Scafell

Scafell

Scafell is England’s second-highest mountain, at 963.9 m (usually rounded to 964 m), in the Lake District’s Southern Fells. Scafell Pike is a separate, higher neighbour. The rocky scenery above Wasdale contrasts with the broad southern ridge towards Slight Side and Eskdale.

The essential route distinction

The Hollow Stones path and Lingmell Col lead to Scafell Pike. They do not provide a straightforward ascent of Scafell. Broad Stand, above Mickledore between the two mountains, involves rock climbing above dangerous drops.

A walking connection between the summits requires a substantial detour. The Foxes Tarn route drops down the Eskdale side of Mickledore before climbing a wet, rocky gully and scree to Scafell. Avoid the exposed traverse immediately beneath the East Buttress. Plan the descent as carefully as the ascent: the western Green How ridge leads towards Wasdale; the southern ridge via Slight Side leads into Eskdale.

Approaches and complete returns

• Wasdale via Green How: climb the western ridge from the Burnmoor Tarn bridleway and return by the same route to Lake Head. This avoids the northern crags but remains steep, with loose stone above and faint or boggy sections below.
• Both Scafells from Wasdale: climb Scafell Pike through Hollow Stones, continue via Mickledore and Foxes Tarn to Scafell, and return by Green How. WalkLakes’ complete circuit is 9.8 km with 1,143 m ascent.
• Eskdale via Cam Spout and Foxes Tarn: Walking Britain’s circuit starts at Wha House and returns over Slight Side. It is 15.4 km with 1,045 m ascent; the guide estimates 7 hours 50 minutes. Both the gully ascent and the rough descent demand care.
• Boot and Burnmoor Tarn: Walkscene’s out-and-back starts at Dalegarth station, passes through Boot and climbs by Hard Rigg/Green How. It is 9.8 miles, approximately 15.8 km, with a published 5-hour-30-minute estimate.
• Lord’s Rake: a specialist scrambling approach from Wasdale, with a return via Green How. Loose rock, falling stones and difficult navigation make this a serious choice. The full rake and the West Wall Traverse/Deep Gill are different variants; use a detailed guide for the chosen line.

Conditions and safety

Wasdale Mountain Rescue’s advice is essential reading before linking the two summits. There is no easy north- or eastward descent from Scafell. Poor visibility makes the correct exit difficult to identify, and descending the wrong gully can lead to cliffs.

Rain makes the Foxes Tarn gully slippery and may turn it into a substantial watercourse. Lingmell Gill, crossed on the Brown Tongue approach, can become unsafe after heavy rain. In winter, steep gullies and shaded slopes may hold hard snow or ice even when other ground is clear. Appropriate winter skills, crampons and an ice axe are needed when those conditions are present. Check a mountain forecast, carry a map and compass you can use, and allow enough daylight for the complete return.

Summit and landscape

The surveyed high point is a cairn on rock north of a windshelter. In clear conditions the views include Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Wast Water, Burnmoor Tarn and the Coniston Fells.

Scafell’s rocks belong to the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, formed by volcanic activity roughly 450 million years ago. Erosion and glaciation have shaped the crags and valleys seen today.

Getting there

For the Wasdale approaches, use Lake Head National Trust car park beside Wasdale campsite, near NY183075. It is separate from Wasdale Head village green. The Trust lists pay-and-display parking, free for members, and temporary toilets. Eskdale starts include the small parking area opposite Wha House and the pay-and-display car park at Dalegarth for Boot station, which also has toilets and a café.

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway serves Dalegarth for Boot on its operating timetable. The Wasdale Explorer is seasonal; check its current timetable and the last return before relying on it. Do not assume a service from Keswick reaches the start of these routes.

Name and climbing history

The recorded form “Skallfeild” dates from 1578. A recognised interpretation combines Old Norse words for a bald or stony head and a mountain. Scafell’s crags have a major place in British climbing history: Central Buttress was first climbed in April 1914 by Siegfried Herford and George Sansom’s party.