Haystacks in the Western Fells was the favorite peak of all in the Lake District for the famous walker, author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright. His ashes are scattered at the shores of Innominate Tarn, one of a number around the Wainwright walk to the top of Haystacks. In his writings, having requested that his ashes were scattered there, Wainwright advised future walkers 'should you get a bit of grit in your boot as you cross Haystacks in the years to come, please treat it with respect, it might be me'. As well as being the most popular with A. Wainwright, Haystacks has also topped a number of polls to discover the favourite Wainwright walk of visitors to the Lake District.

The varied landscape is the big draw for Wainwright walkers to haystacks, with numerous tarns and grassy moors to see. Also, Haystacks means 'High Rocks', a name which comes from the craggy summit cliffs at the summit. The reward for completing this Wainwright walk is a fine view of Buttermere, together with Crummock Water, Ennerdale Water and a range of hills including High Crag, Pillar and Great Gable. Its nearest neighbour, Fleetwith Pike also looks impressive, and is often completed too as part of a Wainwright walk beginning on the shores of Buttermere.

For a longer walk that completes three peaks from your Wainwright Maps, Haystacks can be climbed in conjunction with High Crag and Brandreth, a walk giving fantastic views of Buttermere and Ennerdale. Haystacks forms the central fell in this Wainwright walk, quite fitting for a hill described by Alfred Wainwright as 'the best fell-top of all'.

Further information on Haystacks is contained in Book Seven: The Western Fells, by A. Wainwright, a volume of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.

Alfred Wainwright's favourite fell, Haystacks on the right, with its neighbour Fleetwith Pike - Picture by Stewart Smith Photography