Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

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Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

By Dave Chick   

on January 5, 2021   5/5 (1)

Posted in Scafell Pike from Seathwaite, Walks in the Lake District

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

Further Details

Route Summary:

The Corridor Route is one of the most impressive routes in the entire Lake District, a must on any hill-walkers list. This is an alternative start to the usual route.

Start and Finish: Seathwaite Farm - Scafell Pike

Distance: 7.2 km

Ascent: 882 m

Time: 3.5 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Facilities:

Camp site at start with pubs in Borrowdale. Toilet block at Seathwaite Farm

Public Transport:

Though no public transport runs into Seathwaite, it is possible to get buses to Seatoller. The 78 runs an hourly service from Keswick to Seatoller (half hourly at weekends) while the 77/77A ‘Honister Rambler’ also calls at Seatoller every hour.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

Paths are generally well-defined but can become indistinct on occasions. The summit plateau of Scafell Pike can be confusing in the mist so good navigation is essential. A couple of short, rock steps will need to negotiate along the Corridor Route; one at Skew Gill and one at Greta Gill.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Keeping Safe on the Wales Coast Path,  Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.

Scafell Pike Guidebooks:

Recommended Scafell Pike Maps

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

The Corridor Route from Seathwaite in Borrowdale is one of the best routes up Scafell Pike and one of the best in the Lake District altogether. The combination of relatively easy gradients and awe-inspiring scenery make it a ‘must-do’ on any hikers list.

This description covers a slightly lesser-used route alongside Taylorgill Force, rather than the traditional Grains Gill or Greenhow Knott approaches. It could be argued that this is the best route to Sty Head from Seathwaite thanks to the impressive views of the Taylorgill Force waterfall and some highly enjoyable scrambling.

 

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force Route Description

1 – From the end of the lane, head between the buildings of Seathwaite Farm. Within the yard, to the right, is a metal gate beneath an archway. Pass through it and cross the River Derwent via the footbridge. Immediately after the footbridge is a gate on the left (NY 23346 12197). Head through it to reach open ground alongside the river.

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

2 – The path follows the river south a short distance before veering away, climbing across the lower slopes of Base Brown. The path here can be very boggy and sometimes unclear.

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

3 – The path passes through a couple of gates and over some tumbled drystone walls, eventually reaching a stand of trees situated in a deep ravine. The trees hide Taylorgill Force, one of the highest waterfalls in the Lake District. As you round the corner, the waterfall will come into view alongside an impressive, rocky wall.

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

4 – The route climbs the wall, comprising a jumble of rock ‘steps’ – an easy scramble by most standards. You will quickly reach a small, metal gate in a wall. Beyond the gate, the path contours across the steep side of the valley, being slightly exposed in a couple of places. Eventually, the path will reach easier ground at a small copse of Larch trees above the waterfall.

Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Seathwaite via Taylorgill Force

5 – Styhead Tarn (or simply Sty Head) is a great meeting place of paths. From here you can get to Borrowdale (from where you have come), Wasdale, Great Langdale and Eskdale. You can also reach some of the great Lakeland fells such as Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Glaramara. For these reasons, it is not the place to take a wrong turn. To reach the beginning of the Corridor Route, follow the path along the shore of the tarn as climbs, eventually leaving the tarn behind. You will reach a cairn close to a Mountain Rescue Stretcher box (a large, rectangular metal box located at NY 21889 09512). Take a left here and follow a path as it crosses some boggy ground and then over a rocky outcrop. Keep following this path until another cairn is reached with a path heading off at a right angle to the right (NY 22181 09458). This is the start of the Corridor Route.

The route now continues along the Corridor Route from Seathwaite route – with this walk continuing from section 5

 

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Dave Chick

Dave is our Lake District local expert, often found in the depths of Cumbria he's the author of his own part on the web, All the Gear but no Idea.

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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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