After warming up along the road from Wasdale Head (parking is also available at start of route proper) the hard work starts as the path turns NE and climbs up on the left (N) of a wall.Just as the path is about to meet difficulties it contours left and, leaving the bypass path to the left (take this if you are not confident to scramble), zigzags up on rock and scree to suddenly arrive at Great Door with a dramatic view directly down the opposite side of the mountain. In my opinion this is one of the best spots in Lakeland and worth a few minutes break to enjoy the airy views of Wasdale below.

The path continues winding up through rocks until the grassy summit ridge is reached and a pleasant easy walk continues until the north summit is reached, where a little difficulty begins. (It is possible to descend with care off the left (NW) side of the ridge at around the half way point if needed). The easy path suddenly disappears of the end of the ridge and drops down to Dore Head over Stirrup Crag. At the south end of the ridge the path had deviously bypassed the worst of the difficulties but at the north end they are attacked head on as we scramble down to the flat grass of Dore Head directly below. Nothing is too difficult but two awkward positions have to be overcome with greater or lesser elegance, then a steep path begins to reappear and we are soon on level ground looking back trying to work out where the route was.

Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Steeple

After the difficulties of Yewbarrow the rocky 1200ft. walk up Red Pike is hardly noticed. (Guide books show a route up direct to Dore Head from Mosedale but this is both very steep and heavily eroded). It is possible to continue on towards Pillar without crossing the summit of Scoat Fell but this misses the opportunity to visit Steeple which is hiding behind the wall running east-west . In clear weather it will be easy to find the narrow ridge just to the west of Scoat Fell summit connecting Steeple with the main mass of the mountain. This must be a superior way of visiting Steeple than wandering about in the conifers in Ennerdale looking for the path.

Pillar

After Scoat Fell we must descend to Wind Gap, where an escape route over scree down into Mosedale exists.  From now on we are on rock until Pillar is left for Black Sail Pass. After the rocky climb up the summit is rather a surprise in its broad blankness and in poor visibility it is worth noting the direction of departure before stopping for a lunch break. All the best features are hidden here and if in mist it may be worth waiting until after descending east to Looking Stead where a good lunch-stop may be found with good views of Green Cove and Pillar Rock. (A path leaves the ridge here abouts north-west for Pillar Rock). Soon after Looking Stead a shortcut path descends to join the main Black Sail path below, but is easily missed in descent and is in any case only adventageous in ascent.

Views of Pillar summit from the east approach as seen on an anticlockwise circuit: 

Once at Black Sail Pass we turn south for an easy and pleasant descent to Wasdale Head and a welcome pint*.
Views of the Pillar ridge.

Haycock

If making a anticlockwise round it is possible to include Haycock by following on along the wall from Scoat Fell to the summit and then retracing steps to the Nether Beck descent.