Wast Water via Nether Beck 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.
Follow Nether Beck up to Scoat Tarn, then climb to the ridge and follow the wall west to the summit.
Wast Water via Nether Beck at a glance
| Distance | 7.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 812 m |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Netherbeck Bridge, Wast Water road |
| Start grid reference | NY 161 065 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 144 107 |
Wast Water via Nether Beck map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Wast Water via Nether Beck takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 10m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 12:56 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04. Start by 12:54 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Haycock summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today 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.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 32 mph, 86% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04.
Best day of the next seven for Wast Water via Nether Beck: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 75% 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 -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 49% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 52 mph.
- 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
Other routes up Haycock
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overbeck western fell walking approach | 6.4 km one way | 740 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
| 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 161 065, 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.
Wast Water via Nether Beck: questions and answers
How far is Wast Water via Nether Beck?
Wast Water via Nether Beck is 7.1 km one way to the summit of Haycock, with 812 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 14.2 km.
How long does Wast Water via Nether Beck take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Haycock and 4h 10m 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 5h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wast Water via Nether Beck?
Wast Water via Nether Beck starts from Netherbeck Bridge, Wast Water road. The grid reference is NY 161 065.
Is Wast Water via Nether Beck suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Wast Water via Nether Beck today?
By 12:56 at the latest. Sunset on Haycock today is 18:06, Wast Water via Nether Beck takes about 4h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Wast Water via Nether Beck?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).