Scafell
Walking Guide and Walks

Scafell Pike in the Lake District National Park is England's highest mountain at 978 metres above sea level. The 'Pike' is also the eighth highest summit in England and Wales. Adjacent to Scafell Pike is Sca Fell (964 metres) although combining the two 'Scafells' in a single route offers a challenging day in the mountains. Other summits in the range include Great End, often by-passed en-route to Scafell Pike, Esk Pike, Allan Crags and Glaramara both joined by an interesting ridge walk, plus Lingmell on the western flank of Scafell Pike.

The most popular routes of ascent to the Scafells are from Seathwaite in Borrowdale and from Wasdale Head. Other longer routes start from Eskdale and Langdale. Probably the most interesting route to Sca Fell Pike's summit is from Seathwaite and using the corridor route from Styhead descending via the direct route through Esk Hause. Esk Pike is worthy of being the main objective of a walk and is usually combined with neighbouring Bowfell.

List of walks

★ GPS file available ☩ Route profile

Walk	Description	Grade	Miles
2034★☩	Scafell from Wasdale Head	hard	6.50
2046★☩	Great End via the north west face from Seathwaite	very hard	7.00
2800★☩	The Scafells via Piers Gill from Wasdale Head	mod/hard	7.50
3130★☩	Scafell Pike via Esk Hause from Seathwaite	mod/hard	8.00
3096★☩	Glaramara & Allen Crags from Seathwaite	moderate	8.10
2718★☩	The Scafells from Wasdale Head	mod/hard	9.00
2361★☩	Scafell & Slight Side	hard	9.50
1114★☩	Scafell Pike via Corridor Route	hard	9.50
2362★☩	Scafell Pike and Scafell	very hard	11.00
2226★☩	The Scafells	very hard	12.00
3419★☩	Scafell Pike an Eskdale circular	very hard	12.50

Table of summits in the Scafell Group

Rank	Mountain	Metres/Feet	Location
8	Scafell Pike	978 / 3209	Lake District
10	Sca Fell	964 / 3163	Lake District
19	Great End	910 / 2986	Lake District
30	Esk Pike	885 / 2904	Lake District
64	Lingmell	800 / 2625	Lake District
73	Allen Crags	785 / 2575	Lake District
75	Glaramara	783 / 2569	Lake District

What is a mountain?

The accepted standard for a mountain in England & Wales is that its summit is 610 metres (2000 feet) or more above sea level. In addition, rules are in place on the height difference above intervening cols with adjacent summits to determine whether a summit is a separate mountain or a subsidiary 'top'. This is not the place to discuss the technicalities of this issue but the list has been checked against reliable tables. With simplicity in mind separate tops have been excluded from the list as these would normally be discussed in relation to their main summits. The list includes 258 summits and these will all be added in due course starting from the highest and working down.

Stay Safe

Do enjoy yourself when out walking and choose a route that is within your capabilities especially with regard to navigation.

Do turn back if the weather deteriorates especially in winter or when visibility is poor.

Do wear the right clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. If the weather is likely to change for the worse make sure you have enough extra clothing in your pack.

Do tell someone where you are planning to walk especially in areas that see few other walkers.

Do take maps and other navigational aids. Do not rely on mobile devices in areas where reception is poor. Take spare batteries especially in cold weather.

Do check the weather forecast before leaving. The Met Office has a number of forecasts for walkers that identify specific weather risks.

Please Note - These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that Walking Britain is not held responsible for the safety or well being of those following the routes as described. It is worth reiterating the point that you should embark on a walk with the correct maps preferably at 1:25000 scale. This will enable any difficulties with route finding to be assessed and corrective action taken if necessary.

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ScafellWalking Guide and Walks

List of walks

Table of summits in the Scafell Group

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Mountain Weather

Scafell
Walking Guide and Walks