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YHA Black Sail
Overview
Location, location, location. Quite simply, that is what YHA Black Sail is all about. Remote and accessible only on foot, it’s a unique rural retreat that lovers of the great outdoors can normally only dream about.
Located in a traffic-free valley, it’s as tranquil as a stay in the Lakes gets. Those on walking, hiking and climbing holidays will value the superb access to nearby peaks including Great Gable, Pillar, Red Pike and Steeple.
Accommodation at this hostel
- Bed in a shared room is offered here
- Private room is offered here
- Entire place is offered here
- Camping & Cabins is not offered here
Why guests love this hostel
- Unique location at the head of the Ennerdale Valley
- YHA's most remote youth hostel
- Unrivalled access to great walking
Accommodation at YHA Black Sail
Group booking
Serviced group stays for 16 to 16 people
YHA Black Sail – England's remotest hostel – attracts groups seeking a remote, wilderness escape in the Lake District National Park. Only accessible by foot or bike, the hostel is 2.5 miles from the nearest road. Surrounded by 15 mountains, YHA Black Sail is a hiker's paradise with access to Buttermere and Wasdale valleys. Cleator is ideal for mountain climbers and bikers, while nearby rivers offer a refreshing plunge for water sport lovers.
YHA Black Sail is unrivalled for a rural Lake District getaway. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Group-friendly facilities
Sleeping arrangements
Most of our bedrooms are dormitory style rooms with bunk beds. We always try to allocate bedrooms close together and will never ask your group to share bedrooms with anyone not in your group.
Upgrades are available for sole use of an area, floor or the entire place.
Shared spaces
There is no internet or mobile signal here, meaning it’s the perfect place for a digital detox. With modern amenities and a self-catering kitchen, this place is great for outdoor enthusiasts.
Group catering
With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Black Sail (see sample menu).
Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering. Vegetarian options are available and we aim to cater for any special dietary requests.
Parking
YHA Black Sail is only accessible by foot or bike. The nearest road is 2.5 miles away in the Buttermere valley, accessing the hostel via 'Scarth Gap pass'. Guests can leave their cars in the Bowness Knott car park and walk or cycle 6 miles up the Ennerdale valley to the hostel. Vehicles are not authorised beyond the gate at Bowness Knott.
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Café
- Dining room
- Evening meals
- Games
- Group meals
- Intermittent mobile coverage
- Licensed bar
- Mountain view
- No WiFi
- Outdoor seating
- Restaurant
- Self-catering kitchen
- Unlimited breakfast
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: From 08:00 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 20:30.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00. Meals are also available from 17:00 – 20:00. Group catering can be pre-booked for groups of 16 people or more.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: YHA Black Sail is only accessible by foot or bike. The nearest road is 2.5 miles away in the Buttermere valley, accessing the hostel via 'Scarth Gap pass'. Guests can leave their cars in the Bowness Knott car park and walk or cycle 6 miles up the Ennerdale valley to the hostel. Vehicles are not authorised beyond the gate at Bowness Knott.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Black Sail, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire. Assistance dogs are welcome – please notify us at the time of booking.
YHA Black Sail - Access Statement
(PDF download - 125 KB)
Food and drink at YHA Black Sail
Things to do around YHA Black Sail
Climbing in Ennerdale
Don't miss the classic scramble up Slab and Notch on Pillar Rock.
Cycling in Ennerdale
Get out and about on your bike and enjoy the landscape. Whether it’s hill or valley you want to explore, you can ride as far as your legs will allow you.
Walking and rambling around Black Sail Pass
Walkers and ramblers can try the high-level traverse under Pillar Rock up to the summit of Pillar and along the ridge to Black Sail pass with spectacular views of Scafell and Great Gable. The Ramblers...
Ennerdale Lake and Valley
The Ennerdale Valley is a remote, wild valley with magnificent scenery with a wide range of walking and cycling routes. Visit Ennerdale Water's website
Wild Ennerdale Valley project
Visit this secluded valley to experience a sense of wildness, increasingly rare in this busy urban world we live in. Visit the website
Climbing in Black Sail
Don't miss the classic scramble up Slab and Notch on Pillar Rock.
Cycling in Black Sail
Get out and about on your bike and enjoy the landscape. Whether it’s hill or valley you want to explore, you can ride as far as your legs will allow you.
Mountain biking in Black Sail
Travel light and bike up to YHA Black Sail before conquering two of the toughest lakeland passes - Scarth Gap and Black Sail Pass. These both offer stunning views of the Ennerdale valley and Wasdale.
More about this hostel
Volunteering
Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
Find out more and apply to volunteer.
History
YHA Black Sail is one of the oldest hostels in Britain and it started life as a shepherd's bothy - a small hut used for sheltering in the mountains. Back when the hostel opened in 1933, the bunk beds were constructed from a kit of parts and the mattress was simply a canvas between wooden stretchers! Domestic chores and cooking all took place in the common room (or outside) and the water used to be supplied from a nearby stream.
Have a look around the hostel for some vintage snapshots and you'll see how we've preserved its unique character. With a tasteful makeover, a variety of awards, plus support from Defra, we hope this iconic hostel will be treasured for generations to come.
Meet the team
Manager recommends: Take the opportunity to stay in a remote mountain retreat in the heart of Cumbria's Lakeland High peaks without the hassle of traffic, mobile phones and the internet. Make sure you watch the sun rise over Great Gable, and set over Pillar, simply stunning.
This project was supported by the Rural Development Programme for England, for which Defra is the Managing Authority, part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.
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