Circular Routes up Scafell Pike

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Circular Routes up Scafell Pike

By Dave Roberts   

on August 11, 2018   No ratings yet.

Posted in Scafell Pike Information, Walks in the Lake District

Circular Routes up Scafell Pike

At Walk up Scafell Pike, we’ve outlined all the walks up England’s highest mountain but what about the best circular walks? Here are a few suggestions of how you could combine the routes to form a satisfying circular walk.

Scafell Pike via The Wasdale Path and Down via Lingmel

While not the most famous horseshoe walks in the Lake District, or the most illustrious walk, it’s an option for those who want something a little bit more adventurous than just walking up and down the path from Wasdale. The descent from Lingmel can avoid the Wasdale Path altogether and brings you down nearer Wasdale Head and welcome refreshment at the end of the walk.

Scafell Pike via Sca Fell and descend via the Corridor Route to Wasdale

One of the best full days out over Sca Fell from Wasdale has to be over Sca Fell. Once thought to be the higher of the two mountains, with Scafell Pike merely one of Sca Fell’s Pikes – a mere afterthought! It’s quieter and a rewarding climb, before steeling yourself for the crowds on Scafell Pike. This route descends via Foxes Tarn, not Broad Stand – which should not be attempted by non climbers. In descent, while the Corridor Route isn’t a quiet walk, it’s still much quieter than the Wasdale Path! Those looking for a bit more adventure on the ascent could tackle the Lord’s Rake path rather than the more straightforward ascent up Green How.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Seathwaite and back via Grain’s Gill

This circular route is the both the most practical one from Seathwaite and the best option. Including classic spots such as Styhead Tarn and Esk Hause, it also includes 4 of the 7 highest mountains in England –  Ill Crag (935 metres), Broad Crag (934 metres) and Great End (910 metres) as well as the highest – Scafell Pike!

Scafell Pike From Langdale – returning over Bow Fell

This is the least practical circular route, with the walk in from Langdale being long enough as it is. The best option for a circular walk is to return over Bow Fell for an absolute epic day in the Lake District Fells.

Scafell Pike From Eskdale via Pen and descending via Sca Fell and Slight Side

Similar to the Langdale route – it’s difficult to find a circular walk from Eskdale, but here’s one suggestion that doesn’t become a challenge walk. Ascending Scafell Pike via Great Moss and Pen you can then return over Sca Fell and descend to Eskdale via Slight Side.

There is also the option of ascending via Sca Fell before continuing over Scafell Pike and around to Bow Fell to create an expansive horseshoe of the south Scafells.

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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Welcome to Walk up Scafell Pike

Walk up Scafell Pike is the dedicated on-line guidebook for walking routes up Scafell Pike in the English Lake District, with free walking maps and full guides to all the routes to the summit of England’s highest mountain.

Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England at 978m high and is one of the mountains climbed on the Three Peaks Challenge walk. It’s a formidable mountain that needs respect, with no such thing as an easy route up  the mountain to be had. All the walks and hikes are a challenge, and well worth the effort to reach the roof of England.

The Routes to the Top of Scafell Pike page has an interactive map that shows all the walking routes to the summit of Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Scafell Pike from Borrowdale and Scafell Pike from Langdale as well as hotels, campsites and pubs near Scafell Pike (add your Lake District business for free), and there’s a page for each walk that shows the route, parking postcode,  a downloadable file for your GPS device as well as details on the weather for the mountain.

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions page for more Scafell Pike facts such as how long will it take to climb Scafell Pike, where can i start the walk from and other questions.

Main Walking Routes up Scafell Pike

Route Name Starting Point Parking Post Code Distance Ascent Walking Time
Scafell Pike from Wasdale or Wasdale Head Wasdale or Wasdale Head  CA20 1EX (Wasdale Head)  4.2km*  900m*  3-4 hours**
Scafell Pike from Seathwaite, Borrowdale (Corridor Route) Borrowdale  CA12 5XJ  15km (round trip)  1000m  6 hours+
Scafell Pike from Langdale Langdale  LA22 9JY 9km  1130m 4 hours**
Scafell Pike from Hardknott (southern approach) Eskdale Hardknott CA19 1TG – for Boot – then continue up Hardkott Pass to GR NY211 011  17km  1000m  6 hours
Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Wasdale Wasdale or Wasdale Head CA20 1EX (Wasdale Head)  7.8km*  970m*  3-4 hours **

*Distance/Ascent noted is for one way only.

**Time is for one way only, and variable. Very fit walkers can walk up and down in 3-4 hours(depending on the route)and will know their own timings and speed. If in doubt, assume the longest duration for your ascent and add the longest for your descent, depending on route. Add a good half hour or more for the summit stop as well.

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