summit and camp: Barrow

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

The Coledale Horseshoe - Day Hike

Date : 25th April 2015
Wainwright’s : Barrow, Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail, Crag Hill, Grisedale Pike
Start / Finish : Braithwaite
Distance : 10 Miles
Height Gained : 3835 feet
Time Taken : 7 Hours

The Route : Clockwise from Braithwaite

The main aim of this hike was to bag Barrow, which I missed out the last time I climbed the Coledale horseshoe in 2013. On that hike I climbed Outerside and then went on to Causey Pike and the rest of the horseshoe. Barrow was therefore too much of a detour in the wrong direction.

A video of the walk can be seen above.

The path to Braithwaite Lodge

I parked in the lovely village of Braithwaite and then walked up the path towards Braithwaite Lodge. From here a good path heads straight up Barrow and I was stood on the summit about 45 minutes later. The views were magnificent in all directions and offered a great look at the whole route ahead.

The path up Barrow

Barrow summit view of the whole horseshoe

Apparently there is a direct path from Barrow straight up the northern side of Causey Pike but it’s not marked on either the OS or Harvey maps. It also look perilously steep and so I chose the usual route of following the Stonycroft Gill path as it heads between Outerside and Causey Pike before another path exits on the left side and cuts back up towards Causey Pike.

The summit of Causey Pike is a truly magical place to be on a clear day. The views are extensive in all directions. I spent a good 10 minutes there … just looking.

Causey Pike summit view northwards towards Skiddaw

Causey Pike view of the onwards route

The stroll along the ridge to Scar Crags is a nice respite for weary legs and is equally rewarding for the views over towards the Newlands Fells.

The Newlands Valley

The last time I climbed Sail, the path was badly eroded. The following year, the fix-the-fells team repaired the path. The manner of repair has come under some criticism as it is essentially a gravel path rather than the stone pitching technique more commonly employed in the upland fells. It also takes a distinctive zig-zag route from bottom to top which looks unnatural and has been described as an eyesore by some. I leave it for you to decide.

The Zig-Zag path up Sail

Crag Hill from Sail

The path up onto Crag Hill is steep and rocky. Much more like it ! But the summit is a large flat grass and stone plateau from which you have to walk to its periphery to appreciate the best views. The trig point, which had been demolished the last time I was there in 2014, has now been rebuild and looks resplendent again.

Crag Hill Summit

Crag Hill represents the apex of the horseshoe. You can extend the walk over to Wandope, Grasmoor and Hopegill Head but I’ve climbed those fells before and so I kept to the traditional route. I therefore headed to Coledale Hause and then up to Grisedale Pike.

The view back down the whole horseshoe from Coledale Hause

Onwards to Grisedale Pike

The view from Grisedale Pike is a fine one in all directions. I was lucky to have it to myself for a few minutes until others arrived and moved away. Nobody likes a summit slug !