Wasdale - Scafell Pike - Great End - Sty Head - Wasdale

Joe Jackson

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Wasdale - Scafell Pike - Great End - Esk Hause - Sty Head - Wasdale

Scafell Pike is the undisputed highest mountain in England and stands proudly at 3,210ft above the Wasdale and Ennerdale Valleys. The mountain is a busy place during the height of the season with trails of people trying to conquer England's greatest. This grand walk starts off in one of the most remote, drivable places in Lakeland; Wasdale Head. The tiny hamlet offers to the adventurer a good pub with rooms, an independant outdoor retailer, two campsites and two car parks.

The approach to Wasdale Head is worthy of note as you follow the small lakeside road along Wast Water, which is England's deepest lake. It's not the lake that draws the eye though, its the Wast Water Screes that plummet relentlessly into the depths of the lake. The scene is iconic and worth a five-minute stop to truly admire the dramatic scenery and from the same spot you can also admire Britain's Favourite View along the lake to Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Yewbarrow to the north-east. This walk starts off at the National Trust Car Park just before you enter the village proper. The car park is pay-and-display, but free to members. The ascent of Scafell Pike is very simple, following the 'tourist' route up the western side of the fell. The route is faily easy going but becomes much rockier underfoot as you gain height. On a clear day the view from the roof of England is spectacular and extends for miles around. It is unlikely that you will be alone at the top, but if you are, make the most of it!

From the summit of Scafell Pike the route traverses around the sides of Broad Crag and Ill Crag, both of which are subsidiary summits of the pike, then ascends to the top of Great End with superb views over to Great Gable and down Borrowdale. Esk Hause is the next stop which is a walkers' crossroads. The path you take descends to Sprinkling Tarn and then to Styhead Pass before a long descent along Moses Trod back to Wasdale Head.

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