Pillar
892m (2928ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
The summit of Pillar is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
You can find Pillar & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Maps (the ones with pink/magenta covers):
See Pillar and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Pillar and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:
*Walk & bag all 33 Wainwrights in The Western Fells area of The Lake District in just 10 easy-to-follow circular walks.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks. Click here for more information.
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!
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 5.25ml (8.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,301ft (701m) |
| Time: | 4½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) - Ennerdale - Black Sail Beck - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - Pillar - Black Sail Pass - Black Sail Beck - Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) - Ennerdale.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.75ml (12.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,808ft (1,465m) |
| Time: | 7.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Wasdale Head - Kirk Fell - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) - Steeple - Red Pike (Wasdale) - Dore Head - Mosedale Beck - Wasdale Head - Wast Water.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.25ml (16.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,611ft (1,405m) |
| Time: | 8½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Buttermere - Gatesgarth - Peggy's Bridge - Scarth Gap Pass - Scarth Gap - Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - High Beck - Ennerdale - Scarth Gap Pass - Peggy's Bridge - Gatescarth - Buttermere
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11ml (17km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,001ft (1,219m) |
| Time: | 8 hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Wasdale Head - Mosedale Beck - Black Sail Pass - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) - Red Pike (Wasdale) - Dore Head - Over Beck - Wasdale Head - Wast Water.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11ml (17.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,782ft (1,457m) |
| Time: | 8.75hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Wasdale Head - Mosedale Beck - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) - Steeple - Red Pike (Wasdale) - Dore Head - Yewbarrow (North Top) - Yewbarrow - Dropping Crag - Bell Rib - Over Beck - Wasdale Head - Wast Water.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11.25ml (18km) |
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| Ascent: | 5,819ft (1,773m) |
| Time: | 10 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Wasdale Head - Moses' Trod - Lingmell Beck - Gable Beck Bridge - Sty Head - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) - Steeple - Red Pike (Wasdale) - Dore Head - Mosedale Beck - Wasdale Head - Wast Water.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 18.75ml (30km) |
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| Ascent: | 7,309ft (2,408m) |
| Time: | 14.75hrs |
| Grade: | (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Bowness Knott Car Park Ennerdale - Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre - High Gillerthwaite Yourth Hostel - Red Pike (Buttermere) - High Stile - High Crag (Buttermere) - Seat (Buttermere) - Scarth Gap - Hay Stacks (Haystacks) - Innominate Tarn - Blackbeck Tarn - Black Beck - Green Crag (Buttermere) - Great Round How - Brandreth - Gillercomb Head - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - High Beck - Low Beck - Ennerdale.
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Pillar
Geoff Hand walked up on July 3rd, 2025 [from/via/route] Walked the Mosedale round from Burnthwaite Cottage. Pillar, Black Crag, Scoat fell, Steeple, Red Pike & Yewbarrow. One of my toghest days in the lakes, but very enjoyable & rewarding. [with] none [weather] Started off Sunny then cloud, mist, high wind & rain caught me up at Pillar. Some great views before that. - Got a bit confused coming off Scoat fell & picking up the path to Red Pike. Had to use my map compass & watch to find the path.
Ian Ashton climbed it on November 9th, 2024 [with] Solo
Christine Shepherd bagged it on May 15th, 2005 [from/via/route] Walked from Wasdale Head following the route outlined on walk c343. Used walk c240 with Yewbarrow added on on 23.8.21 with Stephen. Used walk c101 with the addi.tion of Haycock between Steeple & Red Pike with Louise on 20.4.24. [with] On my own [weather] Fine but chilly. - Met another lady walking on her own but imagine my surprise when she started unpacking a radio mast from her rucksack. She was a radio ham broadcasting from unusual places! Climbed again using walk c240 on 23.8.21 Added on Yewbarrow at the end.
