At 978 m, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England, and it is a more serious day than its height suggests. The paths are rough, the summit plateau is bouldery, and mist can make it easy to lose your way. This guide covers the main routes, parking, navigation and what to carry.
Gear in this guide
Quick picks, with what each is best for. Links go to Amazon UK; as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Full reviews are on the gear page.
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Scarpa Terra GTX | Best all-round boot for UK hillwalking | View on Amazon |
| Aku Trekker Lite III GTX | Best for protection and durability | View on Amazon |
| Silva Expedition 4 | Best for serious navigation | View on Amazon |
| Petzl Actik Core | Best all-round head torch | View on Amazon |
| Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter | Best budget emergency shelter | View on Amazon |
| Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 | Best value waterproof | View on Amazon |
The main routes
Scafell Pike can be climbed from three main valleys: Wasdale, Borrowdale and Langdale. Figures vary between guide sites, so use these as a rough guide and check them against your map.
| Start | Distance and ascent | Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasdale Head | About 4 to 5.7 km one way, roughly 900 m of ascent | About 3 hours up | The shortest and most popular route, but a steady, rough climb. |
| Seathwaite, Borrowdale (Corridor Route) | About 7.6 km one way | About 3 hrs 45 up | A scenic route via Stockley Bridge and Styhead Tarn. Longer. |
| Great Langdale | About 9.3 km one way, about 1,026 m of ascent | About 4 hours up | The longest option, but the easiest drive in from Ambleside. |
Sources: Walk Up Scafell Pike and other guide sites. Distances and times differ between sources.
Parking and getting there
- Wasdale Head: there is a National Trust car park, and it is limited. Do not park on the roads or verges around the village. Arrive early. It is a long drive from most places, about an hour and a half from Ambleside according to one guide.
- Seathwaite: limited roadside parking along the lane to Seathwaite Farm, with no facilities nearby.
- Great Langdale: pay-and-display parking, so bring coins or check the payment options. It is about 20 minutes from Ambleside.
Check the current parking rules with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority before you go.
Navigation on the summit plateau
This is where most walkers get into trouble. Wasdale Mountain Rescue, the team that covers the area, says the summit plateau is bouldery and hard going, and that mist makes it easy to lose the path and end up on the wrong side of the mountain. Recent incidents include walkers who mis-navigated off the plateau in mist and ended up beneath Rough Crag, and others who took a wrong turn and ended up cold and wet at Mickledore.
Their advice includes:
- Carry a detailed map that shows contours, paths, streams and cliffs. They name the OS Explorer OL6 map for the area.
- Know the three routes off the summit. Each reaches a path junction where the route splits.
- Keep someone responsible for route-finding. They warn that even mountain rescue teams have got lost because everyone assumed someone else was doing it.
- Do not rely on your phone. Signal can be poor, and phone navigation can fail.
Their website has a route guide with compass bearings for the summit, which is worth studying before you go. See also our map and compass guide.
Weather and safety
- Check the Met Office mountain forecast. Wasdale Mountain Rescue notes the summit plateau is high enough to catch strong winds that are not obvious from the valley.
- Start early and set a turn-back time, particularly in autumn and winter when days are short. Carry a head torch.
- Carry a storm shelter and warm clothing. People who get lost on the plateau often end up cold and wet.
- The Lake District National Park Authority reports an increasing number of preventable rescue call-outs on the Scafell range, so be well prepared.
- In an emergency: dial 999 or 112, ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue. See our hillwalking safety guide.
Scafell Pike and the National Three Peaks
Scafell Pike is the English peak of the National Three Peaks Challenge, and it is often climbed at night, so navigation matters even more. The Lake District National Park Authority has guidelines for Three Peaks groups, so follow them if you are organising a challenge. Our guides to Snowdon and Ben Nevis cover the other two, and our groups and charities page is for anyone organising a challenge.
Quick answers
How long does it take to climb Scafell Pike?
About 3 hours up from Wasdale Head, 3 hours 45 minutes from Seathwaite and about 4 hours from Great Langdale, according to guide sites. Allow roughly the same again to come down, plus stops.
Which is the easiest route up Scafell Pike?
Wasdale Head is the shortest, but all routes are rough, and the summit plateau is bouldery. The Great Langdale route is longer but easier to drive to.
Is Scafell Pike hard to navigate?
Yes, in mist. Mountain rescue teams report walkers losing the path on the summit plateau. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
Can I climb Scafell Pike in winter?
Winter conditions need winter skills and equipment and make navigation harder. It is a much more serious day than a summer walk.
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