Scafell Pike, Lake District UK
• 5-star hikes
• 5 to 11 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 890-1,250m (2,920-4,110ft)
• Wasdale Head, UK | Cumbria
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Hiking out of Mickleden Valley on the Langdale route.
Likely derived from Old Norse, the name of Scafell Pike's is open to some debate. Nobody however is contesting that this 3,209 foot (978 meter) mountain is not only the tallest peak in the Lake District, but also the highest point in England. An extremely popular peak located in the country's most popular hiking destination, we've illustrated the three main routes to the summit.
The three routes we show are regarded as the main non-technical approaches suitable for almost any prepared hiker, provided they are familiar with the length and elevation gain required for a moderate unshaded mountain walk. This is why we've listed this hike as medium difficulty. So far we have only hiked Scafell Pike via the Langdale route, but we include hikes from Wasdale Head and Seathwaite on our map to help you decide your preferred option. Other options are available, including climbing routes and a semi-technical hike from Hard Knott pass that is reported to be very difficult in wet conditions.
| ⬤ 5★ Langdale Out & Back
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX? |
| ⬤ Wasdale Out & Back
Public Map at AllTrails · Directions |
| ⬤ Seathwaite Loop
Public Map at AllTrails · Directions |
Approaching Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head is the shortest and by far the most popular route; hiked roughly ten times more frequently than either of the two other two routes we show here. Though still popular, the Seathwaite and Langdale routes offer more opportunities for tranquility on trails that are longer but much less steep as a result.
Be aware that through-roads in the Lake District are few and slow, so how you are travelling into the area could be the main deciding reason for picking one trailhead over another. For example, if you're residing in Ambleside then driving times to your closest trailheads are Langdale (20 mins), Seathwaite (50 mins) and Wasdale Head (1h30 mins) respectively. Comparisons and links in our table above should help you decide your best option.
Setting out along Mickleden Valley under blue skies.
⬤ Langdale Route
The trail from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel gives your muscles a gentle two mile warm-up through the flat Mickleden Valley before you start your climb to the summit of Scafell Pike. Gravel and hardpack trail yields to carefully placed stone slabs that make the ascent to the top of the valley a relatively moderate experience. On the way you'll pass picturesque small waterfalls on mountain streams.
From the top of the valley the glacial Angle Tarn pond comes into view, beyond which distant picturesque valleys stretch out to the horizon. Your legs get a brief respite from the climb as the trail levels off at the mid-point, before resuming again at a comfortable incline. The trail continues to be easy going until around three-quarters of a mile before the Scafell Pike summit when you meet with one of two brief boulder fields. Keep an eye on your map as you trace a route across the boulders from cairn to cairn as there are no other discernable markers to signify the continuing trail.
There's a brief semi-steep section in the saddle between the peaks of Broad Craggs and Scafell Pike that leads you on to the final boulder field and the top of the mountain. Despite beginning our hike among blue skies, our trip to Scafell ended in the clouds. We were still able to appreciate occasional partial views into the valleys below neighboring peaks, but there were still plenty more expansive sights to enjoy on the return journey along this out-and-back route.
As steep as it gets: Approaching the summit.
The rocky Scafell Pike summit within misty cloud cover.
A hiker walking dogs at Angle Tarn.
Tangents:
• Official: National Trust
• Public Map at AllTrails: Langdale route
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
