Walking The Wainwrights

This text provides a compact guide to the ascent of all 214 peaks described in the late Alfred Wainwright's seven-volume pictorial guide to the Lakeland fells. It is designed to be taken on the fells, and not left at home on a bookshelf

This is the legendary A. Wainwright's guide to his selection of 56 'foothills' in Lakeland, brilliantly revised and updated by Chris Jesty. The outings described here with typical eloquence and humour were chosen by Wainwright with a particular readership in mind: 'those walkers who, because of age or infirmity, must be content with milder expeditions on lesser fells.' This guide is packed with gems of outstanding beauty which you don't have to be super-fit to enjoy: Orrest Head, where Wainwright's love affair with the Lake District began; Scout Scar, 'a pleasure every step of the way'; Beacon Fell, 'the epitome of that appeals to fellwalkers'; and many, many others. All the walks fall within the boundaries of the National Park. In the second edition, the main routes are picked out in red for greater visibility, and parking information is given where possible.

One name above all others has become associated with walking in the Lake District: A. Wainwright, whose seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, first published in 1955–66, has become the definitive guidebook. Wainwright’s meticulously hand-drawn maps, diagrams and drawings take you up the 214 principal hills and mountains of the Lake District, describing the main routes of ascent from different starting points, as well as lesser-known variants, showing the summit viewpoint panoramas and the ridge routes that can be made to create longer walks. The Western Fells, Book Seven of Wainwright’s Walking Guide, covers Great Gable and the High Stile and Pillar ranges, overlooking the Ennerdale, Cocker and Wasdale valleys.

The Eastern Fells include the greatest single concentrated mass of high ground in Lakeland: a tremendous barrier running north and south, high and steep all along its length, rising to above 3000 feet on Helvellyn – the most-often climbed mountain in the Lake District. Popular resorts such as Ambleside and Grasmere lie in this sector of the fells, as does the beautiful Patterdale valley (the best base, in Wainwright's view, for exploring the area). The Pictorial Guides by A. Wainwright, written half a century ago, have been treasured by generations of walkers. This edition of The Eastern Fells is freshly reproduced from Wainwright's original hand-drawn pages.

Alfred Wainwright, author of the inimitable best-selling Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells, here describes thirty-four selected walks in the interesting limestone area around the Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales. Each has its particular charm or special objective. Each is the subject of a separate chapter containing a diagram, a map, and an illustrated narrative. Also included is a detailed description of the route of the marathon Three Peaks Walk. Walks in Limestone Country was first published in 1970. For this new edition, every footpath has been re-walked, and every map and diagram checked by Chris Jesty, who assisted with the maps on Wainwright’s last two large-format books. It is now fully up to date for 21st century walkers. Also available: Walks on the Howgill Fells Cover photograph: Attermire Scar © Derry Brabbs

The Southern Fells include the highest, roughest, grandest fells in Lakeland including the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike. Wainwright – a fell-walking legend in his own lifetime – knew the terrain and conveyed its grandeur and beauty like nobody else. In this unique Pictorial Guide, he writes of the glorious curves and simple grandeur of Great Langdale; of Wasdale, 'an emerald amongst sombre hills'; of enchanting Borrowdale; of the sparkling radiance of the Duddon; and of the most delectable valley of all – Eskdale, 'sanctuary of peace and solitude'. The Pictorial Guides by A. Wainwright, written half a century ago, have been treasured by generations of walkers. This edition of The Southern Fells is freshly reproduced from Wainwright's original hand-drawn pages.