Start/Finish Seatoller, Borrowdale, NY 245 137 Total distance 25km (15 miles) Total ascent 1620m (5310ft) Time All day Maps OS Explorer OL4: The English Lakes, Northwestern area Keswick, Cockermouth & Wigton 1:25k, Harvey’s British Mountain Map Lake District 1:40k Summary Be prepared for long carries on the climbs and to walk some sections of descent. The reward is some of the best technical riding anywhere in the UK. From the village of Seatoller, climb Honister Pass on the road. At Honister Slate Mine, cross the car park to join the bridleway that ascends very steeply to the top of the mines. Follow this track to the derelict mine hut, bearing left at an area of machinery to descend at first on a continuation of the same track before bearing right onto vague singletrack. Follow the bridleway as it descends the side of Fleetwith Pike, keeping the river on your left, to Gatesgarth. Take the next bridleway left towards Scarth Gap, crossing the valley and climbing for some distance. At Scarth Gap, follow the bridleway down into Ennerdale. Bear left to pass Black Sail hut, continuing to cross the river before ascending Black Sail Pass on a path which is at times vague but mostly well trodden and keeps to the right of a minor river. Enjoy the long descent from the summit of the pass into Mosedale and then down into Wasdale. If you need to refuel then head straight on to the village; otherwise bear sharp left at the gate on the bridleway between high walls. Follow this path, crossing a stream on multiple wooden bridges. Pass through a farmyard and stay on the main track to a point where walls diverge and open fell resumes. The optional lower bridleway stays in the valley bottom here as the rockier path begins to climb. The paths rejoin at the head of the pass so it’s up to you which one you prefer. From the Mountain Rescue post at Styhead Pass, pick up the descent to Seatoller. Care is needed in poor visibility but you will start to descend almost immediately. Follow the obvious track past tarn, crossing the river on a bridge, and large area of boulders with no obvious path, before rejoining the path as it drops into the valley. Pass through gates, over a bridge and follow the wide track to Seatoller, then road to Seathwaite.by Matt_Skinner
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