Hayeswater Loops, Lake District UK

• 5-star hikes
• 6 to 12 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 830-1,280m (2,730-4,190 ft)
• Hartsop, UK | Cumbria
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a hiker ascending a steep, rocky mountain slope using their hands to navigate the terrain. The backdrop offers a stunning view of a valley with lush hills and a network of lakes, under a mostly clear sky

Steepest section, heading up Thornthwaite Crag.

Starting from the picturesque Ullswater Valley village of Hartsop nestled in the heart of the Lake District, these hiking routes offer an exceptional way to experience the region’s natural beauty. As you begin, the trails quickly immerse you in the peaceful landscape, providing sweeping views across valleys, lakes, and rugged mountain ridgelines. These routes link several prominent peaks, offering panoramic vistas that perfectly capture the dramatic scenery of the Lake District.

Our driving directions will lead down a narrow single-lane country road to the parking area closest to the trailhead. Since this parking spot is often full, even early in the morning, it's good to know about the alternative paid private parking that is just a short walk away back at the junction with the A592 on which you arrived.
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5★ Gray Crag Loop 6.2 mi loop, moderate, gain 830m (2,730 ft)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

5★ Hartsop & Hayeswater 7.5 mi loop, moderate, gain 940m (3,070 ft)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

5★ Peakbagger Route 11.9 mi loop, moderate, gain 1,280m (4,190 ft)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

We’ve rated these routes as medium difficulty, and suggest that they're suitable for a wide range of hikers. Most of the terrain is relatively easy, with well-trodden paths that lead through lush valleys and along ridges.

There are a few sections along the trail that do require extra caution however. Between Stony Cove Pike and Thornthwaite Crag, you’ll encounter steep sections and minor rock scrambles. While these parts require care, they’re manageable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and basic hiking experience, adding a touch of adventure without the need for technical climbing skills.

a tranquil landscape with a clear blue sky and a tall verdant hill in the background. A well-trodden dirt path leads towards the hill, flanked by a traditional stone building with a slate roof on the left. Stone walls and wire fences suggest farmland or private property, and the area is adorned with trees, shrubs, and foxgloves.

Begin a counter-clockwise route up Hartsop Dodd.

A hiker walking on a trail through a grassy landscape with rolling hills. The sky is partly cloudy.

Flatter terrain on top of Hartsop Dodd.

a serene mountain landscape with a lake cradled in the valley, surrounded by verdant slopes. A clear sky with sparse clouds stretches above, and distant mountain ranges line the horizon

Hayeswater beneath Gray Crag, viewed from High Street.

a pastoral scene with sheep grazing on a grassy hillside, a narrow dirt path leading towards a distant figure walking under a clear blue sky. Gentle hills roll into rugged mountains, and a body of water is nestled among the hills.

High grassland after bagging Mardale Ill Bell peak.

a picturesque landscape with a grassy hillside leading down to a valley with a lake, under a clear blue sky.

Approaching the angular peak of Kidsty Pike.

a person walking down a mountain trail on a sunny day, surrounded by tall rugged green hills, trees, and a distant body of water, conveying a sense of tranquility in nature

Returning to Hartsop from the Peakbagger route.

Tangents:
• Official: Lake District National Park
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Gray Crag, Hartsop & Hayeswater
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Cat Bells (3-4 mi) · 5★ Scafell Pike (5-11 mi) · 4★ Stock Ghyll Force (1 mi) · Show Map