Sarah Moore hiked it on April 8th, 2023 [from/via/route] c130 / Caw Fell, Haycock & Steeple... with extra! from Ennerdale YHA [with] On my own [weather] Great day for it - almost too hot at points - clear for miles & sunny & beautiful - Couldn't believe how quiet it was for an Easter weekend - remote but incredible
Kevin Foster summited on July 7th, 2022 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] By myself. [weather] Dry & sunny. - From Looking Stead I followed the climbers path past Robinson cairn & Pillar Rock via the Shamrock Traverse. Had a close look at the Slab & Notch route up Pillar Rock but sensibly decided not to try it solo without ropes. Afterwards I climbed up the steep path to the summit wind shelter to contemplate on my failed Nuttalls challenge.
Tim Winn conquered it on April 2nd, 2022 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Barry, Paul and Roger [weather] Sunny
Paul Macey scaled on August 16th, 2021 [from/via/route] C101 [with] L [weather] Cloudy
Michael Austin walked up on June 18th, 2021 [from/via/route] C130
Darren Wilson climbed it on June 20th, 2021 [from/via/route] Last Wainright walks Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Pillar & Kirk Fell [with] Mike [weather] Sunny dry beautiful day out, steep climb up
Jeremy Torrance bagged it on October 12th, 2019 [from/via/route] Wasdale [with] Noel, Ash, Tim, Jon, Stu
Andrew Johnson hiked it on December 1st, 2020 [from/via/route] Ennerdale [weather] Great weather
Martin Woods summited on August 31st, 2020 [from/via/route] From wasdale head pillar, scoat fell, steeple, red pike & yeabarrow walk [with] Myself [weather] Sunny 15 to 18 degrees - Some scrambling over the top, amazing views & great fun
Toby Norman conquered it on July 28th, 2018 [with] Clive
Caroline Winter scaled on August 3rd, 2020 [from/via/route] Overbeck bridge, Yewbarrow Bell rib scramble, North top (Stirrup crag), Dore Head, Red Pike, Black Crag, Pillar, Little Scoat Fell, Haycock, Nether Beck [with] Becky [weather] Clear & warm - Pleasant, easy scramble up Yewbarrow. Retreated to easy path to Dore Head. 3 x Bob Graham competitors arrived at Pillar, as we finished lunch. Squeezed in Haycock before long tiring descent of Beck. Picquesque water falls heading down
Wayne Baxter walked up on August 8th, 2020 [from/via/route] Walked the Mosedale Horseshoe starting from Overbeck Bridge walking to Wasdale Inn. Black sail pass onto Pillar, Scoat Fell, Steeple & Red Pike. [with] Sue [weather] Bright sun very hot
Richard Marshall climbed it on September 21st, 2019 [from/via/route] Mosedale horseshoe [with] Bo and Andy Pratt [weather] sunny. Very warm.
Elaine Evans bagged it on July 16th, 2019 [from/via/route] From Wasdale Head, up to Black Sail Pass, continued ascent to Pillar then Red Pike, over to Dore Head, then descent via scree slope to valley & back to Wasdale Head. [with] Sue [weather] Lovely day, dry with a gentle breeze. - Amazing views, beautiful day but never, ever descending via that route again! Didn't like that part at all!
Richard Marchant hiked it on November 23rd, 1993 [from/via/route] This was a two day trip with an overnight camp at Beckhead Tarn below Great Gable. Day 1 we ascended Yewbarrow then onto Red Pike-Scoat Fell-Pillar-Kirk Fell & descended to Beckhead Tarn & camped the night & what a cold night. Day 2 Great Gable-Scafell Pike via the corridor route then Sca Fell & back down to Wasdale & the car. [with] Best Friend Ray Collins. [weather] Clear blue skies, no wind but very cold & in the minus overnight
Phillip Bulley summited on September 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] Via Wasdale Head & Black Sails Pass. [with] Ruby. [weather] Sunny but chilly.
Craig Steeland conquered it on July 9th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Bowness Knott car park with bike used to start of walk [with] On my own [weather] Hot & sunny with no wind.
