Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag up High Stile: route map, distance and time
807 m · Cumbria
High Stile is the highest point of the ridge between Buttermere and Ennerdale, a rocky summit above Bleaberry Tarn with crags falling to the north.
Climb to Scarth Gap, go up the steep scree of Gamlin End to High Crag, then follow the ridge north-west.
Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag at a glance
| Distance | 5.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 776 m |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Gatesgarth Farm car park, Buttermere |
| Start grid reference | NY 194 151 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 170 148 |
Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag 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
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 5m |
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 13:48 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:46 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Stile summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for High Stile right now. The main High Stile page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live High Stile forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About High Stile
High Stile is the highest point of the ridge between Buttermere and Ennerdale, a rocky summit above Bleaberry Tarn with crags falling to the north. More about High Stile, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Stile (806 m), 0.3 km west
- Red Pike (755 m), 1.1 km north-west
- Dodd (641 m), 1.1 km north-west
- High Crag (745 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Pillar Rock (780 m), 2.4 km south
- Pillar (892 m), 2.7 km south
Challenges that include High Stile
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Ennerdale Horseshoe · 14
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from Gatesgarth Farm car park, Buttermere
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge up Fleetwith Pike
- Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap up Haystacks
- Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and Gamlin End up High Crag
Other routes up High Stile
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike | 5.0 km one way | 757 m | 2h 15m | Moderate |
| Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge | 6.0 km one way | 760 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
| Buttermere via Scarth Gap | 8.5 km one way | 790 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 194 151, the summit at NY 170 148), 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.
Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag: questions and answers
How far is Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag?
Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag is 5.0 km one way to the summit of High Stile, with 776 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.0 km.
How long does Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of High Stile and 3h 20m 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 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag?
Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag starts from Gatesgarth Farm car park, Buttermere. The grid reference is NY 194 151.
Is Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag 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 Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike.
What time should I start Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag today?
By 13:48 at the latest. Sunset on High Stile today is 18:08, Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag takes about 3h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).