Scafell, Three Peaks

Three Peaks Challenge : Scafell Pike 978m

Scafell is located in the western area of the Lake District National Park and is mostly owned by the National Trust. During the summer months, Scafell and the surrounding area becomes very busy with visitors, many car parks and facilities becoming full to capacity. Access roads into the area are small, mostly single track, and can quickly become congested. Take this into account when planning dates for your challenge.
There are two main approaches for three peaks challenges, from Seathwaite, or via Wasdale Head.

Three Peaks Challenge homepage

Ben Nevis

Snowdon

Scafell may surprise walkers with its rocky and rugged paths, becoming very steep and unrelenting towards the top. Lower paths are well defined and gentle, but don't be fooled into relaxing your navigation. The Pike is very often covered by mist, the rocky plateau around the top can disorientate weary walkers. Extra care should be taken underfoot when descending to save ankle and knee problems. Walking poles may be useful for anyone who suffers with leg problems on steep, rough descents.

Scafell summit area map

Route from Wasdale
From the car park at Wasdale Head, head south on the tarmac road to the style/gate and bridleway and footpath signs. Follow the footpath through a field to cross a river on the footbridge. Gentle uphill path right, to path junction at Lingmell Gill. Left uphill, through gate and continue uphill by the gill. Cross river and climb more steeply past Brown Tongue. Bear left on the main path here. The route via Mickledore is subject to serious errosion and should be avoided for this challenge. At Lingmell Col bear right for the final climb to the summit.

Route from Seathwaite.
From parking in the lane, quietly go through the farm and follow the main path easily to Stockley Bridge. Cross the bridge and continue along the path into Styhead Gill, more steeply now. From the mountain rescue kit at Sty Head, bear left then turn right onto the Corridor Route, through the crags to Lingmell Col. Bear left here for the final climb to the top.

This area is covered by the Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 6 map, English Lakes South West Sheet, Wast Water and Coniston. (1:25,000)

Please consider the following advice if using Wasdale : Use services on the M6 for toilets and topping up water supplies before proceeding to Wasdale. The toilets at Wasdale campsite are for private use by the campers. There are no public toilets. Water supplies are not from a mains feed, but are brought in by tanker and are quickly exhausted. Keep noise to a minimum, especially at night. Don't use passing places to park.

Dave Price, John Morris and Richie Evered at the top of Scafell, Fire Service Challenge, 1998.

Walking times, as a rough guide, you should be aiming to achieve these times on the mountain -

From Wasdale : 2 hours climb, 1 hour descent.
From Seathwaite : 2.5 hours climb, 1.5 hours descent.

Mobile phone coverage, we found the coverage offered by BT Cellnet to be sufficient on Scafell, between Wasdale Head and most points on the mountain.

The nearest phones for emergency use are Wasdale Head Hotel, Nether Wasdale, and Seathwaite.

Scafell Area Map

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Multi Media Mapping.