John Almond scaled on September 28th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Overbeck Bridge car park, Wast Water - Wasdale Head - Black Sail Pass - PILLAR - Black Crag - Red Pike - Dore Head - Over Beck - Wainwright 122 [with] Solo [weather] Good, - A late start caused by a long delay on the A590. Subsequently, didn't bag Yewbarrow as planned.
Iain Jones walked up on July 29th, 2017 [from/via/route] Honister Hause (The Wainwright 60 - Day 1 (Ennerdale)) [with] Graeme High
Anthony Scott climbed it on July 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] Wast Water [with] me [weather] Blue sky then white cloud. No wind
Chris Sheard bagged it on October 15th, 2004 [from/via/route] From looking stead [with] George & Baz [weather] Weather variable but warm light winds this day - Nice steady walk - good views
Mark Davidson hiked it on July 20th, 2004 [with] Alone [weather] Glorious
Doug Martin summited on July 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Overbeck car park at base of Yewbarrow [with] Tom Bradford [weather] Wet & windy but dried later in day - met office forecast completely wrong.Apart from getting cloud height right.
Jill Dean conquered it on July 23rd, 2016 - Wasdale weekend
Richard Fulcher scaled on May 27th, 2016 [from/via/route] Black Sail YH, Ennerdale [with] Dave Jobling [weather] Light cloud with some mist on the tops, sunny intervals - Mosedale Horseshoe
Colin Egan walked up on September 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] Continuation from Red Pike, walked back along ridge past Scoat Fell & picked up path via Wind Gap [with] My wife Faith [weather] Increasingly hazy but dry - Final fell of the day. We descended into Ennerdale via a "footpath" from Wind Gap. Obviously not used much as a route because there was not really any path at all! Very difficult walking over boulders & bog. Eventually reached forest roads & a long slog back along the valley to our car. Only just made it back to civilisation in time to get a late meal in a pub.
Andrew Martin climbed it during November, 2014 [from/via/route] wasdale head [weather] wet
Elaine Grayson bagged it on June 29th, 2015 [from/via/route] black sail pass from Wasdale Head [with] robin
Tony Rogerson hiked it on August 27th, 2013 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head High Level Route Scoat Fell Steeple & Red Pike [weather] Low cloud clearing to sunny
Bay Wan summited on October 10th, 2014 [with] Cocoa Pops [weather] Fine & mild - The descent was a nightmare down the scree slope, not recommended!!!
Christina Lander conquered it on August 6th, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head - Black Sail Pass - Pillar - Wind Gap - Scoat Fell - Red Pike - Dore Head - Mosedale - Wasdale Head [with] Mick & Kath and Dick [weather] Lovely day again!
David Noble scaled on July 22nd, 2015 [from/via/route] From Wasdale Kirk Fell, Kirkfell Crags, Pillar via the high level route, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Red Pike, Stirrup Crags & Yewbarrow [with] Jack [weather] Rain then brighter & sunny - Via the high level route
Dave Eyes walked up on July 11th, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Cloudy day - no views
Christine Knowles climbed it on May 13th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Wasdale Head Inn as part of Mosedale round [with] Graham [weather] Very fine, sunny & hardly any wind - Some scary climbing up stony cliffs on way, but was fine!!
Andy Gibbs bagged it on March 21st, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Jake & Callum [weather] Beautiful
Charlie Housley hiked it on December 3rd, 2014 [from/via/route] From Scoat Fell via Wind Gap. [with] Candy the collie. [weather] A day of two halves....08.30-11.30 low cloud & no views. 11.30-16.30 no cloud & fine views.
Kevin Parnham summited on August 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] Mosedale Horseshoe [with] Jo and Charlotte [weather] Generally very good but wet finish - Long day & unpleasant scramble up & down Yewbarrow in the rain. Reached Pillar via high level traverse,our opinion,best view of Pillar rock was from above on scarmble up to Pillar summit,not from Robinsons cairn
Keith Eastman conquered it on June 23rd, 2014 [from/via/route] c101
John Tippins scaled on April 20th, 2014 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] on me tod [weather] Warmish in the valley. Misty, bit of rain & very strong winds on the peaks.
