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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Lake District => Topic started by: wildCAMPER on 10:23:40, 23/05/18

Title: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 10:23:40, 23/05/18
Hi all - it's been a very long time since I walked to Scafell Pike (only done it once) and I fancy doing it again to take some friends to Englands highest mountain. The walking route I done before was from Seathwaite/Borrowdale - the map is below. I'm also aware of the really quick route that I believe 3 peakers often do from Wasdale head? but not really keen on that one as I like a bit of variety in a walk - again map below).


Can any of you recommend any other routes to walk and include maps or give links to map routes? If the route includes a bit of scrambling thats totally fine too - just interested in what options there are to walk to Scafell Pike other than the 2 maps shown here.


I'm also interested in what are peoples favourite routes if you've tried a few of them? I think a lot of people seem to enjoy the route that i done from Seathwaite that takes in the corridor route? Cheers!


(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6x_4BJdcm74/WvRE24lKu6I/AAAAAAAAH6I/JNnWCvukiX86VmtZCSZEwxf2EJi76qo2QCLcBGAs/s640/scafell-pike-walk-routes-map-lake-district-height-3-peaks-lakes-weather.jpg)


(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHQcXyfQe3w/WwKYPBas8bI/AAAAAAAAH7g/YLm5_V0FmlwQfthCwXaGKd4vJnl6bFnwwCLcBGAs/s640/Scafell%2BPike%2Bmap%2Bwalk%2Bfast%2Broute%2Bquick%2Beasy.png)
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: Glyno on 17:36:37, 23/05/18
You could try the route from Wasdale Head via Piers Gill (path on East side)
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 10:38:17, 24/05/18
Thanks @Glyno - I'll look into Piers Gill -seems like there are multiple ways you can tackle Piers Gill? Got any good links?
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: Jac on 14:58:46, 24/05/18
From Wasdale Head Up via Mickledore and back via Piers Gill worked well for me :)
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: Strider on 15:32:11, 24/05/18
One slight variation on your first route: there are two paths past Taylorgill Force, the bridleway via Stockley Bridge on the east side of the gill, and a path on the west side which requires you to clamber over some large boulders, its an easy scramble.  It's from here that you get the best view of the falls.
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 12:02:09, 29/05/18
Thanks for the tips :)


@Strider - Just had a friend who tackled your recommended route up past Taylorgill Force at the weekend - said it was good  O0
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: rural roamer on 18:24:07, 05/06/18
Some useful information here for me, as we're planning on doing Scafell Pike at the beginning of
July as part of doing the three peaks this year (Snowdon done in May). We walked the Rhyd-ddu path up Snowdon which was fine, so don’t mind an easy scramble.

Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 19:47:56, 05/06/18
@ruralroamer - you will have to let us know how you get on - and your favourite of the 3 peaks. Mine is Snowdon via Crib Goch - one of my best walks that one :-)
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: richardh1905 on 12:56:30, 10/06/18

The Piers Gill path is a good way up from Wasdale; the normal tourist route up Brown Tongue to Mickledore is a trudge.


For the descent; why not make a round of it and carry on over Broad Crag on to Great End; then down to Esk Hause, then via Sprinkling Tarn and Sty Head for the return to Wasdale?

Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 17:06:02, 11/06/18
Piers Gill sounds like a way to tackle Scafell Pike then - cheers!
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:33:57, 13/06/18

I'm going to add a proviso about Piers Gill; please read the link below from Wasdale Mountain Rescue, as people have got themselves into difficulties on this route, I suspect usually when descending in poor weather:


http://www.wmrt.org.uk/advice/accident-black-spots/piers-gill-scafell-pike/ (http://www.wmrt.org.uk/advice/accident-black-spots/piers-gill-scafell-pike/)


Having said that, I still recommend Piers Gill as an excellent way to ascend Scafell Pike. The so called 'bad step' is a short scrambly section where you do have to put hand to rock, but it is not hard, and I had no hesitation taking my daughter up when she was 14; she had no bother at all.
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: Skip on 09:41:49, 19/06/18
I've only just noticed this thread - sorry the reply is belated.

