The last of the great fells on the ridge west of Pillar is Haycock which takes the form of a large and rugged dome. Haycock despite being a close relative to it's neighbours Scoat Fell, Red Pike, Steeple and Pillar is not as often visited. It is situated a mile west of the much frequented Mosedale round which generally includes Steeple, but walkers are not tempted to cross the connecting depression as a retracing of steps may be required. The fell is best approached from Wasdale up the valley of Nether Beck, and could be part of a circuit returning over Red Pike and down Over Beck. Haycock makes it's presence felt on walks from Nether Beck or Greendale and rises grandly ahead. Wherever the day's walk starts it requires a substantial journey to it, and there is still a degree of the wild round here which solitary walkers should bear in mind. The fells two main features are Gowder Crag facing Seatallan south, and Little Gowder Crag which sits astride the ridge north west of the summit. The latter has a little rock bound summit of it's own from where one can clearly see that all beyond this point looking west is quite different to the scenery of the centre. Seatallan belongs to Wasdale and is of considerable bulk; it's slopes reluctantly declining to the River Bleng westwards, and to Nether Wasdale on the south side. At Glade How however there is a welcome change of character, and eventually the great cliffs of Buckbarrow fall abruptly to the valley floor. Springing out from the eastern flank of Seatallan in a slightly unexpected way is a curving ridge which rises to Middle Fell; a very good place to look at the head of Wast Water and the Scafells. Nestling below the fell lies Greendale Tarn which is not as attractive as one might expect. A last attempt to provide eye catching scenery occurs above Ennerdale Water where the face of Crag Fell falls in tiers to the lake. This hill is a little beauty, and if climbed by way of Anglers Crag and The Pinnacles it cannot fail to delight. The views are sensational, and The Pinnacles are worth a detailed exploration. If rolling moors are what is needed though then a visit to Whoap and Lank Rigg will soothe the mind. Don't expect to have it entirely to yourself as this western fringe is conveniently accessed from the road between Calder Bridge and Ennerdale Bridge. So there is plenty of variety in this section which should suit all tastes.

ROUTE ONE. HAYCOCK FROM BLAKELEY VIA BLAKELEY RAISE, GRIKE, CRAG FELL,                ENNERDALE FELL AND CAW FELL.    7 miles 2600ft of ascent.

     The walk starts where the Coldfell Gate road from Ennerdale Bridge to Calder Bridge swings south again after an easterly section below Blakeley Raise with a plantation on the right. Ascend the easy slopes north east of the road to the top of Blakeley Raise, and follow the fence to the right down to a gate at Kinney How where the main track serving the plantations is nearby to the left. A gradual ascent leads to Grike which can be climbed after a fence comes down to the track. Another fence bounds the summit to the south above the track and this can easily be negotiated to reach the huge pile of stones on the summit. A fair path now links Grike with Crag Fell following the fence at first. Having appreciated the fine view up Ennerdale descend the good path north east back to the mine road, and turn down right immediately to cross a boggy hollow well named Black Pots to a stile admitting to the open fell. It is now a simple matter of following the wall all the way to Haycock. A long traverse of Ennerdale Fell is succeeded by another at a higher level on Caw Fell before the scenery becomes more typically Lakeland on Little Gowder Crag a splendid viewpoint for Ennerdale Water. The shortest way back is to reverse the ascent skirting Crag Fell and Grike by keeping to the mine road unless altemative arrangements have been made with transport. As with any described walk in this collection there is always the option to shorten the day at any of the intermediate summits.

ROUTE TWO. HAYCOCK FROM ENNERDALE (Gillerthwaite) VIA CAW FELL.
5 miles 2400ft of ascent from Bowness car park. 4 miles 1950ft of ascent to Caw Fell.

   Follow the track down the hill to the lakeside, and along to the bridge over the River Liza. Go ahead up the right bank of Woundell Beck to a lovely watersmeet at the foot of the tongue between Deep Gill and Silvercove Gill. Both thankfully have footbridges but after crossing the first turn up the tongue on a path that climbs all the way to the ridge where a short simple detour right is all that is needed to reach the cairn on Caw Fell. Return to the grassy saddle and continue by the wall up the rock steps of Little Gowder Crag to Haycock. There are two obvious routes down that do not mean a too lengthy extention. The first being down the ridge of Tewit How to Lingmell, and the other is carry on up to Scoat Fell, and then go down the Steeple ridge turning left above the plantations to cross Low Beck and along the path to Lingmell.

