Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag up Yewbarrow (Cumbria): route map, distance and time
629 m · Cumbria
Yewbarrow is a 629m steep-ended ridge above Wast Water, a Wainwright and Hewitt known for the rocky climbs at both ends of its upturned-boat shape.
Walk up to Dore Head, then scramble up the rocky steps of Stirrup Crag onto the ridge.
Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag at a glance
| Distance | 3.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 549 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Wasdale Head |
| Start grid reference | NY 186 087 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 173 084 |
Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup 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
- Wasdale Head Inn0.1 km
- Public toilets1.3 km
- Public toilets1.4 km
- Wasdale Head Campsite0.1 km
- Wasdale Campsite1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
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 14:48 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:46 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Yewbarrow summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Yewbarrow right now. The main Yewbarrow page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Yewbarrow forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Yewbarrow
Yewbarrow is a 629m steep-ended ridge above Wast Water, a Wainwright and Hewitt known for the rocky climbs at both ends of its upturned-boat shape. More about Yewbarrow, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Yewbarrow North Top (617 m), 0.8 km north
- Red Pike (826 m), 2.3 km north
- Middle Fell (582 m), 2.6 km south-west
- Kirk Fell (802 m), 2.9 km north-east
Challenges that include Yewbarrow
More walks from Wasdale Head
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wasdale Head via Sty Head up Great Gable
- Wasdale Head via the Burnmoor corpse road up Illgill Head
- Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass up Kirk Fell
- Wasdale Head direct up Kirk Fell
- Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue up Lingmell
- Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass up Pillar
- High Level Route up Pillar
- Wasdale Head via Dore Head up Red Pike
- Wasdale Head via Green How up Scafell
- Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue up Scafell Pike
- Wasdale Head via Mosedale and Wind Gap up Scoat Fell
- Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell up Steeple
Other routes up Yewbarrow
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overbeck Bridge via Great Door | 2.1 km one way | 559 m | 1h 20m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 186 087, the summit at NY 173 084), 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.
Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag: questions and answers
How far is Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag?
Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag is 3.5 km one way to the summit of Yewbarrow, with 549 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.0 km.
How long does Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Yewbarrow and 2h 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 2h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag?
Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag starts from Wasdale Head. The grid reference is NY 186 087.
Is Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
What time should I start Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag today?
By 14:48 at the latest. Sunset on Yewbarrow today is 18:08, Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag takes about 2h 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 Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).