Every year, thousands attempt to walk up Scafell Pike. Most take the ‘easy route’ from Wasdale, but there are several ways to reach the summit. Here are the 5 best routes up Scafell Pike, along with the pros and cons of each.
By: Mark Barnes | Last Updated:
Scafell Pike is England’s highest mountain, and every year, hundreds of thousands of people set out to stand on its summit. Many of whom are attempting the National Three Peaks Challenge, alongside Ben Nevis and Snowdon.
But “Scafell Pike” isn’t a single walk. It’s a mountain with at least five genuinely different ways up, starting from four separate valleys, each with its own character, difficulty, and views.
Choose the wrong one for your fitness or your timeframe, and you’ll have a miserable slog. Choose the right one, and it’s one of the best mountain days in England.
We’ve climbed Scafell Pike more times than we can count, from every direction, in everything from clear blue skies to driving rain and cloud.
This guide breaks down the five best routes, with distances, ascent, timings, and an honest pros and cons list for each — plus our recommended circular descent, so you’re not just retracing your steps back down.
If you just want the quickest way up and down, skip to Wasdale via the Easy Route. If you’ve got a full day and want the best walk on the mountain, go straight to our favourite: the Corridor Route from Seathwaite.
Overview of the Routes
There are five well-established routes to the summit of Scafell Pike, starting from 4 different valleys: Wasdale, Borrowdale, Eskdale, and Great Langdale.
None of them are easy. Every route involves at least 3,000ft (915m) of ascent over rugged mountain terrain, and route-finding can be genuinely difficult in poor visibility — this isn’t a walk to underestimate regardless of which path you take.
The table below gives you the key numbers for each: distance, ascent, and one-way time. Times are indicative only, as pace varies hiker to hiker, but they’re a reliable guide to each route’s relative length and effort.
| Start | Route | Distance (1-way) | Ascent | Time (1-way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Wasdale | Easy Route | 2.6m (4.2km) | 3000 ft | 2h 50m |
| 2 – Seathwaite | Corridor Route | 4.7m (7.6km) | 3105 ft | 3h 45m |
| 3 – Eskdale | Little Narrowcove | 5.6m (9km) | 3175 ft | 4h 15m |
| 4 – Great Langdale | Rossett Gill | 5.8m (9.3km) | 3380 ft | 4h 30m |
| 5 – Wasdale Head | Moses Trod | 4.5m (7.65km) | 3200 ft | 3h 45m |
Which Route Should You Choose
With five great routes to the summit, the right route depends less on which is “best” and more on what kind of day you want. Here is a brief overview before we delve into more detail below.
For the shortest, quickest route, choose Wasdale via the Easy Route. At 2.6 miles and under 3 hours one-way, it’s the fastest way to the top. Ideal if you’re short on time, tackling the Three Peaks Challenge, or want a more manageable day out.
For the single best walk on the mountain choose the Corridor Route from Seathwaite. It’s longer and needs a bit more care with navigation, but the views and terrain are unmatched. This is the one we’d choose if we could only do Scafell Pike once.
To escape the crowds entirely choose Eskdale via Little Narrowcove. It’s remote, it’s long, and it’s rarely busy. Best suited to experienced hikers comfortable with a full day in the mountains.
For the biggest challenge choose Great Langdale via Rossett Gill. It’s the longest route with the most ascent, and can be extended over Esk Pike and Bow Fell for two more Wainwrights.
For public transport both the Seathwaite and Great Langdale routes are reachable by bus from Keswick and Ambleside.
Map: Scafell Pike Walking Routes
The lines on the map below show the different walking routes up Scafell Pike, including alternative descents to create a great circular hike.
- Blue – Scafell Pike from Wasdale via the Easy Route
- Red – Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via Corridor Route
- Brown – Scafell Pike from Eskdale via Little Narrowcove
- Purple – Scafell Pike from Langdale via Rossett Gill
- Orange – Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head via Moses Trod
Please note that the routes marked are indicative, especially when the trails head over rocky summits and ledges.
