Description

At the head of Borrowdale, not far south of Derwentwater, the valley road breaks south then terminates, after a couple of miles, at Seathwaite. Beyond this, between Base Brown and Aaron Crags, an ancient track crosses the beck via Stockley Bridge then toils steeply up an obvious slope, beaten into submission by centuries of use - this is Sty Head Pass - first established as an early pack-horse trail linking Wasdale and Borrowdale. Reaching a height of 1,600 ft, surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the region, the six-mile crossing is justly popular and it is a rare occurrence to have the trail to yourself.