Steve Frank walked up on May 22nd, 2010 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Jackie Frank [weather] Sunny
Harry Meijer climbed it on June 7th, 2014 [from/via/route] The Wasdale Horseshoe [with] The Lake District Walker
Gill Watson bagged it during March, 1965 [with] Toc H [weather] snow
Clive Ward hiked it during August, 2009 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Ben, Hazel [weather] Fine, sunny, hot - Can't recall date. It was one of the first walks with Ben after buying lodge.
Raymond Barnett summited on June 5th, 2013 [weather] sunny
Brian Laverty conquered it on April 30th, 2011 [from/via/route] wasdale head [with] wendy [weather] windy
Jacqueline Debbie Tonks scaled on December 16th, 2012 [from/via/route] Wasedale Head [with] Pete on his 59th birthday [weather] snow on peak, low cloud & windy, no view - did this walk again on 2nd Feb 2013, snow on high ground, blue sky & great views.
Dale Verrall walked up on March 18th, 2011 [from/via/route] NT car park Wast Water - Walk number C101 [with] Les & Amber [weather] Wonderful day
Victoria Bates climbed it on February 21st, 2013 [from/via/route] Mosedale horseshoe
Iain Taylor bagged it on July 28th, 2010 [from/via/route] Wast Water (NY 16811 06823)
Darren Mortimer hiked it on August 10th, 2012 [from/via/route] Wasdale c101 [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Sunny
Tony Aspden summited on July 1st, 2008 [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
Colin Pomfret conquered it on September 13th, 1987 [from/via/route] Wasdale hotel [with] Bob and Bill [weather] Cloud with sunny intervals
Jayne Phelps scaled on March 23rd, 2010 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head
Stephen Byrne, Patrick Rogozinski, Mark Smith, Melanie Dunn, Jane Wilkinson, Dale Sexton, David Butterfield, Jenny Godfrey, John Grimes, Trevor Longman, Adrian Roberts, Peter Clark, Michael Nolan, David Shaw, John Walter, Simon Clark, Carl Abbott, Edward Wells, Peter O'sullivan, Adam Shewry, Simon Duerden, Jonathan Tobin, Angela Moroney, Paul Booth, Ian Thomas, Jeanette Coward, Linda Mckeogh, Louis Smith, Rod Cove, Paul Henderson, Trevor Williams, Tracey Cordes, Stephen Millington, Louise Sandwith, Patrick Buckland, Chris Bede, Rob Barklamb, Martyn Rouse, Ray O'hara, Chris Bramley and Libby Burns have all walked, climbed & bagged Pillar.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Pillar
Pillar (left), Ennerdale Water, Seat (Buttermere), Gamlin End and High Crag (centre), Crummock Water and Grasmoor (right) from the summit of Hay Stacks (Haystacks)
Kirk Fell with Pillar and Little Scoat Fell beyond from Great Gable summit
Green Gable, Great Gable (left of centre), Kirk Fell (centre) and Pillar (right) with the Scafell Massif beyond (centre) from High Crag
Scarth Gap and Hay stacks (Haystacks) above Ennerdale from The High Level Route, Pillar
The Mosedale Horseshoe - Yewbarrow (mid-distance left), Red Pike (Wasdale) and Little Scoat Fell beyond, Pillar (right of centre) and the shoulder of Kirk Fell (mid-distance right) from Scafell Pike
Kirk Fell (foreground), Pillar, Ennerdale, Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile, High Crag and Crummock Water (far right) from Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable
Wasdale Head with Pillar beyond from the lower slopes of Lingmell & Scafell Pike
Ennerdale with Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and the High Stile ridge (right) and Looking Stead and Pillar (left) from Brandreth
The view north from Looking Stead (Pillar) featuring Ennerdale with Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile, High Crag, Seat, Scarth Gap, Hay Stacks (Haystacks) and Brandreth (far right)
Great view of Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable (the rounded dome), Kirk Fell, Pillar (the highest point), Black Crag and Steeple from Lingcomb Edge just below the summit of Red Pike (Buttermere)