We have included links to more detailed OS Maps in the sections below.
Click on the top right corner to open our map in your Google Maps app. Click the star next to the title to save it to your Google account.
5 Best Walking Routes up Scafell Pike
1. Scafell Pike from Wasdale via the Easy Route
- Start – Wasdale Lakehead
- Route – Easy Route
- Distance – 2.6 miles (4.2km) one way
- Ascent – 3,000 ft (915m)
- Walking Time – 2 hours, 50 minutes
- Map – OS Map
Who for? — The quickest and easiest route up Scafell Pike, this is the best route for anyone wanting to conquer England’s highest mountain in the easiest way possible, including most Three Peaks Challenge attempts.
This is the fastest and easiest Scafell Pike route, but not the most interesting. Known locally as the “Tourist Route,” it’s the one most people use for the National Three Peaks Challenge, thanks to its short distance and direct line to the summit.
It begins in Wasdale, a remote and stunning valley on the northern shores of Wastwater, which has some of the best views in the Lake District.
The path leaves from the Wasdale Lakehead National Trust Car Park and heads along Lingmell Gill before bearing left and rising over Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones to Lingmell Col.
Much of the route is a steady slog up a gravel path. From Lingmell Col, the last half mile becomes increasingly rocky, making it important to place your foot carefully, but there is nothing technical or too difficult.
This is the most popular route up Scafell Pike, so the path is well-cairned and easy to see, even in mist.
The one spot to watch for: as the trail crests the shoulder above Brown Tongue and reaches Hollow Stones, the path forks. Keep left here — the straight-ahead option heads for Mickledore, which is a much steeper and trickier way to the summit and not part of this route.
There’s little rest along the route, and the view back towards Wastwater and Wasdale Head rarely changes. But you’ll be at the top in under 3 hours.
Alternative Circular Return
It is easy enough to return the way you came, but for a more adventurous and interesting descent, head down the Corridor Route and then Moses Trod back to Wasdale.
You can find all the details on our Scafell Easy Route post.
Where to Have a Pint?
End the day at the Wasdale Head Inn for a well-deserved pint.
Easy Route Pros
- No real scrambling or use of hands
- Views over Wastwater on the way to Wasdale
- Easiest and quickest ascent
- Navigation is pretty simple
Easy Route Cons
- Wasdale is remote and takes time to get to
- The path and views are the least interesting
- Parking can be tricky, arrive before 8:30
- This route can get very crowded
2. Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via Corridor Route
- Start – Seathwaite
- Route – Corridor Route
- Distance – 4.7 miles (7.5km)
- Ascent – 3,105 ft ascent (945m)
- Walking Time – 3 hours, 45 minutes
- Map – OS Map
Who for? — As the best and most interesting walking route up Scafell Pike, this is a much longer hike, but it is well worth the extra effort.
It’s not just our favourite route up Scafell Pike, but one of our favourite walks in the Lake District.
The walk offers a great mix of wonderful, ever-changing views and an interesting, yet not too challenging, path.
It begins in Seathwaite near the valley of Borrowdale and ambles alongside the River Derwent to charming Stockley Bridge. From there, it climbs over a grassy shoulder to Sty Head, home to a pretty tarn set amongst an amphitheatre of rocky crags.
Next comes the official Corridor Route, an excellent trail that connects a series of grassy mountain shelves amidst a rocky landscape of towering bluffs and wrinkled gullies.
You’ll need to use your hands a couple of times — at a short scramble known as “the bad step” roughly halfway to Sty Head, and again on a short descent down Skew Gill. Neither takes more than a minute, and no technical skill is required.
The route is easy to follow, except for small sections of the Corridor Route, where you should be careful as you navigate around the ghylls (ravines) — particularly at the bad step and Skew Gill mentioned above.
It’s a couple of miles longer than the route from Wasdale, but it’s worth every extra step.
You can find a more detailed description of the walk in our Scafell Pike Corridor Route guide.
Alternative Circular Return
You can return the way you came, but it’s better to complete a circular route by boulder hopping over Broad Crag to Esk Hause, then descending via Grains Gill, a lovely little ravine dotted with waterfalls, to Seathwaite.
