Wainwright Bagging Weekend Adventure

Experience the Lake District’s remote, wild side on a thrilling and activity-packed weekend adventure while staying in our comfortable country house base on the shore of Buttermere. You’ll be able to bag 13 Wainwrights, tackle classic ridge walks, take on some of the most challenging fell walks and bask in the panoramic views and skyscapes seen from the summits.

Begin your weekend with a warm welcome at Hassness Country House. Here you can look out over Buttermere and soak up the rugged slopes and ridgeline of High Stile across the lake.

Then, over two days of challenging guided walks we’ll take you into the heart of the western fells. Using two leaders to allow for smaller group sizes over the demanding terrain, and extra flexibility when it comes to choosing your Wainwright routes, we’ll let you experience one of the toughest two-day hiking weekends in the UK.

On the first day, a stiff ascent to Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike gives onto High Stile. A high traverse with far-reaching views either side of the ridge leads to High Crag, Haystacks and Innominate Tarn, where legendary fellwalker and guidebook author Alfred Wainright’s ashes were scattered. With good conditions and enough time, you can push on to bag Fleetwith Pike too.

Next, we’ll up the drama on a classic ridge walk that dominates the skyline from Newlands Pass. Head out to hike Causey Pike and the undulating ridge leading west over Scar Crags; eventually a track leads to the literal highpoint of the route, Grassmoor at 852m. Finally, a descent drops you back into Buttermere, where a hard-earned pint – of Wainwright’s, of course – awaits you as a reward.

Looking for a longer adventure? See our alternative trip, Great Lakeland Ridge Walks which offers high-grade Wainwright fell hiking over a six days.