Scafell Pike in the Lake District

Situated in the western part of the Lake District, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England, and attracts thousands of climbers and walkers every year.

Set amid breathtaking scenery, Scafell Pike is 3,210 feet high, and is generally thought to be a harder walk than the slightly higher, and more well-known, Snowdon in Wales. Scafell is a popular climb among visitors to the Lake District, but is probably less climbed than Helvellyn in the eastern part of the Lake District.

If you are planning to stay in a Windermere or Bowness hotel, you can get close to Scafell Pike by hire car or public transport, although the mountain lies in one of the least accessible parts of the region and all the routes to it cross rough and stony ground. If you are attempting to tackle Scafell Pike for the first time, make sure you have all the necessary equipment and keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Scafell Pike from Borrowdale

If you are attempting to approach Scafell from Borrowdale to the north, it is easily accessible from the Keswick area. The path through Esk Hause is probably the easiest, and this well market path goes from Seahtwaite, which is the last point you can drive to up Borrowdale. The path then continues to Stockley Bridge, where the left fork is taken and leads to Esk Hause. From here the path is easy to follow and heads up to the right and then bends left and crosses a stony plateau. The route then becomes rougher, the closer you get to the top via a steep ascent.

Alternatively, take the corridor route, which starts out the same, but take the right fork from Stockley Bridge instead of the left. This will take you up to Sty Head Pass between Borrowdale and Wasdale Head. Turn left at the pass and a path then leads away to the right across steep ground. The path then runs between the crags and the gully of Piers Ghyl, before climbing up to Lingmell Col, where a stony path leads to Scafell Pike up to the left.

Langdale and Windermere to Scafell Pike

If you are planning to set off from Langdale, which be easily reached from Windermere and Ambleside, an easy but long route heads along the valley of Mickleden to Rossett Gill path. Climbing Rossett Gill is not hard but the surface is loose and rough and is not one of the more popular routes. After Rossett Gill, a wider and busier path leads through some stunning high country to the shelter below Esk Hause, where the main route from Borrowdale is joined.

From Eskdale to the south a much less used route ventures into the remote country of Upper Eskdale to reach Samsons Stones - several huge boulders scattered on the valley floor beneath Scafell's Cam Spout Crag. The path ascends the steep mountainside to Mickledore which is the ridge separating Scafell Pike from Scafell. From Mickledore the route to the Pike turns roughly north up more rough ground to the summit.

There is no walkers route directly up to the neighboring peak of Scafell from Mickledore. The Eskdale route does not have any technical difficulties but is not for totally inexperienced walkers doing their first outing in the Fells. This side of the mountain is much more remote and you will encounter far fewer people. It is my favorite route to Scafell Pike.

Wasdale Head to Scafell Pike

Two routes ascent Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head. The most direct route leaves Wasdale Head from near the campsite and ascends Brown Tongue to the amphitheatre of Hollowstones below Scafell Crag and Pikes Crag. Walkers can head to Lingmell Col from here and join the last part of the corridor route from Borrowdale.

Alternatively you can walk up to Mickledore and bear left past Pulpit Rock to the summit, which will make up for the trudge up Brown Tongue, which is not one of the most popular sections of the climb. Many walkers prefer the route from Wasdale which goes via the Sty Head Path and joins the corridor route from Borrowdale, which reaches Lingmell Col by a longer but more scenic path.

Scafell Pike and the weather

If you are planning a walk up Scafell Pike, don´t be fooled by the modest altitude of the mountain. Just to the western side of Scafell Pike is Sprinkling Tarn, which his aptly named as it has the honour of being the wettest place in England. The rain, combined with the west and south west winds, can make the weather a challenge on its own. All things considered, the weather should not put you off, and can even add to the fun, but make sure you keep warm and dry to make the most of your time on Scafell Pike.

If you are looking to combine a climb up Scafell Pike with a romantic weekend in Windermere or Bowness, check out the fabulous themed boutique hotels in the district with private hot tubs, spas and luxury suites. There is nothing quite like spending an energetic day walking the fens of the Lake District, and then returning to a sumptuous boutique hotel suite in Windermere or Bowness and relaxing in a private spa bath or hot tub before dinner.