On a hot day, take the short detour to Sprinkling Tarn. One of the highest tarns in the area, it’s one of the best (but coldest) wild swims in the Lake District.
If you return via Grains Gill, the total time will be around 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Where to Have a Pint?
Congratulate yourself at the Langstrath Country Inn in Stonethwaite, a couple of miles’ drive from Seathwaite.
Seathwaite via Corridor Route Pros
- Extremely varied and interesting path
- Up close views of mighty crags and deep ravines
- Wild swimming opportunities in Sty Head Tarn and Sprinkling Tarn
- Excellent circular route with almost no repetition
- Can be reached via public transport from Keswick
Seathwaite via Corridor Routecons
- Care is required when navigating, especially in misty conditions
- The ‘bad step’ and Skew Gill require a bit of scrambling
3. Scafell Pike from Eskdale via Little Narrowcove
- Start – Eskdale
- Route – Little Narrowcove
- Distance – 5.6 miles (9km)
- Ascent – 3,175 ft (970m)
- Walking Time – 4 hours, 15 minutes
- Map – OS Map
Who for? — A long but extremely peaceful walking route up Scafell Pike, this is good for more experienced hikers looking for an escape from the crowds.
Eskdale is the most remote valley in the Lake District, and getting here, driving over the steep hairpin bends of Hardknott Pass, can be tricky.
But the rewards are an escape from the crowds and a rugged, untouched landscape surrounded by four of the six highest peaks in the Lakes. On the handful of times we’ve done this route, we’ve passed only a few other walkers all day — a rarity anywhere near Scafell Pike.
The trail begins near Boot and winds alongside the Esk River, gradually at first, before crossing over Lingcove Bridge and slowly ascending to the Great Moss. This wonderful flat expanse of grass ends at the imposing, sheer, rocky face of Scafell Pike.
It’s so vertical there appears no way up, but a tiny path up Little Narrowcove climbs steeply (1,500 feet in under a mile) and arduously up to Broad Crag Col, from where it follows a rock-strewn path to the summit.
At 5.6 miles, it is a long walk up Scafell Pike. Although the walk along the River Esk is beautiful, the slog up Little Narrowcove is steep and unrelenting, lasting about an hour.
Navigation is relatively straightforward on a clear day, but finding your way up Little Narrowcove can be awkward in the cloud.
After rain, the Great Moss can be boggy, and crossing the River Esk can be tricky — on some days you may need to take your boots off and wade across. Bear this in mind if you’re not keen on a wet-footed start to a long day.
Alternative Circular Return
One of the bonuses of this route is that you can descend back to Eskdale on a completely different path. Head down via the southern side of Mickledore then around Cam Spout Crag and over Heron Crag to where you started.
The entire circuit takes about 8 hours and is a challenging 12-mile mountain climb, requiring a good level of fitness.
If you enjoy wild swimming, do the route in reverse and on the way down, take a dip in the pools of the River Esk, some of the most beautiful places to swim in the Lake District.
Where to Have a Pint?
Drive to the Woolpack Inn in the village of Boot, which is an 8-minute drive away from the trailhead.
Eskdale via Little Narrowcove Pros
- Excellent circular route with no repetition
- Very few people use this route and it’s never crowded
- Dramatic views up to Scafell Pike from Great Moss
- Wild swimming in Pots of River Esk
Eskdale via Little Narrowcove Cons
- Very long and tiring day in the mountains
- Steep slog up Little Narrowcove or Mickledore
- Great Moss can be boggy after rain and may require wading
- Takes time to reach remote Eskdale
4. Scafell Pike from Great Langdale via Rossett Gill
- Start – Great Langdale New Dungeon Ghyll
- Route – Rossett Gill
- Distance – 5.8 miles (9.3km)
- Ascent – 3,380 ft (1,030m)
- Walking Time – 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Map – OS Map
Who for? — With the longest distance and highest ascent of the five routes — over 1,000 metres from valley floor to summit — this is the one for experienced hikers looking for the biggest physical challenge.
