Scafell Pike from Wasdale

Difficulty : HardDuration : 5.5 HrsDistance : 8.5 Km

Full route description for this walk

The walk starts in the remote Wasdale Valley. Wasdale has despite its popularity managed to escape being spoiled by commercial activities probably mainly due to its remote location. It is situated at the far western side of the Lake District, a good hour or two from the M6 motorway and busy lakeland hubs of Keswick, Windermere and Kendal. The valley is almost completely surrounded by dramatic mountain views from its central spectacle of the beautiful Wast Water. From the shores of Wast Water the scree slopes climb out of England's deepest lake in a way not seen elsewhere in England.

There is a car park situated close to the National Trust camp site at the head of Wast Water, however if it is full then you may be able to park on the road in a layby or at the Wasdale Head Inn car parks. From the National Trust camp site a track heads south east past the climbing club hut at Brackenclose and eventually joins the footpath that heads east alongside the cascading waters of Lingmell Gill.

The path is obvious here and well trodden but also becomes steeper and rougher as it climbs higher up the valley. After following the left banks of Lingmell Gill for a kilometre the path will cross the main flow of the Gill and steadily climb up Brown Tongue in an easterly direction. After the terrain levels off again the view ahead now should be of the impressive over towering Pikes Crag and Scafell Crag joined together by the col ridge of Mickledore.

The path will eventually meet a junction with the main route taken by most Scafell Pike baggers and 24 hour baggers heading off north east, however at this point continue heading east towards the obvious Mickledore col between the two imposing crags above. The usual path heading north east should be used in really bad weather or when inexperienced walkers are present, the route to the summit is very obvious on that route as all you need to do is follow the well trodden path straight to the summit. For those after the most exciting ascent follow the path east and keep heading towards foot of Mickledore's screes.

Mickledore is a place that should be treated with respect. Land slides that change the scree patterns are quite common, but there is an obvious route to the top of the screes and through a small crag where hands on scrambling is required. Taking your time and letting others take the route in there own time is essential for everyones safety, and remember if you happen to kick a rock back down by accident into the path of a fellow walker don't forget to shout "Below" to warn them! Looking up to the right from this position you will see the entrance to the infamous Lord's Rake. Lord's Rake is a long, steep and narrow gully that leads to the summit of neighbouring Scafell, the route is one that scramblers and climbers have played on for many years but in recent years the route has suffered severe rock falls that have made it extremely dangerous and the rocks unstable and unpredictable.

Once you reach the crest of Mickledore you will be stood directly between England's two highest mountains. The route towards Scafell Pike is quite simple and follows an obvious path however in the other direction there is a huge slab of rock known as Broad Stand, it is clear from here why people do not attempt to climb Scafell at the same time as climbing Scafell Pike. Scafell from this direction is only a climbing route at the best of times and even a hard grade 3 scramble in the summer. Follow the path from Mickledore in a north easterly direction passing the Mountain Rescue Kit Stretcher Box and then ascending onto the plateau as the terrain becomes boulder strewn making the paths less clear but following the north easterly direction and obvious ascent will eventually lead you to the summit.

The summit of Scafell Pike is of course visited by thousands of people each year so can often be a busy place. The views from the summit on a clear day are one of the best to be had with views stretching as far as Scotland and out to the Isle Of Man that lies out to sea, the views over the rest of the Lake District aren't bad either. The summit has a huge stone circle platform cairn and an unusual stone built trig point. At 978M/3210FT above sea level Scafell Pike is officially the highest point in England, but for many years it was thought not to be. Back in the days when the mountains were actually called Scaw Fell, the residents and visitors to the Lake District thought Scafell itself was the tallest of the mountains, being closer to the valley and of a more dramatic appearance than its dull bulky neighbour , its easy to see when viewed from Wasdale why they may have made this assumption. Scafell Pike at 978M/3210FT is 14 metres higher than its sister Scafell that stands at 964M/3164FT above sea level.

Follow the footpath that leads north west off the summit snaking down towards Lingmell. After a kilometre the path flattens out at Lingmell Col. Instead of taking the obvious path left back down to Lingmell Gill head north towards Lingmell itself, following the top of Lingmell Crag. The views from the crags include Great Gable and Styhead Tarn and directly below the amazing ravine of Piers Gill, it looks like something from another world with its huge rocky pinnacles and sheer drops. Climb the path across the top of the crags until you reach the tall thin rock cairn on Lingmell's 807M/2649FT high point.

From the summit of Lingmell a path leads west then south west off the fell and down its grassy west facing ridge, the views over Wasdale towards the Irish Sea can make a great ending to a fine day out. The path continues down the ridge steep in places but mainly gradual and over grass fields and then eventually through fenced fields until reaching the path near Brackenclose. I suggest the best way to finish off any day in Wasdale would be to enter the warm atmosphere of the Wasdale Head Inn for delicious meals and the finest brewed on site ales.

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