Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

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Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

By Dave Roberts   

on January 5, 2021   5/5 (2)

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

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

Further Details

Route Summary:

An alternative start to the Corridor Route.

Start and Finish: Wasdale Head - Scafell Pike

Distance: 7.7 km

Ascent: 967 m

Time: 3-4 hours

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

Facilities:

Pub in Wasdale Head, and campsite at Wastwater.

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

Scrambling skills needed on a few sections

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 via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

The Corridor Route up Scafell Pike is normally done from Seathwaite, but can also be joined quite easily from Wasdale Head. It’s not as steep as the Wasdale Route, but it’s longer and definitely more technical as it involves a couple of sections of easy grade 1 scrambling and a few narrow and exposed paths. Heavy rain would also make all the streams forded on the route a bit more of an undertaking!

1 The walk starts from Wasdale Head, where there’s a large National Trust Car park. Pass the Wasdale Head Inn to the footpath beyond, where the Moses Trod  bridleway continues pleasantly into the valley, past an old pack horse bridge.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

2 The track soon ascends, with views towards the iconic Great Gable dominating the view in one direction and Lingmell in the other. It’s a bit loose in places, and involves a couple of sections of easy scrambling. However, the emerging views across towards  the Scafell Massif certainly make up for the path.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

3 Sty Head makes a natural stopping point. If your’e not the first on the hill, try and find the Corridor Route on the slopes ahead. From the mountain rescue point at Sty Head, cross the boggy col along the stepping stones and descend right to join the Corridor Route proper.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

4 The route is straightforward to follow, with the path clear in most places. The only hard bit is the descent to Greta Gill on the Bad Step (there’s one of those on most mountains it seems), which is a short, but steep scramble down. There are some sections of the path that are narrow and exposed, and while they shouldn’t worry a seasoned hill walker, it’s not somewhere to discover that you’ve got a fear of heights! The path continues onwards, passing through the various gills, with impressive views in all directions. Piers Gill has to be the most spectacular, but it’s a close run thing! In the other direction, the crags form an imposing view.

5 Just just after passing Piers Gill the path ascends to Lingmel Col, where it joins the popular ascent route from Wasdale Head.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

6 Follow the main path left, as it zig-zags through the scree paths to the summit of Scafell Pike. The final section can be indistinct, and you’ll need some navigational skills in mist.

In descent, it’s pretty much the above in reverse. The bad step is easily identified by a large arrow scratched into the rock to show the direction of the scramble! Makes finding your footing no easier mind! Also, make sure that you don’t descend into Piers Gill in poor visibility – the initial descent from Lingmel Col is short and it then continues by contouring around. If you find yourself in a scree chute, you’ve probably lost the Corridor Route!

Keep an eye out for this cairn just before you reach Lingmell Col, and turn right along the Corridor Route if following in descent.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Wasdale Head

 

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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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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,  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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