Wainwright & Dewey Icon

Hay Stacks (Haystacks)
597m (1959ft)

The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England


Record Hay Stacks (Haystacks) as Bagged, Climbed & Conquered


Wainwright Icon

Wainwright
(No. 131)

English Dewey Icon

English Dewey
13th highest in England,
29th in England & Wales

You can find Hay Stacks (Haystacks) & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

The Lake District National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL4 The English Lakes - North Western area


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Maps (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

89 West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water


90 Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside


See Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:

See Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:

NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!


You can walk to the top of Hay Stacks (Haystacks) by using any of these 8 easy‑to‑follow route maps:
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Walk c406 Hay Stacks from Gatesgarth, Buttermere

Wainwright's favourite mountain

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 3.25ml (6km)
Ascent:1,920ft (585m)
Time:3½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 4 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c295 Hay Stacks and Fleetwith Pike from Gatesgarth, Buttermere

Wainwright's favourite mountain

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 5.80ml (8.5km)
Ascent:2,455ft (748m)
Time:4½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 5 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c456 Fleetwith Pike, Hay Stacks, Brandreth and Grey Knotts from Honister Hause

Lots of ups and downs to stunning views

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 6.25mls (10km)
Ascent:2,756ft (840m)
Time:5.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c228 Hay Stacks from Buttermere

Wainwright's favourite mountain

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.25ml (13km)
Ascent:2,334ft (711m)
Time:5½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c151 Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Hay Stacks from Honister Hause

Good paths on rough ground

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.5ml (13.5km)
Ascent:4,260ft (1,298m)
Time:7.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c287 The High Stile Ridge and Hay Stacks from Buttermere

Unsurpassed views of Buttermere and Wainwright's favourite

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 11.25ml (18km)
Ascent:4,132ft (1,259m)
Time:8.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c397 The Buttermere Fells from Buttermere

Very long high level route with superb views

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 16ml (25.5km)
Ascent:6,285ft (1,915m)
Time:12.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)
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Walk c120 The Ennerdale Horseshoe

Strenuous, high level route worth every step - if you have the energy!

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 18.75ml (30km)
Ascent:7,309ft (2,408m)
Time:14.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)

Other walkers who hiked, climbed, bagged and summited Hay Stacks (Haystacks) Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Richard Fulcher walked up Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on March 11th, 2024 [from/via/route] We parked at Gatesgarth Farm near Buttermere (£4) & set off towards Peggy's Bridge. The ascent starts at the triangle of trees & steadily climbs to Scarth Gap. At this junction of paths we turned left & climbed (hands required) up to the summit(s) of Haystacks. From the top we descended to Innominate Tarn & then to Blackbeck Tarn. We then followed the path towards Dubs Quarry turning left & down just after crossing Warnscale Beck. We then picked our way down the boulder strewn path back to the car. [with] Jen [weather] Cloudy, very little wind .. felt warmer than it should have! Cloud was just above Haystacks.

Sarah Moore climbed Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on April 9th, 2023 [from/via/route] My own invention! Wanting not to drive from YHA Ennerdale & to make the most of the High Stile ridge [with] On my own [weather] Not so sunny - good... very windy at times - tough (lots of people coming off the tops / turning back, but glad I didn't) - Loved this - an 8 hour walk really started to test me lengthwise & absolutely adored the lack of people on what I thought would be a crazy busy Easter Sunday. One to remember...

Emma Simmonds bagged Hay Stacks (Haystacks) during August, 2019 [from/via/route] Peggy's Bridge [with] Kevin, Sam, Belle and the Martin girls. [weather] Dry, low cloud at the top.

Tina Parker hiked Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on November 19th, 2022 [from/via/route] Buttermere [with] Susan - We stayed at the yh.

Paul Macey summited Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on June 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] C295 [with] Luke [weather] High Level cloud

Jeremy Torrance conquered Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on October 8th, 2021 [from/via/route] Buttermere [with] Jon Stu [weather] Good autumn

Ian Cox scaled Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on July 9th, 2021 [from/via/route] Gatesgarth [with] Nicola Cox [weather] Bright but cloudy, with some low cloud, but stayed just above us

Michael Austin walked up Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on October 15th, 2020 [from/via/route] C295

Mark Hazelton climbed Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on June 15th, 2020 [from/via/route] Gatesgarth Farm via Peggy's Bridge, scrath Gap pass & back via Warnscale Bottom [with] Family and Pepper [weather] Sunny

