Overbeck western fell walking approach up Haycock: route map, distance and time
797 m · Cumbria
Haycock is a remote western fell between Wasdale and Ennerdale, a rough stony dome crossed by a stone wall and reached by long walks from either valley.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park.
Overbeck western fell walking approach starts at about 64 m and gains 719 m over 6.4 km to 785 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 8%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 221 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.9 km at about 27%. It keeps climbing at 21% to the top. About 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Overbeck western fell walking approach at a glance
| Distance | 6.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 719 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 63 m to 785 m (summit 797 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 27%, from 4.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 167 068 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 144 107 |
| Parking | Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park |
Overbeck western fell walking approach map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Overbeck western fell walking approach GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Overbeck western fell walking approach kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 81 m | +17 m | 2% | NY 160 067 |
| 2 km | 173 m | +92 m | 9% | NY 158 076 |
| 3 km | 275 m | +103 m | 10% | NY 152 083 |
| 4 km | 367 m | +91 m | 9% | NY 149 091 |
| 5 km | 484 m | +117 m | 12% | NY 151 101 |
| 6 km | 705 m | +221 m | 22% steep | NY 147 109 |
| 6.4 km | 785 m | +80 m | 21% steep | NY 144 107 |
How long Overbeck western fell walking approach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 40m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 13:18 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:16 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Haycock summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 17 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 52 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Overbeck western fell walking approach: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 17 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Haycock forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Haycock?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Haycock
Haycock is a remote western fell between Wasdale and Ennerdale, a rough stony dome crossed by a stone wall and reached by long walks from either valley. More about Haycock, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Little Gowder Crag (735 m), 0.5 km north-west
- Caw Fell (697 m), 1.3 km west
- Scoat Fell (841 m), 1.6 km north-east
- Steeple (819 m), 1.6 km north-east
- Red Pike (826 m), 2 km east
- Black Crag (828 m), 2.3 km north-east
Challenges that include Haycock
More walks from Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Caw Fell
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Red Pike
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Scoat Fell
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Steeple
- Overbeck Bridge via Great Door up Yewbarrow
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Black Crag
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Little Gowder Crag
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Iron Crag
Other routes up Haycock
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wast Water via Nether Beck | 7.1 km one way | 812 m | 2h 45m | Moderate |
| Ennerdale western fell walking paths | 8.9 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 167 068, the summit at NY 144 107), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Overbeck western fell walking approach: questions and answers
How far is Overbeck western fell walking approach?
Overbeck western fell walking approach is 6.4 km one way to the summit of Haycock, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.8 km.
How long does Overbeck western fell walking approach take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Haycock and 3h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 40m for the round trip.
How steep is Overbeck western fell walking approach?
The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 4.9 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Overbeck western fell walking approach climbs 719 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Overbeck western fell walking approach?
Overbeck western fell walking approach starts from Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park. The grid reference is NY 167 068. Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park
Is Overbeck western fell walking approach suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Wast Water via Nether Beck.
What time should I start Overbeck western fell walking approach today?
By 13:18 at the latest. Sunset on Haycock today is 18:08, Overbeck western fell walking approach takes about 3h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Overbeck western fell walking approach?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.