Mountain Course & Activity Locations

Climb Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain!

Lakes Outdoor Experience have been offering guided ascents of Scafell Pike for over 30 years. Owner; and guide, Iain Gallagher, has been walking and climbing on the Lake District fells almost all his life and there isn't an area of the Lake District mountains he doesn't know well. By hiring Iain for a day of guided walking, you can be sure you'll be in safe hands with a experienced mountain-walking leader and ex-mountain rescue team member who can tell you the names of all the fells you will see en route to Scafell Pike and who can tell you a lot about the history of the area; and he's fun to spend a day with too!

There are seven possible ways of ascending Scafell Pike with us!

The short & steep routes from the south west: Wasdale Head to Scafell Pike summit.

For these ascent routes, we meet at either the National Trust Car Park at Wasdale Head or on the nearby green depending on which ascent route you want to take. The national Trust Car Park is the best route for the direct ascent up the side of Lingmell Gill (photo above) which takes on average 4 - 5 hours to complete covering a distance of five miles following what is the most popular path on the mountain. Even on this route it is possible to do a circular route going via the slightly steeper ascent to Mickledore to add interest but this alternative is definitely a good weather option.

The other way up Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head is to go via Styhead Pass to the Corridor Route. This route joins the previously described walk at Lingmell Col just over half a mile below the summit of Scafell Pike and is more scenic than the direct ascent: it is also longer at almost four miles to the summit on the ascent alone. To make a circular walk, the option is to then descend via Lingmell Gill back to the valley floor giving a full day out on the mountain that takes around 5 - 6 hours to complete.

The longer scenic routes: Scafell Pike from the north/ Borrowdale.

The photo on the right is taken near Styhead Tarn. Scafell Pike is above the two persons heads and at this point we are about half way along this classic route up the mountain which starts at Seathwaite in Borrowdale. A circuit can be done starting at Stockley Bridge just over a mile south of Seathwaite and we can choose to take the direct ascent up Grains Gill to Esk Hause and on over the summits to Scafell Pike; or, we can ascend to Styhead Pass just above the tarn and then onwards along the previously mentioned Corridor Route to the summit. It is possible to descend by either ascent route but we would always recommend going up one way and down the other as this gives you the chance to see so much more mountain scenery but on a poor weather day with poor visibility, we will always recommend an ascent/descent via Styhead Pass and the Corridor Route which is still a good walk in it's own right.

The circular walk is 9 miles and takes at least 6 hours. The ascent via Grains Gill (right) and Esk Hause, is approximately 4.5 miles long and takes around 3 hours. The ascent via Styhead Pass & the Corridor Route is also approximately 4.5 miles. This circular route is arguably, the best way to climb Scafell Pike if you are looking for a combination of good excercise and great scenery.

The longer routes to Scafell Pike Summit from the east.

There are three further ways to reach Scafell Pike, but these routes are longer and the way via Eskdale & Upper Eskdale (right) is remote and the paths, less well trodden. The route from Great Langdale to the summit is also long but takes the route out of the head of Langdale and crosses the head of Langstrath running north to Borrowdale; this is another scenic day out.

The upper Eskdale routes can start from the bottom of Hardknott Pass ascending via Eskdale and Upper Eskdale to the summit via Cam Spout Waterfall and Mickledore or via Little Narrowcove. This circular route is approximately 11 miles and is most certainly a full day out. It is worth doing as it takes you in to the remotest area in The Lake District and Cam Spout Waterfall (pictured right) is a sight worth seeing! Also, the chances are you'll see very few, if any, other people on this route.

The walk in from this - the east side of the Scafell Range can also be done from Cockley Beck Bridge in the Duddon Valley via Mosedale, but this is really a dry summer's day walk as Mosedale is wet and there are no footbridges over either Lingcove Beck or the River Esk in Upper Eskdale. Distance is 9.25 miles and this is another 6 - 8 hour day excursion.

Great Langdale to Scafell Pike returning via the same route. 

Starting from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale and walking to the head of that valley (Mickleden) one ascends via Rossett Gill before dropping to Angle Tarn at the head of Langstrath before ascending again to Esk Hause where the northern route from Grains Gill comes up to join. From here, we make a more gradual ascent across the northern summits of the Scafell Range arriving at Scafell Pike before turning around and retracing our steps all the way back. This, another 11 mile walk, is a full day out and again, best done during the summer months.

Frequently asked questions about our guided ascents of Scafell Pike.

Where do we meet for climbing Scafell Pike? As there are seven possible start points for this excursion let us know which route you would like to walk and we will give you a postcode and a what3words location for the start point for your chosen route.

What time do we start our day? Answer - 09:00 is a good time to meet: any later and the car parks particularly in Wasdale or at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel may well be full! 

Do I need any previous experience to be able to join you on a guided ascent of Scafell Pike? Answer - not necessarily so, but you should be fit and healthy and will will, ideally, already have experience of walking on mountainous terrain in the uk.

What equipment do I need in order to be able to undertake a Scafell Pike Ascent Day? Answer - you need a full complement of personal outdoor clothing - a Goretex or similar waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat, gloves, sunglasses, a sun hat and sun cream in Summer. You must bring spare warm layers which may be fleece or other sportswear material but on no account should you attend a Scafell Pike ascent wearing denim jeans or cotton T shirts! Bring your lunch and a cold drink in Summer or a flask of hot drink in winter. It may also be useful , but not essential to have with you, a headtorch and spare batteries. Your walking boots should be at least B1 or B2 rated, sturdy; giving good ankle support and being waterproof. It can also be useful to have one or two walking poles for the descent back to the valley floor at the end of the day.

All of the above equipment should be packed into rucksacks of at least 40 litres capacity. 

Do you provide support/guiding for speed ascents of Scafell Pike/National Three Peaks Challenge Events? Answer - Lakes Outdoor Experience does not provide support or guiding for any challenge events on Scafell Pike.

How fit should I be in order to successfully complete the Scafell Pike Ascent Day? Answer - You need a good level of mountain fitness from regular walking in the mountains and should already have plenty of previous experience walking in amongst mountainous areas of the uk.

How much does it cost per person to undertake the Scafell Pike Ascent Day with Lakes Outdoor Experience? Answer - To do this day with us is a minimum fee of £180.00 for 1 to 2 persons. For three persons to five persons the fee is £70 each. For six to ten persons the price is £60 each and for children under 18, the fee is £50.00 each.

Looking book a guided ascent of Scafell Pike with us? Then - contact us here or call or WhatsApp us on 07761 483364.

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