Our guide to Scafell Pike routes and camping

The Lake District is one of the UK's best areas for walking and hiking and climbing Scafell Pike is one of the most breathtaking highlights.

Standing tall at 3,209 feet, the highest peak in England is popular with walkers of all ages and is the most demanding mountain of the Three Peaks Challenge.

If you are looking for a challenge, there are four main Scafell Pike routes to choose from, following the Wasdale Head, Borrowdale, Great Langdale and Eskdale valleys.

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Scafell Pike map

[PINMAP : attraction : 10004 : 54.454218,-3.211609 : 15]

Wasdale Head

Wasdale offers the shortest, quickest and easiest walking route up Scafell Pike, making it popular with beginners. This is where you come when you search for the Scafell Pike postcode - CA20 1EX (Wasdale Head car park).

The route begins at the large car park at Lake Head (free to NT members, with basic facilities). Follow the Brown Tongue or Hollow Stone routes to both ascend and descend.

If you're thinking "how long does it take to climb Scafell Pike" then probably this is the route for you. At around 7 miles, most reasonably fit walkers should make the ascent in around 2-3 hours, and less to return.

The route is an excellent option for beginners and the Wasdale Head Inn is a great place for unwinding afterwards! Take O/S Explorer map OL6.

Non-walkers can drive to the valley head and enjoy a good picnic, though be aware that the roads are narrow and winding in places.

Borrowdale

The route from Seathwaite in the valley of Borrowdale is still one of the shorter walks, though a little trickier and more strenuous than the Wasdale route. Starting at Seathwaite Farm and ascending via the path to Stockley bridge and up to Sty Head tarn before joining the Corridor route, it's the most popular and perhaps the most scenic route up to the summit (maybe even the best route!).

The route is around 9.5 miles long and despite being a little rocky on some paths, has a gentler and easy-going ascent compared to some other routes. The climb should take approximately 6 hours to complete, with good navigational skills and proper hiking boots well advised!

Seathwaite is one of the wettest places in England and you are quite likely to experience reduced visibility from damp and sometimes misty conditions - especially as the route is quite exposed to the elements in  places. Take O/S maps OL6 and OL4.

If you have a few days in the area, there are plenty of other worthy routes around Borrowdale to explore.

Camping is available nearby in Keswick.

Great Langdale

The Scafell Pike walk from Great Langdale is the longest of the most popular routes at around 14 miles. 

Start from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and head up Mickledon, before zig-zagging up the south west side of Rossett Gill. From the top, head to the cross-shelter at Esk Hause and then west through Calf Cove. You can then follow the path past Ill Crag and Broad Crag to the summit.

The descent follows the same route, but it's easy to come off the summit in the wrong direction, so do take a compass bearing.

Some walkers enjoy adding an ascent of Scafell Pike’s sister Sca Fell too but you can skip this if you want to spend less time in the hills. The detour adds around 3 miles.

Overall, this strenuous walk should take you around 6-8 hours, with spectacular views on good days. Take O/S map OL6.

Eskdale

The route from Eskdale is an 11 mile full-day walk (around 7 hours), and both tougher and more adventurous than some of the other Scafell routes, crossing the Great Moss.

Start at Brotherilkeld, crossing the River Esk and following the footpath north to Scale Bridge. Continue below Heron Crag to the entrance of the Great Moss by Scar Lathing. From there, skirt the edge of the Great Moss below Cam Spout Crag to How Beck. Taking in the beauty of the many enchanting Cam Spout waterfalls, continue to Mickledore and on to the summit of Scafell Pike.

The valley is unspoilt and, because the majority of people follow the Wasdale and Borrowdale routes, you are sure to enjoy a peaceful walk following this path. Take O/S map OL6.

Equipment and safety

Investing in some good quality kit is strongly advised for proper walks like these. Good hiking boots are essential if you want to prevent wet feet and painful blisters and gaiters will give added protection from moisture.

Walking sticks are helpful to spread the work load and keep your balance over difficult terrain. Always carry a dry set of clothes to change into afterwards and drink plenty of fluids throughout the trip. Foods that are high in energy will help keep your sugar levels up.

A basic first aid kit, a map and compass for navigation are also recommended, as well as a torch in case it gets dark more quickly than you hoped and a mobile phone (even if signal strength is poor).

Scafell Pike weather

Weather in the Lake District is often damp and cloudy and weather often provides the greatest challenge to walkers. Always check the weather forecast before you set out and try to walk on a clear day if possible.

Stay safe by chooing a route that suits even the weakest members of your group. Never risk walking up Scafell Pike alone, wear several layers (including good waterproofs), take food and drink, along with a good map and compass - and always inform family or friends of your routes and plans.

There are several different routes to Scafell Pike and although some are shorter and easier than others, all are challenging in their own ways. Climbing shouldn't be taken lightly though, especially if you are a beginner. Some people prefer to take a guide, with prices from around £150 per group per day.

Once at the top, you'll get to enjoy outstanding views in every direction (on a clear day you can see other peaks in Wales, Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man) and a real sense of satisfaction from having reached the summit!

Did you know these Scafell Pike facts and statistics?

If you're keen to know how tall Scafell Pike is, where it is, and the other important facts, read on!

• At 978 metres tall (3,209 feet) in height, Scafell Pike is England's highest peak.
• Scafell Pike is in the Southern Fells of the Cumbrian Lake District, just east of Wastwater.
• The Scafell range includes the summits of Great End, Ill Crag, Scafell Pike, Lingmell and Scafell.
• Westwater (at the foot of Scafell Pike) is the deepest lake in England at 79 metres (258 feet).
• The highest body of standing water in England can also be found here - Broad Crag Tarn - at about 820 metres above sea level (2,700 feet). The tarn is one of the climb's real photogenic gems.
• The surrounding area is one of England's wettest! Seathwaite to the north west holds the official honour!
• Although easily confused because of its similar name, Sca Fell is not the same peak. It's right next door though and at 964 metres (3,162) feet tall is England's second highest mountain!
• Scafell Pike is part of the Three Peaks Challenge, the other two being Ben Nevis and Snowdon (Scotland's and Wales' highest peaks respectively)
• Well behaved dogs are welcome, but we'd only recommend taking dogs that are used to long fells walks.

Fit and ambitious trail runners might want to tackle the Scafell Pike Trail Marathon, which runs annually in July each year.

Browse our site listings to find camping near Scafell Pike.