About Yewbarrow

Yewbarrow is a fell in the English Lake District located immediately north of the head of Wast Water. It is 628 metres high and in shape resembles the upturned hull of a boat or a barrow and is on the left in the classic view of Great Gable and Wast Water.

The top of Stirrup Crag forms a second summit 616 metres high, half a mile north of the main summit. The Hewitt and Nuttall lists classify the north top as a separate summit.

The name is derived from the past prevalence of yew trees on the fell and its "barrow" shape.

The Western Fells occupy a triangular sector of the Lake District, bordered by the River Cocker to the north east and Wasdale to the south east. Westwards the hills diminish toward the coastal plain of Cumberland.

At the central hub of the high country are Great Gable and its satellites, while two principal ridges fan out on either flank of Ennerdale, the western fells in effect being a great horseshoe around this long wild valley. Yewbarrow is an outlier of the southern arm.

The main watershed runs broadly westwards from Great Gable, dividing the headwaters of Ennerdale and Wasdale. Travelling in this direction the principal hills are Kirk Fell, Pillar, Scoat Fell, Haycock and Caw Fell. Scoat Fell throws out a long southern ridge terminating in Yewbarrow, with Red Pike standing part way along.

The southern end of Yewbarrow rises steeply from the shore of Wastwater, the crest of the fell running a little east of north for about two miles.

Just beyond the second top, the ridge swings sharply to the west at the depression of Dore Head (1,560 ft) continuing then onto Red Pike.

The wide river valley of Wasdale Head forms the eastern boundary of the fell with the quiet valley of Over Beck to the west.

The ridge-top is rimmed by crags, particularly above Over Beck and at either end. Stirrup Crag lies below the north summit, sometimes lending its name to the top, while Dropping Crag and Bell Rib guard the southern end of the crest.

Yewbarrow summit bears a cairn set on grass, perhaps a surprise after the rough ascent.

It is an excellent vantage point for the high fells in this part of the Lake District. Its unique location makes it the only place to enjoy uninterrupted views of the Scafells, Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Pillar.

Although smaller than the other fells surrounding Wasdale Head, Scafell Pike, Scafell, Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Pillar, the ascent of Yewbarrow by the two traditional routes involves some scrambling.

There are two primary ascents to Yewbarrow from Wasdale Head, via Overbeck Bridge and the Great Door (a cleft in the rocks providing thrilling views of Wast Water) or via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag.

It is possible to circumvent almost all the scrambling on the route via Great Doo. By taking a path to the left of the major gully and a cairned track without any scrambling runs up the west side from below Stirrup Crag to the minor col between the two tops of Yewbarrow.

It can also be climbed as part of the Mosedale Horseshoe, which can start or end at Yewbarrow and also includes Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple and Pillar.