A Wainwright Walk with Julia Bradbury: Pillar
Alfred Wainwright is a name synonymous with the Lake District. His pictorial guides have inspired many a walker to follow in his footsteps – and when a walk includes what Wainwright described as the best view point for the whole of Ennerdale it’s hard not to want to try it for yourself.
We’re starting at the Black Sail Youth Hostel and heading south to cross the River Liza.
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Crossing over the bridge we continue straight on up the Black Sail Pass. At the top of the pass we turn right, heading northwest onto the main ridge that leads us up to the summit.
It’s at Looking Stead where that best view point is for the whole of Ennerdale – and you’ll no doubt, like us, want to pause here a while to soak in that view.
We leave the ridge and head on the High Level Route cutting across Pillar’s north face. Here we are face to face with Pillar and a steep scramble on 122 metres will get us to the top where we can walk around Pillar’s rounded peak.
Our walk finishes at the summit. From here you will either need to retrace your steps or consult your map to get you to your next destination.
Alfred Wainwright’s verdict:
“Pillar, in fact, far from being a spire of slender proportions, is a rugged mass broadly based on half the length of Ennerdale, a series of craggy buttresses supporting the ridge high above this wild north face.”
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Penrith
