There is fierce competition for the title of ‘best horseshoe walk’ in the Lakes.
Do you favour the rollercoaster ride of the Kentmere Horseshoe? Perhaps you prefer the ruggedness of the Mosedale Horseshoe from Wasdale Head, the majesty of the Newlands Round from Little Town, or the Wainwright-packed Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside?
Another strong candidate is this walk: the Coledale Round from Braithwaite, a high-level, summit-bagging loop of Coledale Beck. It is one of the finest walks in the north-western fells – and an efficient outing for Wainwright-baggers.
There are many versions of the round, and we’re going to start with an ascent of the shapely eastern ridge of Trail 100 peak Grisedale Pike, where you are greeted with panoramic views over Keswick, northern leviathan Skiddaw and ahead to the brooding cliffs of Hobcarton Crag.
And the delights keep coming. Hopegill Head has grandstand views of the Vale of Lorton; the lumpy-bumpy ridge from Scar Crags to Causey Pike’s knobbly summit is airy and delightful; and the grassy humps of Outerside and Barrow feel like two freebies for your Wainwright box-ticking.
All of this might just make it Lakeland’s best horseshoe.
How many Wainwrights do you bag on the Coledale Round?
Outerside, Scar Crags, Sail, Crag Hill, Hopegill Head, and Grisedale Pike make up the classic Coledale Round – a satisfying route that covers six Wainwrights.
For those looking to extend the challenge, adding Barrow and Causey Pike at the start offers two more rewarding summits (which is the route described below, bagging 8 Wainwrights).
And for the most ambitious walkers, it’s possible to include Wandope, Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike, and Whiteside, bringing the total to an impressive eleven Wainwrights in a single day.
How hard is walking the Coledale Round?
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 17km
Time: 7 hours
Total ascent: 1,438m
Fitness: Good hill fitness is required for this long, strenuous walk with significant ascent.
Terrain: There are a few rocky sections, requiring some very simple scrambling, but nowhere is this walk technical or exposed. Generally good, well-trodden fell paths and tracks, with a short road section.
Navigation: Decent navigation skills are required, but generally the route follows paths and clear hill lines.
Where is the start of the walk?
The small car park off the B5292 Whinlatter Pass (grid reference NY227237). Or take Stagecoach’s Keswick–Workington X5 bus to Braithwaite.
What's the best map for Coledale Round?
Coledale Round | Step-by-step route guide
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From the small car park, take the wooden steps heading north-west, marked ‘Public Footpath Grisedale Pike’ at a fingerpost sign. Climb on the good, clear path before looping sharply south over bracken-covered slopes. Go through a gate and continue on a grassy path that climbs west and then south-west to Kinn.
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Continue south-west on a wide grassy track, remembering to turn around to feast on the excellent views over Keswick and the Skiddaw Massif. Veer west as the ascent steepens, passing the Lanty Well spring to gain the Sleet How ridge. The final push south-west and west for the top is along a rocky, narrowing arête, but there are no technical difficulties. Pass old metal fence posts and arrive at Grisedale Pike’s summit.
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Descend south-west following an old, derelict drystone wall. The path briefly bends left and right before arriving at a col. Climb over rocky terrain – including a short section of easy scrambling – to reach the 739m top of Hobcarton Crag. Descend briefly west and, at a cairn, fork right to follow a wall to a col. Climb the path ahead, sticking close to but safely away from the edge of the crags to the north, to reach Hopegill Head’s 770m summit.
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Retrace your steps down south-east briefly, fork right, descend to a mini col, and ascend easily ahead to the summit of Sand Hill. Descend south over loose, stony terrain to Coledale Hause. Directly ahead the ascent is blocked by crags, so fork right and ascend south along a stream. At a four-way junction, turn left and steadily climb north-east to Crag Hill’s trig pillar.
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Veer right and descend east along The Scar ridge – including some easy scrambling – to a col. Climb easily ahead to the summit of Sail, which is located slightly to the left off the main path. Descend north-east and east on the winding, zig-zagging switchbacks of a machine-built path to reach another col. Climb north-east to the cairned summit of Scar Crags.
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Descend the ridge east-north-east to a col and ascend easily over undulating, lumpy-bumpy terrain to Causey Pike’s dramatic summit. Re-trace your steps back to the col and fork right on a shortcut path curving west and then north to High Moss. Climb ahead to the summit of Outerside. Descend north-east to Low Moss, skirt south-east around Stile End on narrow trods to Barrow Door, and ascend gently east and north-east to gain the summit of Barrow, the final Wainwright of the day.
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Descend Barrow’s north ridge on a good, well-trodden path. Ignore a turn-off to the left bearing towards Barrow Gill, and instead continue north-north-east to Braithwaite Lodge. Pass through the gated farmyard and through a field to arrive at the road. Turn left and head north-north-west through the village. Cross the bridge over Coledale Beck and pass the Royal Oak pub to arrive at the B5292 Whinlatter Pass. Turn left on the narrow road, and ascend the road west and then north. As the road steepens, arrive back at the car park at the foot of Grisedale Pike’s eastern ridge.
Find this Coledale Round route in the OS app here.
What walking gear do I need for this route?
We'd recommend the obvious basics of walking boots or hiking shoes, a good hiking daypack, a reliable waterproof jacket, and a pair of quick-drying walking trousers with some packable waterproof overtrousers in your bag.
You should also carry insulating layers because it can get cold, especially when you're up on the exposed tops of the Lake District fells.
Where's the best place to stay?
Very good hostel accommodation at YHA Keswick. Camping? Try Scotgate Holiday Parkin Braithwaite. Or if you’re splashing out, perhaps opt for the Coledale Inn.
About the author
James Forrest writes regular features and route guides for Trail and LFTO, and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells.