Pillar is a mountain in the west of the Lake District, located between the popular valleys of Ennerdale and Wasdale. In the top ten highest peaks in theLakes, it is slightly less well known than some more illustrious counterparts but a very worthwhile climb to the top of this Wainwright fell nonetheless. Pillar is perhaps more famous for rock climbing than Wainwright walks, with theprominent Pillar Rock some way from Pillar summit being a popular spot for climbers and said to be the birthplace of rock climbing in the Lake District.
Pillar can be reached most easily from Wasdale Head, a popular and convenient starting point for many Wainwright walks. From here, taking the Black Sail pass takes walkers up between Wasdale and Ennerdale, approaching Pillar via its relatively easy east ridge. An interesting walk taking a day and completing a number of fells from our Wainwright map takes a circular route known as the Mosedale Horseshoe. This Wainwright walk begins on the shores of Wastwater, taking the popular route along the Black Sail pass, following a direct route to Pillar summit, or an alternative route involving more scrambling by way of Pillar Rock. After the summit, a ridge can be followed to another Wainwright hill, Scoat Fell, before moving around to complete another mountain on our Wainwright maps, Red Pike. From here, the descent back to Wastwater follows a path past Stirrup Crag and Yewbarrow.
Views from the summit of Pillar are notoriously excellent, with most of the Lake District peaks in view, together with Loweswater and Ennerdale Water. And of course the striking Pillar Rock, which makes a fierce looking point of interest against a backdrop of splendid views over the Wainwright fells, part of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.
More details on walks around Pillar are found in Book Seven: The Western Fells.
Kirk Fell and the snowy summit of Pillar, two Wainwright walks often completed together - Picture by Stewart Smith Photography
Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District