe
LAKELAND has its lion’s share of epic mountain horseshoe walks: Coledale, Deepdale, Newlands, Kentmere – the list goes on. But, arguably, the most dramatic of all these high-level, circular ridge walks is the Mosedale Horseshoe. Starting at Wasdale Head, under the shadow of Scafell Pike, this route loops the remote, bowl-like valley of Mosedale via a series of iconic peaks. The walk ticks off five Wainwrights – Pillar, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Red Pike and Yewbarrow – and serves up stunning views of others including the Scafell massif and Great Gable. It’s a rough and rugged hike, with steep ascents and a touch of scrambling – yet the rewards more than make up for all that hard graft.
Veer left to cross beck before continuing up winding Black Sail Pass path. Follow the clear path as it veers north-east and east to reach top of col, located to north of Kirkfell Crags.
NY191114 Just beyond large cairn, turn 2 left and follow line of old metal fence posts to climb north-west towards Looking Stead.
Pass to left of small tarn and follow path, which has now veered slightly away from fence posts on ridge. Traverse west, narrowly bypassing to the south of Looking Stead’s summit, and arrive at base of Pillar’s eastern ridge. Ascend steeply west over craggy ground. Skirt left on lower ground to south of ridge, before veering north-west. Continue ascending steeply west. Beyond the steepest section, follow line of cairns to pass to left of subsidiary top before climbing north-west to Pillar’s summit.
NY171121 Turn left and descend 3 south-west. Final part of descent is steep, over loose, rocky terrain, but never particularly difficult. Arrive at Wind Gap and climb directly ahead, aiming south-west for Black Crag.
Ascend carefully over final section of jumbled boulders to reach Black Crag. Head west over gentle, grassy and wide col before climbing easily towards Scoat Fell. Scramble over another boulder field, go through gap in wall, and then follow the wall west. Reach Scoat Fell’s summit (a small cairn atop the wall). Follow wall west again, pass large cairn and veer right towards Steeple. Descend narrow path to col before climbing easily to summit.
NY157116 Retrace your steps to large 4 cairn on main ridge. Cross gap in wall and head south-east. Path is indistinct here until col between Scoat Fell and Red Pike.
From col, climb steadily south-east to Red
Pike’s summit. Descend south on grassy shoulder to nose of southern ridge, before descending south-east and east to Dore Head. The crags ahead look daunting, but a narrow trod guides the way. There are a few short gullies and rocky steps to negotiate (up to
Grade 1). Scrambling confidence is essential, but there is minimal exposure and technicality. Emerge at Yewbarrow’s broad plateau.
Pass northern top and continue south to climb gently to true summit.
NY173084 Descend south on good path. 5 Pass small cairn at nose of ridge and continue south towards Great Door. The path is very clear underfoot, although there are a few sections of easy rocky scrambling. Just before craggy humps at southern tip of ridge
(NY170077), veer right on clear path that bypasses more difficult terrain and descends south-west. The going is steep and rocky, following a gully for a while, but the path guides you safely down to gentler slopes. Veer left to meet drystone wall and cross it at ladder stile. Turn right and follow wall south-west down towards Over Beck. Next to stile, veer left and descend south. Go through gate and follow beck south-east down to road. Turn left and follow road all the way back to car park.