It's always worth looking at previous Walking Forum threads. Many common queries have already been answered.

Here's a thread titled "Scafell Pike - best route to the top?" which has plenty useful info:
http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=14052.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=14052.0)


A couple of brief observations on the Piers Gill route.

... I still recommend Piers Gill as an excellent way to ascend Scafell Pike.
Indeed it is. Dave and I walked up the path beside the gill on Sunday. We had the place to ourselves and were rewarded by some impressive views of the gill and its surroundings.
 A path runs along the south-east then the east side of the gill. The path is clearly marked on the OS 25K map (though not on the Harvey maps): on the ground for the most part there's an obvious trod which, despite the clag, we found very easy to follow.

... please read the link below from Wasdale Mountain Rescue ...

http://www.wmrt.org.uk/advice/accident-black-spots/piers-gill-scafell-pike/ (http://www.wmrt.org.uk/advice/accident-black-spots/piers-gill-scafell-pike/)

Yes, that's well worth reading. Wasdale MRT's web site also has some interesting images and video of a training day in the depths of the gill - this shows why the gill itself (as opposed to the path above the gill) is a no-go for walkers.
http://www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/training%20piers%20gill%20-%2011%20Mar%2007.htm (http://www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/training%20piers%20gill%20-%2011%20Mar%2007.htm)


The so called 'bad step' is a short scrambly section ... it is not hard...
Yes, easy scrambling up a very obvious route, no exposure.
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 21:25:29, 01/07/18
Cheers @Skip - useful stuff!
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: rural roamer on 13:46:19, 07/07/18
Off to the Lakes tomorrow til Friday, staying in Rosthwaite. We’ve decided to tackle Scafell Pike from Borrowdale and will probably go up via Esk Hause and back the corridor route. I would prefer the scramble up the bad step than down on the corridor route. Although a lot of blogs/reports I’ve read seem to go the other way, which do forum members prefer? I ‘ve had a problem with my hip so not managed to do a great deal of walking recently but last weekend did two 5 mile walks and yesterday 9 miles, though on the flat. We’ll probably do something like Catbells on Monday to get the hill legs and then aim for Scafell pike Tues or Weds. I’m going to have to rely on past experience.  The hip was ok, I think it might be the heat that would get to me first, boy it was hot yesterday when we finished. Uphill and heat combined I struggle with. So hoping it will be a bit cooler and we’re fully prepared to start really early and turn back if the heat or hip get to me!
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: ninthace on 18:08:27, 07/07/18
Off to the Lakes tomorrow til Friday, staying in Rosthwaite. We’ve decided to tackle Scafell Pike from Borrowdale and will probably go up via Esk Hause and back the corridor route. I would prefer the scramble up the bad step than down on the corridor route. Although a lot of blogs/reports I’ve read seem to go the other way, which do forum members prefer? I ‘ve had a problem with my hip so not managed to do a great deal of walking recently but last weekend did two 5 mile walks and yesterday 9 miles, though on the flat. We’ll probably do something like Catbells on Monday to get the hill legs and then aim for Scafell pike Tues or Weds. I’m going to have to rely on past experience.  The hip was ok, I think it might be the heat that would get to me first, boy it was hot yesterday when we finished. Uphill and heat combined I struggle with. So hoping it will be a bit cooler and we’re fully prepared to start really early and turn back if the heat or hip get to me!


