I have been drawn to the work of The acclaimed Lake District walker and writer Alfred Wainwright for as long as I have been visiting the Lake District. His 'Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells' are the most famous walking guide books ever written and they were an early reference point for me when planning my first walks in the National Park during the early 1990's. I use the Pictorial Guides to this day, the 50th anniversary edition of the original works.
The Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells is a series of seven books which detail the character of, and the various routes available to reach the summits of 214 individual Lake District mountains/ fells. They range from Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain at 3,210 feet (978 meters) to diminutive Castle Crag in Borrowdale which reaches just 951 feet (290 meters) in height. To climb all 214 of the Wainwright's is a right of passage for many walkers and to some an obsession. Some take it leisurely, knocking their list off slowly on irregular visits to the Lake District. Others want to get the job done as quickly as possible and the point of this 'Walking the Wainwright's' list is to help them do just that. The maps and routes in this section are for just 36 walks which when done will see the completion of the 214 Wainwright Fells. The maps and routes are inspired by the book 'Walking the Wainwright's' by Stuart Marshall which was first published in 2000. Some of the walks are as Stuart detailed them and some are designed with changes made by myself. For example I have moved the accomplishment of High Raise in the Langdales from Route 14 to Route 12 as I determined the change makes the particular walks more balanced experiences. I have actually done both walks myself and they feature in my Lake District section as do some more of the walks in this compilation.
So here we go, follow the 36 routes and you will complete the Wainwright's in quick sharp time. Where routes are exactly complimentary to my walks in the Lake District the links will take you to my journey where you can read personal reflections and see some of the pictures I took along the way.
Important Note: I provide maps, statistics and route files in .gpx and Google Earth .kmz data forms for each walk in the compilation. Presently the 'Walking the Wainwright's' book is not available. Listed below are two alternative Wainwright's completion books, the first to be done in 45 walks and the second in 64 walks.
Alternative Book 1: Complete the Wainwrights in 45 walks
Alternative Book 2: Complete the Wainwrights in 64 walks
Walking the Wainwright's Check List
Walking the Wainwright's Routes Map
I am always pleased to received feedback on the structure and content of the website. I also welcome suggestions on how I can improve the website which may include new areas to cover, new walks or route alterations to existing walks. To contact me with feedback and/ or suggestions please complete the Walking Englishman Feedback Form. Thank you.
(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such. They are written with personal reflections of my walks)