Scafell Pike via Lingmell
Further Details
Route Summary:
A quieter alternative to the usual route from Wasdale.
Start and Finish: Wastwater - Wasdale
Distance: 5 km
Ascent: 942 m
Time: 2.5 hours
Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Facilities:
Catering van in the car park.
Public Transport:
Traveline for UK Public Transport
Hazards:
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 Lingmell Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Scafell Pike via Lingmell
This quieter route from Wasdale starts off on the same route as Scafell Pike from Wasdale routes before heading off uphill to Lingmell rather than following the throngs up the usual path. You can also start the walk from Wasdale Head, it’s even signposted at the start!
1 Start off from the National Trust Car Park at Wastwater next to the campsite, with the walk setting off directly uphill along Lingmell Beck.
2 You’ll need to head off uphill at OS Grid Ref: NY 18716 07259 – along a faint path that needs a bit of care to find initially. You cross a clearer path from Wasdale Head (that joins the Brown Tongue path) which you do not need to follow, and head uphill.
3It’s a relentless and grassy pull up, but at least you’re not on the ‘Tourist Path’ and you probably will have it largely to yourself. It’s a good path and should be easy enough to follow to the summit of Lingmell. It also makes a better ascent, as it’s definitely rather steep in places.
4 The Summit of Lingmell provides an excellent vantage point to view Scafell, with the Lord’s Rake route somewhere in those steep crags!
5 Once on the summit of Lingmel, you need to descend SE to Lingmel Col, where you’ll re-join the throng. Ensure you take the path up Scafell Pike from this point rather than mistakenly following the Corridor Route, or descending to Wasdale via Brown Tongue! The final ascent to Scafell Pike has a largely clear path, if a bit loose in places that zig zags it’s way up the final 200m of ascent.
6 As you can see from the image above, the final section is rocky and can still be hard to navigate in poor visibility if you happen to get off path. Finally cross the plateau to the summit. You may well need a bearing on poor vis. In the busier season, just follow the throng.
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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