Seathwaite - Scafell Pike - Seathwaite

David and Chris Stewart

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An absolutely classic ascent of England's highest peak via Styhead Tarn and the Corridor Route, returning via Esk Hause. The initial climb through the valley involves a little scrambling by an impressive waterfall. Just beyond Styhead Tarn you join the Corridor Route, which runs across the flanks of Great End and then makes a fairly direct ascent to the col just below Scafell Pike summit. A quick detour takes you to the top, where you should be rewarded with fantastic views.

Return to the col and go up and down for a short while along the ridge before dropping down to Esk Hause. Finally, turning off just before Sprinkling Tarn, there's an attractive descent by Grains Gill to Seathwaite.

Please note that this walk is graded as a 'Mountain Challenge'. Your navigation skills need to be up to scratch and all along the route you need to use your own map reading skills in conjunction with the instructions we provide. The sections on scree, rock and boulders near the summit call for sure-footedness.

There is some quite tricky scrambling on the Taylorgill Force section (which can be avoided) and on the Corridor Route (which cannot). If you are at all uncertain about finding your way on the scramble at Taylorgill Force then take the detour clearly visible on the map via Stockley Bridge and rejoin the route at waymark 4.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North West

Features

Cafe, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, River, Waterfall

6/9/2016 - Simon Stockton

Did this walk today and what a cracker! I don't manage to get to the Lake District that often but this was worth my detour from Arran on my way down South. Weather was lovely and warm though unfortunately the clouds were rolling in on the tops, so no amazing photos shots, plus the risk of thuderstorms I didn't stick around too long on the top. Great scrambling sections, although short do require a little confidence to tackle, but nothing too extreme. Scree slope was great fun, just don't follow the main route straight up it, instead look to your left for the obvious col. I can confirm that the farm no longer sell drinks / snacks etc...though it was a Thursday, things could change on the weekends.

9/25/2012 - andrew simpson

Did this Saturday 22nd Sept. Well enjoyable. Thought the scramble at the waterfall and corridor route was pretty easy and the scree ascent the most difficult part. Wonderful views and very good weather. Thanks for a great walk.

10/16/2010 - Philip Scott

Have recently completed this walk, personally I found navigation to be straight forward, although the route off from the summit could be easily missed if the weather has closed in. The route itself is very strenuous and there are sections of scrambling required, however, the views and scenery are spectacular and make the considerable effort to complete the walk well worthwhile.

8/31/2010 - Richard May

In "Additional Info" for this walk, it is described as "not a particularly difficult route". We did find this route particularly difficult with more scrambling than the text suggested, and there are far easier ways to Scafell Pike. The walk is fine, but less experienced walkers should avoid it.

8/31/2010 - Julie Ward

We tried to follow this walk yesterday, and along with three other separate groups of people all made the same mistakes and got lost, the directions are not clear around Taylorgill Force, and finding the corridor route wasn't what you would call easy - there was a lot of scrambling, and certainly shouldn't be described as "not difficult" - unfortunately not a promising start to using Walkingworld.com

1/20/2010 - Roger Gibbons

Done this walk many times and would agree that it is a walk you can go seriously wrong on. There are 2 problem areas; at Taylorgill Force, it is important to keep to the right and ascend the sloping rock slab under the holly, rather than try any detour to the left. Further along, on the corridor route, there is a rock step of about 5 ft which can be easily missed in descent leading to dangerous areas. However, if the weather is good, go for it - one of the very best days out in the Lakes.