Bag six Wainwrights with only 2,000 feet of ascent, go beside two beautiful waters and possibly spot some red deer. And you don’t even need to use the car. All that might sound too good to be true, but it’s just what this walk is all about.

You can start by catching the 508 bus to Kirkstone Pass Inn (grid reference NY 401081) but note that it only runs on Saturdays and Sundays (and you’ll need to catch the bus back at the finish).

Information

Distance: 10 miles; ascent: 2,000 feet

Time: 5 hours

Terrain: Mountain paths and tracks, with two or three moderately difficult scrambles.

Map: OS Explorer OL5

Route

1 Climb the steep rocky footpath behind the Kirkstone Pass Inn going past the three wind turbines that provide renewable energy to the pub and with a wall on the right. At the cairn stop to admire great views north to Brotherswater, Place Fell and Ullswater then around to Red Screes, Windermere and Morecambe Bay in the south.

2 Proceed northwards along St Raven’s Edge with the wall now on your left passing a massive boulder and with stepping stones at the lowest point. Continue the gradual climb to the head of Caudale valley where you bear right to the summit of Stony Cove Pike.

3 The next section is the difficult part. You need to descend to Threshthwaite Mouth, at times scrambling over rocks, then immediately ascend a steep twisty stony path. The tall stone pillar on Thornthwaite Crag marks the first Wainwright at 2,572 feet.

4 You now go round the head of Hayeswater valley to join the course of the Roman road called High Street, going northwards. The Romans would have been marching at an altitude of more than 2,300 feet for mile after mile, as it was the loftiest highway in Roman Britain. Keep to the path on the right to reach the second Wainwright. At 2,717 feet, High Street is the highest point of the walk but with an almost flat top and a stone wall along its length it is a bit of an anti-climax. It is also known as Racecourse Hill, from a time when dales folk raced horses along its broad back.

5 Continue northwards, enjoying the fine view of Blea Water encircled by its dark cliffs on your right. Glimpses of Hayeswater appear on your left as you reach the Straights of Riggindale. This is the home of England's only resident golden eagle. He’s about 17 years old and his predecessor lived for 32 years. It’s now 10 years since his mate died so he’ll be hoping that a female will one day drift down from southern Scotland.

6 Three quarters of a mile from High Street bear right to go up round the head of Riggindale Beck. You’ll soon reach Kidsty Pike, at 2,559 feet the third Wainwright. It’s my favourite peak of the walk because of its commanding views over Riggindale Beck and the southern reaches of Hawewater.

7 Head northwards, skirting round the head of Ransdale Beck and you’ll soon be on High Raise. Bagging this fourth Wainwright is easy - at 2,631 feet you’re now only four feet lower than Coniston Old Man, which is a much harder climb. From here you can enjoy views over Ullswater and Wether Hill.

8 Now go back down slightly to the right of your ascent, then up the easy slope to Rampsgill Head, the fifth Wainwright at 2,598 feet and only half a mile from the last one.

9 Descend to the straights of Riggindale then go up by the wall and in another half a mile you’ll be on The Knott, the sixth and final Wainwright at 2,425 feet. From here you can see Hartsop and Brothers Water, close to where the walk ends. These fells are home to the oldest native red deer herd in England - they’ve been here for more than 300 years. You may get a glimpse of them in this area.

10 Descend in a north-westerly direction and join the path to below Hayeswater. After more than 100 years of public service, Hayeswater is being restored to the natural mountain tarn it was before. The dam was built in 1908 to provide drinking water to communities around Ullswater. It has not been used since 2005, when water company United Utilities started piping water from larger Haweswater. Removing the dam will allow wildlife such as eels to migrate in and out of the tarn and continue to protect Hayeswater's population of brown trout. The tarn will be about six-feet lower than the reservoir so it will take a while for the banks to blend in with the surrounding fells.

11 Follow the track down Hayeswater Gill towards Hartsop. Just before the car park there turn left, cross the bridge, and then go right, around the wood. Turn left at the track, passing several delightful cottages, then along a footpath to the A592. Cross the road with care and walk on the path southwards along the side of Brotherswater. This is a beautiful lake, with the triangular face of High Hartsop Dodd towering majestically above the far end. Continue along the path to finish at the Brotherswater Inn. The bus stop is about 200 yards north of the inn.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.