A challenging 17.36 km fell walk in the Central Lake District, taking in 5 Wainwrights including Ullscarf and Sergeant's Crag and more. Starting from Stonethwaite, the route climbs 842 m. Allow around 4h 53m by Naismith's Rule.
The Central fells sit at the heart of the Lake District, offering some of the most iconic high-level ridge walking in England. This compact, rugged group rewards walkers with sweeping views in every direction and a real sense of being deep in the mountains.
At 17.36 km with 842 m of ascent, this route is rated Challenging. This is a demanding route requiring good navigational skills, a strong level of fitness, and full mountain kit. Start early and monitor the weather closely.
The route takes in 5 Wainwrights, covering 17.36 km from Stonethwaite. Using Naismith's Rule, allow around 4h 53m of walking time, plus extra for rest stops, navigation, and photos. Fine-tune your estimate with the Naismith Calculator.
The walk starts at Stonethwaite. Check parking availability before you go as popular Lake District car parks fill quickly on weekends. The Lake District National Park Authority website has up-to-date car park information.
Download the GPX file to your device before setting off. The map shows the route and Wainwright summit positions. In poor visibility, always use a physical OS map and compass. Do not rely solely on a phone GPS in mountain terrain.
Late spring through early autumn (May to October) gives the best conditions. Winter walking on the fells requires additional skills and daylight planning. Always check the Mountain Weather Information Service before heading out.
A serious day on the high fells. Kit choice matters — I wouldn't leave any of this behind on a route like this.
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