A longer route with FOUR Passes.
From Wasdale Head you need to head up to Burnthwaite, then up
Lingmell Beck between Great Gable and Lingmell to Sty Head Pass. To
reach Burnthwaite take the bridleway from Wasdale Head Common (the big
free car park), past St.Olaf's (the smallest church in England). At
Burnthwaite turn right and head towards Sty Head Pass, cross Gable Beck
then have a look at your map and your options. You have a choice of 3
bridleways; for an ascent I would take the rightmost route it is most
rideable. The left hand bridleway is now the main pedestrian route
whilst the middle bridleway is the main historical route, whichever
route you pick they are all hard. From Sty Head Pass you can go to
Langdale, but that's a longer adventure, instead you descend past
Styhead Tarn, down Styhead Gill to Stockly Bridge and Seathwaite where
you meet tarmac for the rest of the route. Roll down the road to
Seatoller to loosen up your legs for the final climb of the day,
Honister Pass. Turn left at Seatoller and up you go, it's only 1 in 4,
on tarmac, what's the problem; there's also a big flat section in the
middle of it from where excellent views can be had across the fells to
Helvelyn in the distance. From the top of Honister Pass it is downhill
all the way to Gatesgarth, you need to turn left here just before the
bridge and follow the track up to Peggy's Bridge. You are now at the
bottom of Scarth Gap Pass, this is another long slog, you can have a
rest part way up at Wax Knott to take in the view, and consider future
adventures up to High Crag and beyond (look at your map, this is not fro
the faint hearted). Off we go again up to the top of Scarth Gap, it is
worth descending a little towards Ennerdale for the better views, from
here you can see the route ahead - descend to the Black Sail Hut then up
and over Black Sail Pass and in to Wasdale. Descend the Pass, ride up
past the Hut until you reach the Rizer Liza, cross the river and head up
Black Sail Pass, this is a hard steep slog but well worth the effort,
enjoy the views at the top of the pass looking in to both Ennerdale and
Mosedale, you won't have much time to appreciate the scenery on the
descent towards Wasdale Head.
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