This trace may helpful, it’s a bit old as I recorded it in 2013 but I don’t suppose the mountains have moved much https://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ynutgpvdkutpngfz
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: rural roamer on 22:52:48, 18/07/18
So we tackled Scafell Pike on Tuesday last week, after doing Haystacks on Monday in preparation.  We set off early, parking at Seathwaite farm at 7.15, there were only 3 or 4 cars there then. We picked a good day, mostly cloudy so not too hot, but still clear. We went up via Esk Hause and back down the corridor route.  We saw hardly anyone heading up but there were quite a few at the top and heading up from Wasdale.  A few more people around when we were heading down. The reported “bad step” was perfectly manageable, I think the boulder field and scree on the way up was worse! And a bit of a scramble up Haystacks was probably harder. We finished off the week with walks to Walla Crag, Watendlath and Castle Crag, so a great few days!  :)
I would say that Scafell Pike by this route is technically harder than Snowdon via Rhydd dhu and Snowdon Ranger, as to which I prefer, I’m not sure I can choose, they were both great! Now for Ben Nevis (September) . I am thinking that we won’t enjoy that so much and it may be a slog up and down with lots of people as we can’t choose a quieter, prettier route. But hey, we’re doing it anyway. And can we be lucky with the weather yet again?
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: richardh1905 on 23:06:42, 18/07/18
Good luck with Ben Nevis, rural roamer. You are right about it being a slog - a 1344m staircase, and my calf muscles still ache 2 days later! And I have never seen so many people on a summit - Snowdon included.
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: archaeoroutes on 16:14:39, 21/07/18
My favourite is up from Eskdale.
https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTUxNzY=
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 13:21:18, 03/11/20
Well it's been a long-time since I posted on this thread - but took some mates up Scafell Pike the other week - unfortunately Piers Gill as recommended by some of you looked at bit tricky after the wet weather and it was very windy - so opted for the safer Corridor Route again - the weather cleared so some nice views where to be had - here's some photos!

 
Styhead Tarn!
 

 
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTla2Ni8clE/X4YC6P9wOsI/AAAAAAAAI30/VIe4toeeb1IdoIOUJhJGzYbvZ7WCXpB6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-8.jpg)




Hoping we didn't need this!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ok_G8gqEJVo/X4YC6b7c9nI/AAAAAAAAI34/IeeKbuVhwrIoJo3AQfXq83MMNA8_HY5_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-9.jpg)




Looking across the Corridor Route:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KS_FdGRy-cI/X4YCu-3kX0I/AAAAAAAAI1g/auCN3F_ZMnMKlW38dcJYSPTxFzFGpaBvACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-12.jpg)




Looking towards Piers Gill - maybe another time!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEPk5D9MJmI/X4YCvmj78OI/AAAAAAAAI1s/JpmaUPMjFHE9yJnxCar6TV2VCL1Gspf3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-15.jpg)




(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlTY5js602w/X4YCwhc19MI/AAAAAAAAI14/eavTfCfowl87U6ZaeBS3cOcCmrwMvI2CACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-18.jpg)




Nearly at the summit off Scafell Pike!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-czXVXfmu_Is/X4YCyixFEkI/AAAAAAAAI2U/3VFNa1KaQRAJMux07REjpCjgvz_D7oe4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-24.jpg)




View from the top of England!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VldQAZQZFa8/X4YCzuzTyEI/AAAAAAAAI2g/S3UmMUZBWbwAXsy8DSbWtnTyQ22Ly5SRACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Scafell-Pike-walk-routes-height-climbing-corridor-route-seathwaite-elevation-hotels-campsites-27.jpg)

Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: fernman on 17:24:09, 03/11/20
Lovely pictures WildCamper, and you're a nice person for coming back after 5 months to post an update on your thread; what a pity every user of this forum isn't like that.
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: wildCAMPER on 20:11:23, 03/11/20
Lovely pictures WildCamper, and you're a nice person for coming back after 5 months to post an update on your thread; what a pity every user of this forum isn't like that.


Thanks - I’d like to use the forum more often but life takes over - don’t do as much walking as I’d like
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: clyoung on 23:38:31, 30/11/20
Great pictures!
Title: Re: What are the best walking routes to Scafell Pike with maps?
Post by: BuzyG on 00:31:11, 01/12/20
Lovely pictures.

If I ever do Scarfell Pike again, I think the corridor route may well be taken.  First time we scrambled up Cust Gully on a rainy day.  That required a rope for two small waterfalls..  We did every promenance named on the massive that day, apart from Lingmell.. So the corridor route or Pikes Gill would sort that out.

Best of luck on Ben Nevis.  The only way I have climbed the Ben thus far is via the CMD Arete and that was another cold foggy winter's day. So no one else about.  The route along the arete is an lumpy walk not really a scramble. It is a long day though. But so worth the effort.  I plan to be back there just as soon as I can be.