Haystacks (Lake District) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haystacks |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 597 m (1,959 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 92 m |
| Listing | Wainwright |
| Geography | |
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Western Fells |
| OS grid | NY193131 |
| Topo map | OS Landrangers 89, 90, Explorer, OL4 |
Haystacks, also known as Hay Stacks, is a famous hill in the beautiful Lake District of England. It's located at the south-eastern end of the Buttermere Valley. Even though it's not super tall (it's 597 meters or 1,958 feet high), Haystacks is one of the most loved hills, called "fells," in the area. Many people know it because of Alfred Wainwright. He was a famous writer who loved this hill so much. He even chose Haystacks as the place where his ashes would be scattered. The top of Haystacks is wide and wavy, with many hidden spots. It has cool rock shapes and pretty little lakes called tarns.
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Exploring Haystacks: A Special Hill
The Lake District has many amazing hills. Haystacks is part of the Western Fells. These fells form a big horseshoe shape around a long, wild valley called Ennerdale. Haystacks connects the tall Great Gable area with other famous hills.
The Path to the Top
The path from Brandreth towards Haystacks starts wide and flat. Then, it becomes a narrow, rocky ridge. This ridge has steep sides looking down towards Ennerdale. It also has cliffs above the head of Buttermere. As you walk, you'll see many rocky tops and small lakes. The highest point of this ridge is at its western end. After that, the path drops sharply over rocks. This leads to Scarth Gap, which is a pass for walkers between two valleys.
Cool Features on the North Side
The northern side of Haystacks has impressive cliffs. From the village of Gatesgarth, these cliffs look like a soaring curve. On the left, you can see Green Crag. The highest part of the cliffs is called Big Stack by Wainwright. A stream called Warnscale Beck flows down from near Great Round How. This stream feeds into Buttermere. You can also see old quarry remains on the upper slopes of Warnscale. These quarries once had a tramway from the top of Honister Pass. Across Warnscale is Fleetwith Pike, another nearby hill.
Lakes on the Summit
The top of Haystacks is special because it has several small lakes, called tarns. The highest tarn is just below the very top. It doesn't have an official name, but people call it the summit tarn. Halfway along the ridge, you'll find Innominate Tarn. This is a very popular and beautiful spot. It has a rocky shore with many inlets and tiny islands. At the eastern end of the hill, there's Blackbeck Tarn. This is a long, thin pool that spills water through a gap in the rocks.
What Haystacks is Made Of
The rocks at the top of Haystacks are mostly made of a type of volcanic rock called andesite lava. This is known as the Haystacks Member. A small amount of granite also runs along the top of the ridge. To the west, the Round Hows are made of layered rocks like breccias, sandstone, and tuffs.
Reaching the Summit of Haystacks
The very top of Haystacks is on a short, rocky ridge. This ridge is set at a right angle to the main path. There are stone piles, called cairns, at both ends of this ridge. The cairn at the northern end is considered the true summit. A slightly lower ridge runs parallel to it on the east.
Amazing Views from the Top
The view from the summit of Haystacks is truly excellent! You can see Gable Crag on Great Gable very clearly. To the west, you get a wide view of Ennerdale Water and High Crag. You can also see Crummock Water and Buttermere very well. Right in front of you, to the east, is the beautiful Innominate Tarn.
How to Climb Haystacks
Most people start their climb to Haystacks from Buttermere. You can go up through the Scarth Gap Pass on the west. Or, you can take the Warnscale route on the east. You can even combine these two routes for a great circular walk. A longer version of the Warnscale route goes past Dubs Quarry. You can also reach Dubs Quarry from the top of Honister Pass. This makes the climb much shorter.
If you are coming from Ennerdale to the south, you can reach Scarth Gap. This is especially easy if you are staying at Black Sail Youth Hostel. Some longer hikes include Haystacks as part of a bigger trip, starting from Brandreth or High Crag.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Haystacks comes from how the cliffs at the top look. According to Alfred Wainwright, the name comes from the Icelandic word stack. This word means 'a tall, column-shaped rock'. So, the correct meaning of Haystacks should be High Rocks.
Alfred Wainwright's Favorite Hill
Haystacks was the absolute favorite hill of Alfred Wainwright. He was a very important author who wrote guidebooks about the Lake District. He didn't put Haystacks in his "best half-dozen" list because it wasn't tall enough. However, he said that "for beauty, variety and interesting detail, for sheer fascination and unique individuality, the summit area of Haystacks is supreme. This is in fact the best fell-top of all."
Wainwright loved Haystacks so much that his wife, Betty, scattered his ashes near the shores of Innominate Tarn. In St James's Church in Buttermere, there is a special memorial for Wainwright. From the church window, you can look out and see Haystacks.
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Great Gable from Blackbeck Tarn
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Innominate Tarn
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High Crag, Pillar, Buttermere and Crummock Water from Haystacks
Images for kids
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Warnscale, between Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike, with Warnscale Beck to left.
