Causey Pike and Scar Crag

From the parking area turn left along the road heading further into the Newlands Valley towards the top of the pass. Stay on the road, down to the road bridge over Stoneycroft Gill. Cross the bridge and as the road goes round to the left look out for the path carefully hidden behind the gorse on your right. There is a very short signpost.

Follow this narrow path as it heads for the base of Rowling End's north eastern spur. Cross the grass tracks, reaching a tee-junction of paths turn right, and then shortly after left onto another narrow path climbing a shelf above Ellas Crag. The gradient steepens and the path gets rougher.

Follow the path as it bears right onto the ridgeline, and meanders up through knee high heather. Approaching the rocky steps the path usually splits into many different options. Pick one and follow it, they all end up together above the step. Continue to the grassy respite of Rowling End.

Cross the grassy summit and continue through the heather. Whilst the path all but disappears under the heather only a few metres ahead the way is obvious. After a few little bumps and meanders of its own the path comes eventually to Sleet Hawse with the climb to the head of Causey Pike ahead.

The path now becomes loose stone in places, and more rocky steps in others. Occasionally a slight respite at a grassy patch and a cairn will be found. Onward, and upwards, until the last steep steep section presents itself.

Having watched a few people climb up, and down, there seems to be a key to each direction. On descent a gully seems preferable. Climbing up, a more direct approach is favoured as the gully is awkward to get into. So, at the first rock step climb up to the right, to a small terrace.

Climb the pinkish rock steps heading to your left. Above these follow the polished rock path to the right. The rest is easily ascended on sight.

The summit of Causey Pike is a little understated for such a fantastic climb. No cairn, or trig point graces its summit. Just a little rocky patch, and a few stones.

Continue over the Pike, and along Nessie's back. Some people count five humps, others count seven. Follow the path over the ridge, drop down to the col with Scar Crags and continue up the other side.

The first cairn is not quite the summit your are looking for. The summit of Scar Crags is a small cairn just a little further on over the grassy and surprisingly moist top.

Continue over the wide summit ridge towards the ignoble face of Sail with its winding path. Drop down to Sail Pass and at the crossroads turn sharp right to continue descending. Initially a few bits of stone pitching can be found, but mainly it is just a rough mountain path.

The path narrows, swings right and traverses a terrace above Long Comb and the old Stoneycroft cobalt mine. Just carry on following the path.

Keep right and remain on the widening path, it gradually becomes more like a track, and consequently rougher too.

Stoneycroft Gill just a stone's throw on the right is not easy to access from the track until in its lower reaches. Where it seems to be a popular ghyll scrambling venue.

Finally approaching the Newlands road the track sweeps left to return to the parking area.