Yewbarrow: Height, Walks and Views above Wast Water

Yewbarrow is a compact but rugged fell above Wast Water, its long ridge guarded by steep ground and rocky ends. At 628.7m, it stands below Wasdale’s highest summits, yet has a presence quite out of proportion to its height. Walkers value its rough character, close views of the surrounding giants and the sense of being on a proper mountain ridge without reaching the district’s highest ground.

A distinctive ridge above Wast Water

Yewbarrow stands on the western side of Wasdale Head, rising sharply above Wast Water. Its elongated, broadly north–south ridge gives it a distinctive outline: steep flanks, a comparatively narrow crest and rocky ground at either end. Seen from the lake, it looks more formidable than its height alone might suggest. The contrast between the water below and the broken skyline is central to its character.

The summit reaches 628.7m, or 2,063ft, at grid reference NY173084. Across Wasdale, the Scafell massif and Lingmell dominate the outlook, while Great Gable and Kirk Fell help frame the head of the valley. Wast Water is another important part of the view, particularly from the southern ridge. This is a fell where the changing relationship between lake, crag and neighbouring summit rewards attention throughout a walk.

Yewbarrow in the Western Fells

Yewbarrow belongs to Alfred Wainwright’s seventh volume, The Western Fells, and ranks 123rd by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its modest position in that list is worth keeping separate from its difficulty: height is not a reliable measure of how demanding a Lakeland fell will feel underfoot.

To the north, Dore Head forms the saddle between Yewbarrow and Red Pike, the Wasdale fell rather than its namesake above Buttermere. Beyond lies the higher country around Scoat Fell and Pillar. Middle Fell stands to the west, across the valley of Over Beck. These neighbours place Yewbarrow at the southern edge of a substantial tract of western mountain country, with Wasdale providing the immediate setting.

Great Door, Stirrup Crag and walking character

Two named features explain much of Yewbarrow’s reputation. Great Door is the conspicuous rock cleft on its southern ridge, associated with a striking view down towards Wast Water. Stirrup Crag forms the rugged northern end. Both are familiar names in accounts of the fell, and the direct ridge approaches involve scrambling rather than simply following an easy summit path.

Yewbarrow therefore deserves more preparation than its relatively modest altitude might suggest. Steep ground, exposure and wet rock can all affect the day. Not every itinerary tackles the same difficulties, so a dedicated route guide is important when choosing a walk. For walkers comfortable with that terrain, the appeal is clear: a sharply defined ridge and an unusually close encounter with the architecture of Wasdale.

Where Yewbarrow stands

Summit at grid reference NY173084 · open full map

The real Yewbarrow

Walking Yewbarrow

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• District by Zomato: Movies, Events, Dining, Sports & Concerts ... (district.in)
• District Underground line (tfl.gov.uk)
• The District (thedistrict.co.uk)

Weather on Yewbarrow

Conditions estimated at summit height (629 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Yewbarrow on your wall

Yewbarrow’s long ridge and rocky ends give a painting a strong, recognisable shape, especially with Wast Water below. A print or canvas at home can recall that particular balance of lake and fell: familiar from the shore, and quite different once you have walked the crest.

Own “Vibrant Yewbarrow Ridge and Lake” — our painting of Yewbarrow → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Red Pike (Wasdale) 826 m
• Pillar 892 m
• Scoat Fell 841 m
• Middle Fell 582 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.