Pillar/Currick between Branstree (North East Top) and Branstree (Artlecrag Pike)
Haystacks from Looking Stead (Pillar) with a Herdwick Sheep for company
Looking Stead (Pillar) and Pillar itself towering above the upper reaches of Ennerdale from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)
360 degree panorama featuring Great Gable, Green Gable, Little Scoat Fell & Pillar (distance), Brandreth, Dale Head (Newlands), High Spy, Glaramara, Esk Pike, Great End and Scafell Pike from Base Brown
Taking a breather on 'the slab' - about a third of the way up Pillar Rock
Looking stead (Pillar) & Pillar behind Green Crag (Buttermere) & Hay Stacks (Haystacks) with High Crag (Buttermere) (right) from near Dubs Quarry
Red Pike (centre left), Pillar, Yewbarrow (centre), Kirk Fell & Great Gable (right) beyond Wast Water from Whin Rigg
Kirk Fell, Looking Stead & Pillar, Ennerdale, High Stile, High Crag & Hay Stacks, Crummock Water & Buttermere and Grasmoor from Green Gable
Robinson's Cairn with Pillar Rock beyond (left of the cairn and to right of the 'notch')
Haycock, Little Scoat Fell, Red Pike (Wasdale), Pillar, Top of Stirrup Crag, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Great End, Lingmell, Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Slightside, Harter Fell (Eskdale) and Burnmoor Tarn from the summit of Yewbarrow
Ennerdale Bridge, Bowness Knott, Great Bourne, Starling Dodd, Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile and Pillar sourrounding Ennerdale Water from the summit of Crag Fell
Little Scoat Fell and Pillar (distance) with Brandreth (foreground) from Base Brown
High Crag, Seat, Scarth Gap and Hay Stacks (Haystacks) from Looking Stead (Pillar)
*Pillar (left), High Stile (centre), Ennerdale, Hay Stacks, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Grasmoor (right) from Green Gable
Black Crag (Pillar), Wind Gap, Pillar and Looking Stead (Pillar) above Mosedale from Wasdale Head
Stone pillar in the col between Branstree (North East Top) and Branstree (Artlecrag Pike)
Black Grag (Pillar), Wind Gap, Pillar and Looking Stead (Pillar) above Mosedale from Wasdale Head
Red Pike (Wasdale) and Little Scoat Fell (left), Mosedale, Pillar and Kirk Fell (centre) and Great Gable (right) from the summit of Scafell Pike
Starling Dodd (left), Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile and Pillar (right) and Ennerdale Water from the summit of Crag Fell
Red Pike (Buttermere) summit from Lingcomb Edge with Pillar prominent across Ennerdale
*From Left to right: Caw Fell, Seatallan, Red Pike, Pillar, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and Sca Fell and Wast Water (foreground) from Illgill Head (NB. Scafell Pike is largely hidden behind Sca Fell)
The High Level Route from Looking Stead (Pillar) to Robinson's Cairn, Pillar
Steeple and Long Crag with Crag Fell (sunlit in the distance), Ennerdale Water and Great Borne from Pillar
Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable panorama featuring Kirk Fell (foreground centre), Wast Water, Wasdale and Yewbarrow with Middle Fell and Seatallan beyond (left), Red Pike (Wasdale), Little Scoat Fell and Pillar behind Kirk Fell (centre) and Ennerdale with Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile, High Crag and Crummock Water (right)
Wasdale Head (left), Burnmoor Tarn, Yewbarrow (front centre), Illgill Head (back) and Wast Water from Pillar
A grand view overlooking the valley of upper Wasdale from Esk Hause with Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Green Gable taking centre stage
Kirk Fell with Red Pike (Wasdale), Little Scoat Fell and Pillar behind from Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable
. . . see just 20 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Pillar
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