ROUTE THREE. HAYCOCK FROM GREENDALE VIA MIDDLE FELL.
4 miles 2750ft of ascent. 1.5 miles 1650ft of ascent to Middle Fell.

   Go up the path on the eastern side of Greendale and the stream from the parking area at the roadside. When the path turns into the narrow stream defile take the branch alternative that climbs above the edge. This continues quite clearly up Middle Fell with an occasional choice of routes that rejoin further on. The top has a fine view of Wast Water backed by the Scafells. Follow the path north along the ridge soon descending to the marshy neck joining the fell to Seatallan. Turn right on a fair track that rounds the fellside at Winscale Hows and becomes rather vague before the broad ridge between Seatallan and Haycock is reached. A decent path comes off Seatallan and soon divides on the ground ahead. Take the right hand one, and use it as far as the initial ascent of the rocks below Gowder Crag. A narrow trod winds up the steep slope to the right of the crag to arrive at the south cairn. The summit shelter lies on the other side of the ridge wall. Those who think they can cope with the climb to Seatallan may return down the ridge and do so before going on down to Glade How and Buckbarrow. From here go north east to locate a good track ahead of Tongues Gills that safely leads down to Greendale on the west bank of the beck. With more effort a visit to Scoat Fell and Steeple might be made prior to looking at Scoat Tarn and coming down Nether Beck; which would then leave a mile or so along the lake to do. If neither of these ideas appeal then a return directly down by Greendale is the shortest way.

ROUTE FOUR. HAYCOCK FROM GREENDALE VIA BUCKBARROW AND SEATALLAN.
4.5 miles 3050ft of ascent.

   This is a walk of sharp contrasts starting up the west side of Greendale Beck on a prominent track initially which curves round ahead of the ravines of Tongues Gills to the fine rocky top of Buckbarrow. The path keeps well above the beck, and the main ascent begins after crossing a tiny stream. The path fades at the top of the steepest slope above the bracken zone where curve left on a narrow path that points the way to Buckbarrow. The fell has several cairned tops, but visit the lowest spur beyond the large gully for a grand view down to Wast Water. A narrow path now meanders up and over other cairned tops before going across to the fine cairn on Glade How more or less due north. The path crosses a slight depression before ascending an easy slope to another cairned top which is Cat Bields. The route now turns right for Seatallan and our path can be followed all the way to the summit; though it is still far from a blazed trail near the end. The large cairn looks very much like a tumulus with a survey column nearby; otherwise the immediate surrounds are somewhat ordinary. The head of the north east ridge however is a good vantage point, and the depth of the depression to be crossed is only too apparent. On the rising slope beyond take the right hand branch of the path which leads to the fine rocks below Gowder Crag. Go round to the right with the help of a thin trod that climbs up to the south cairn on the summit. Cross the stones to the ridge wall and the shelter on the far side. The walk can be started at Harrow Head going up the right side of Gill Beck on a good track that curves round to the summit by the lower spur. For descents return to the depression below Seatallan and cut round by Winscale Hows for Greendale, or better if energy permits include Middle Fell on the way.

ROUTE FIVE. HAYCOCK FROM COLDFELL GATE ROAD (Blakeley) VIA LANK RIGG, WHOAP, ENNERDALE FELL AND CAW FELL.
7 miles 2550ft of ascent

     At the same point as on Route One where the road bends south below Blakeley Raise take to the good track heading eastwards into the hills. This descends to the infant River Calder, and if this can be crossed a direct ascent may be made to Lank Rigg. It is better though to continue up the valley rounding the flanks of Whoap to an obvious col; where a simple but steady climb is needed to reach the survey column on the summit of Lank Rigg. Before returning to the col go along by the small tarn to the cairned rise behind it for the splendid view. From the col the path continues up and round the rim onto Whoap whose summit is marked by a solitary boulder west of the highest ground. A good track now crosses a slight saddle  north east to meet the path alongside the ridge wall; which as described in Route One leads unerringly to Haycock. The most direct way back is to return by the wall and use the forest road below Crag Fell back to Blakeley.