Scafell Pike From Wasdale
Further Details
Route Summary:
Popular and busy route up Scafell Pike.
Start and Finish: National Trust Car Park at Wastwater to Scafell Pike Summit
Distance: 8.7 km
Ascent: 910 m
Time: 3 hours or so
Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Facilities:
Pub and Toilets at Wasdale Head. Campsite and catering van at Wastwater.
Public Transport:
None to the start of the walk.
Traveline for UK Public Transport
Hazards:
Navigation from summit and middle section in mist
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 From Wasdale Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Scafell Pike From Wasdale
This is the popular walk up Scafell Pike from Wastwater, and is the usual three peaks route up Scafell pike. It starts from the NT car park by Wastwater. This is the most popular route from Wasdale, but don’t let that make you complacent. The path becomes indistinct half way up and the final ascent could be tricky in mist. Even if it is the ‘tourist’ path, it’s still an interesting ascent to England’s highest mountain, with only it’s popularity counting against it.
Scafell Pike From Wasdale Route Description
1 The walk starts from the National Trust Car Park at Wastwater, next to the Campsite. There’s very little messing with the route as it sets off along Lingmell Beck, crossing it and then following it steeply uphill.
2 After 1.5km, the path fords Lingmell Beck, with the crossing not overly obvious, but straightforward.
3 Once you’ve crossed Lingmell Beck, you’ve got an even steeper ascent up Brown Tongue to follow. It’s steep, but thankfully only around half a kilometre and the steepest section on the route.
4 After Brown Tongue, the route relents, but the path begins threading and the route ahead may not be immediately apparent, especially in mist. You need to ensure that you veer left towards a large cairn at the top of Brown Tongue across Hollow Stones and that you don’t veer right to Mickledore. There are plans to modify the maps in order to make the route here clearer and easier to follow.
5 The next section of path is steady to Lingmel Col, and easier on the legs than what you’ve already walked up. The path is clear and shouldn’t pose any problems.
6 After around 1.5km, you should reach Lingmel Col where the Path turns right. It is joined here by the Corridor Route, just make sure you don’t join the Corridor Route! The final ascent has a largely clear path, if a bit loose in places that zig zags it’s way up the final 200m of ascent.
7 The summit plateau is finally reached, with the summit itself being a slight climb. There’s a rather strangely placed trig point next to the higher summit cairn. Jostle here with everyone else in order to bag England’s highest point, and an extensive view of the Lakeland Fells.
You can descend by the same route – or alternatively you can either loop around and descend via Sca Fell or return via the Corridor Route to Wasdale Head. In descent, take care at the junction with the Corridor Route not to take the wrong route down, or to veer off in mist as you do not want to end up in Pier’s Gill! We descended today via the Corridor Route as far as Sty Head, a fascinating route down that crosses the spectacular gills that are a particular feature of this mountain.
Dave Roberts
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Gear you may need
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, Â 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 | Â CA20 1EX (Wasdale Head) | Â 4.2km* | Â 900m* | Â 3-4 hours** |
Scafell Pike from Seathwaite, Borrowdale (Corridor Route) | Borrowdale | Â CA12 5XJ | Â 15km (round trip) | Â 1000m | Â 6 hours+ |
Scafell Pike from Langdale | Langdale | Â LA22 9JY | 9km | Â 1130m | 4 hours** |
Scafell Pike from Hardknott (southern approach) Eskdale | Hardknott | CA19 1TG – for Boot – then continue up Hardkott Pass to GR NY211 011 | Â 17km | Â 1000m | Â 6 hours |
Scafell Pike Corridor Route from Wasdale | Wasdale or Wasdale Head | CA20 1EX (Wasdale Head) | Â 7.8km* | Â 970m* | Â 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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A workmanlike track up Scafell Pike – does the job.
Hi
Great info, but as a complete novice that will be attempting this for the first time, can somebody confirm if when Wasdale Head is mentioned it actually just means Wasdale??
Sorry, dont wish to sound picky, just want to make sure.
Hi Steven, thanks for the feedback. Wasdale Head is where the pub is – that route is outlined here – https://www.walkupscafellpike.co.uk/routes/scafell-pike-from-wasdale-head/