Catherine Hill bagged Hay Stacks (Haystacks) on April 20th, 2019 [from/via/route] Route tbc but set out up the hill from Sykes farm cafe in Buttermere [with] Karen and Hazel [weather] Dry,sunny, hot - Quote busy, it was Easter. Delicious afternoon tea at Sykes farm cafe as a reward 😄

To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record

. . . [see more walk reports]



More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Pillar (left), Ennerdale Water, Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag (centre), Crummock Water and Grasmoor (right) from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Pillar (left), Ennerdale Water, Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag (centre), Crummock Water and Grasmoor (right) from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Michael Lee (4)

Grassmoor (left) and Grisedale Pike (right) from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Grassmoor (left) and Grisedale Pike (right) from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Mike Walker (550)

Fleetwith Pike (left), Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and the shoulder of High Crag (Buttermere) (right) across Buttermere

Fleetwith Pike (left), Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and the shoulder of High Crag (Buttermere) (right) across Buttermere

Photo: Clare Howard (9)

Looking back to Ennerdale (left), Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and Crummock Water (right) from Moses' Trod near the top of Loft Beck

Looking back to Ennerdale (left), Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and Crummock Water (right) from Moses' Trod near the top of Loft Beck

Photo: David Croasdell (1)

Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag and Crummock Water from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag and Crummock Water from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Michael Lee (6)

Scarth Gap and Hay stacks (Haystacks) above Ennerdale from The High Level Route, Pillar

Scarth Gap and Hay stacks (Haystacks) above Ennerdale from The High Level Route, Pillar

Photo: David Connolly (25)

Innominate Tarn on Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Innominate Tarn on Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Martin Wardroper (2)

The Runaway Ramblers on top of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

The Runaway Ramblers on top of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: David Morecroft (11)

On the shore of Innominate Tarn near Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

On the shore of Innominate Tarn near Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Jane James (1)

Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End, High Crag (Buttermere), Mellbreak, Crummock Water, Buttermere Village, Rannerdale Knotts and the shoulder of Grasmoor from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End, High Crag (Buttermere), Mellbreak, Crummock Water, Buttermere Village, Rannerdale Knotts and the shoulder of Grasmoor from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Peter Dryden (20)

Runaway Ramblers from Bury Lancs on top of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Runaway Ramblers from Bury Lancs on top of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: David Morecroft (17)

Buttermere, with Fleetwith Pike straight ahead and Hay Stacks (Haystacks) to the right

Buttermere, with Fleetwith Pike straight ahead and Hay Stacks (Haystacks) to the right

Photo: David Dawber (1)

The flank of Hay Stacks (Haystacks), High Crag and High Stile (left), Mellbreak, Buttermere and Crummock Water (centre) with Grasmoor and High Snockrigg (right) from Fleetwith Pike

The flank of Hay Stacks (Haystacks), High Crag and High Stile (left), Mellbreak, Buttermere and Crummock Water (centre) with Grasmoor and High Snockrigg (right) from Fleetwith Pike

Photo: Bernie Pottrell (1)

Crummock Water and Buttermere from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Crummock Water and Buttermere from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Alan Wainwright (240)

On Hay Stacks (Haystacks) during Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk

On Hay Stacks (Haystacks) during Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk

Photo: Peter Doherty (1)

Buttermere from near Blackbeck Tarn on the Hay Stacks (Haystacks) ridge

Buttermere from near Blackbeck Tarn on the Hay Stacks (Haystacks) ridge

Photo: Simon Barnett (39)

Hay Stacks (Haystacks) from Gatesgarth

Hay Stacks (Haystacks) from Gatesgarth

Photo: Simon Barnett (40)

Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and Three Lakes (Ennerdale (left), Buttermere (right bottom) & Crummock Water (right top) from Moses' Trod

Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and Three Lakes (Ennerdale (left), Buttermere (right bottom) & Crummock Water (right top) from Moses' Trod

Photo: Christine Shepherd (29)

Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag (Buttermere) from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag (Buttermere) from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Peter Dryden (18)

Looking Stead (Pillar) and Pillar itself towering above the upper reaches of Ennerdale from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Looking Stead (Pillar) and Pillar itself towering above the upper reaches of Ennerdale from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Mike Walker (552)


. . . see all 47 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)


Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Hay Stacks (Haystacks) to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:



and we shall do our best to publish them.

(Guide Resolution = 300dpi. At least = 660pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).)

Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Hay Stacks (Haystacks) via Facebook

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NB. Please indicate where each photo was taken.






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