NY2107 : Scafell Pike
Hard mountain walking; navigation essential

Scafell Pike

978m Elevation
912m Prominence
England Country
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Overview

Scafell Pike is England’s highest mountain, rising to 978 metres in the Lake District. Scafell is a separate neighbouring summit.

Scafell Pike

England’s highest mountain rises to 978 metres in the Lake District. Scafell is its separate neighbour. The boulder-strewn top holds a broad stone cairn, trig point and war memorial.

Hollow Stones starts at Lake Head, not Wasdale Head green. Seathwaite’s Corridor Route, Eskdale and Langdale offer longer approaches. Choose your start and return before setting out.

The upper mountain demands careful navigation in cloud. Cross Lingmell Gill only when safe and remember that rain can cut off the return. On the Hollow Stones descent, identify the correct junction above Lingmell Col. Never follow Piers Gill down.

The summit was given to the National Trust in 1919 as a First World War memorial. Scafell Pike’s ancient volcanic rocks belong to the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, with glaciation shaping the surrounding valleys.

Choose a suitable mountain forecast and leave time for the descent. Broad Stand, between the two Scafells, is a rock climb rather than a walking link.

Explore routes near Scafell Pike

Public walks starting within 80 km of this hill. Nearby does not mean a route reaches the summit; check its map and access before setting out.

Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones

8.1 km 2h 45m–4h 5m Hard

View route

Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

14.1 km 4h 45m–7h 5m Hard

View route

Great Carrs Halifax Wreckage from Wrynose Pass

4.6 km 1h 35m–2h 20m Hard

View route

Tarn Hows Fast Route

4.1 km 1h 5m–1h 25m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches, not verified navigable routes or permission to cross land. Check current paths, local access rules and conditions before setting out.

Wasdale via Hollow Stones

From Lake Head car park, cross Lingmell Gill only if safe, then climb through Hollow Stones and above Lingmell Col to the summit. Return by Hollow Stones at the descent junction, not towards Piers Gill. Rain can make the beck impassable before your return. Allow at least 5–6 hours in good weather.

Hard

Corridor Route from Seathwaite

From Seathwaite, go via Stockley Bridge and Sty Head, then the Corridor Route and Lingmell Col to Scafell Pike. Return the same way. The rocky step needs scrambling down on the outward journey and back up on return; allow 7 hours or more.

15.2 km Hard

Eskdale via Esk Hause

From Brotherilkeld, follow the River Esk to Lingcove Bridge, then take the east-bank approach above it through Great Moss towards Esk Hause. Avoid the exposed west-bank gorge below Green Crag. Continue across the Ill Crag and Broad Crag slopes to Scafell Pike and retrace the route. Cross unbridged water only if safe; allow for rising water before your return.

Hard

Langdale via Rossett Gill

Start at Old Dungeon Ghyll and follow Mickleden, Rossett Gill and Angle Tarn to Esk Hause. Continue below Great End, across the Ill Crag and Broad Crag boulder fields, to Scafell Pike. Return by the same route. This is a long, demanding day with slow going on the high rocks. Cross Angle Tarn’s outflow only if safe; rain may make the return crossing unsafe.

Very Hard

Wasdale Head via Great End and Lingmell

From Wasdale Head green, climb via Sty Head, Sprinkling Tarn and Esk Hause to Great End. Continue beside Ill Crag and Broad Crag to Scafell Pike, then visit Lingmell from Lingmell Col. Return through Hollow Stones, across Lingmell Gill and over Lingmell’s western shoulder to the green. About 15.4 km and 1,107 m ascent; allow a full day.

15.4 km Hard
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Furth Simm Hewitt Nuttall High Hills of Britain Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger Historic County Top (pre-1889) Administrative County Top (1889 to 1996) Current County/UA Top

Elevation

978m

3,209 ft

Prominence

912m

Coordinates

54.4543, -3.2117

NY215072

OS Map

89 90

Explorer: OL6N

At the Summit

A broad stone summit cairn, war memorial and trig point stand on the rocky plateau. The natural high point is rock beside the trig point.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky and rugged with steep ascents interspersed with scree and patches of grass.

Scafell Pike belongs to the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, a complex succession of ancient volcanic rocks shaped later by glaciation and weathering.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can behold views of Great Gable, the valleys of Wasdale and Borrowdale, and on a clear day, the distant hills of the Isle of Man.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The origin is disputed. One suggested Old Norse derivation refers to a fell with a bald summit.

Historical Significance

England’s highest mountain. Its summit was given to the National Trust in 1919 as a memorial to people from the Lake District who died in the First World War.

Getting There & Facilities

Check current local access restrictions, parking rules and transport timetables before travelling. These notes do not confirm public access to the summit.

Parking

For the direct Hollow Stones route, use the National Trust Lake Head car park beside Wasdale campsite (NY183075; CA20 1EX). Charges apply, with free parking for National Trust members. Wasdale Head village green is a separate starting point. Park considerately and return another day if designated parking is full.

Public Transport

The seasonal Wasdale Explorer links Ravenglass and Wasdale Head. Its 2026 season ended in August; check the National Park’s current timetable before planning a journey. Arrange onward transport when it is not running.

Nearby Facilities

The National Trust lists temporary toilets at Lake Head car park. Wasdale Head has an inn; check opening times and availability before relying on food or other services.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Cloud can make the summit difficult to navigate. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
  • Cross Lingmell Gill only when safe; rain may make the return crossing impassable.
  • Do not descend Piers Gill. The Corridor Route crosses rocky steps and gullies.
  • Broad Stand between Scafell Pike and Scafell is a rock climb, not a walking shortcut.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow, ice and severe windchill can affect the mountain. Winter conditions require suitable skills and equipment; allow enough daylight for the return.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Scafell Pike?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Scafell Pike through the maps

Are there other walkers around Scafell Pike?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Scafell Pike search or of course create your own walk for Scafell Pike

Can I organise a walk to Scafell Pike?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Scafell Pike.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Scafell Pike?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Scafell Pike here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Scafell Pike location map

Grid reference: NY215072

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Hills within 30 km

Straight-line distance, not a walking route or confirmation of access.

Scafell

Scafell

964m

 Great Gable

Great Gable

899m

 Esk Pike

Esk Pike

885m

 Bowfell

Bowfell

903m

Hard Knott

550m
See 5 more nearby hills

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