Great Langdale is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Lake District. A patchwork of fields surrounded by grassy flanks and knobbly mountain tops, this U-shaped valley provides some of the best views in the Lake District.
It’s a stunning place to start a walk up Scafell Pike.
The path begins at the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub, a traditional watering hole for hardy hikers. The first mile and a half is easy, level walking up Mickleden in the Langdale Valley. It then steepens and ascends over 1,000ft up rocky Rossett Gill in under a mile.
The next section is over a grass shelf (with two descents and ascents) to Esk Hause, where it joins a very rocky path (requiring a bit of easy scrambling/boulder hopping) up and down over Broad Crag to the summit.
This is the hardest way up Scafell Pike as it is both the longest and has over 1,000 metres of ascent. But it’s a wonderful route with four very distinct sections.
The views change regularly as the path cuts its way between mighty mountains.
The path is well-marked and generally easy to follow. Although care is needed clambering over the large rocks near the summit, which is tucked away for most of the walk, and makes a wonderful surprise as you make the final approach.
Alternative Circular Return
Apart from the physical challenge, the only other real downside is that the best route back to Langdale is via the same way you came, taking about 8 hours round trip.
If you want a bigger challenge, return via the summits of Esk Pike and Bow Fell before descending The Bands back to Great Langdale.
This adds almost 1,000 ft (300m) of ascent, and is not to be undertaken lightly. However, it’s a great way to bag a couple more Wainwrights. The total walk will be around 8 hours and 45 minutes.
Where to Have a Pint?
Join the harder hikers at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale for a well-earned pint after the walk.
Great Langdale via Rossett Gill Pros
- Central and easy to reach trailhead
- Interesting path with ever-changing views
- Old hiker’s pub for a pint at the end
- Can be reached by public transport from Ambleside
- The most rewarding circular option for confident hikers wanting extra peaks
Great Langdale via Rossett Gill Cons
- The longest route with the most ascent
- No short circular option — the full loop via Esk Pike and Bow Fell adds significant extra distance and height
5. Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head via Moses Trod
- Start – Wasdale Head
- Route – Moses Trod
- Distance – 4.5 miles (7.25km)
- Ascent – 3,200 ft ascent (975m)
- Walking Time – 3 hours, 45 minutes
- Map – OS Map
Who for? — Anyone who wants a taste of the excellent Corridor Route without committing to the longer round trip from Seathwaite.
This route up Scafell Pike is a good mix, neither too long nor too uninteresting — it’s the route we’d point to if you want the Corridor Route’s best scenery on a shorter day.
It starts slightly further up the valley than the main Wasdale car park, at Wasdale Head.
Beginning at Wasdale Head, the path heads up Moses Trod alongside Lingmell Beck (not Lingmell Gill, which the Wasdale route above follows), passing under the mighty face of Great Gable as it gradually climbs to Sty Head. Here, the trail bends right and follows the attractive Corridor Route as it climbs to the summit.
The path up Moses Trod to Sty Head is straightforward and easy to follow. Once you join the Corridor Route, the same care is needed as on Route 2 — particularly around the gullies and ravines it crosses — but nothing beyond a steady head and sensible footing.
Alternative Circular Return
The easiest descent comes down the Easy Route via Hollow Stones and Brown Tongue. It can be tough on the knees, but it’s all over pretty quickly, and the Wasdale Head Inn brings solace to tired limbs.
Where to Have a Pint?
End the day at the Wasdale Head Inn for a well-deserved pint.
Wasdale Head via Moses Trod Pros
- Views over Wastwater before the hike
- Makes use of the lovely Corridor Route
- A quick descent means the walk is not too long
- Having a pint at the Wasdale Head Inn
Wasdale Head via Moses Trod Cons
- The descent is quick but not as interesting as other walks
- Wasdale is remote and can take time to reach
- Parking in Wasdale can be tricky in summer
Practical Information for Scafell Pike
Paul and I have hiked Scafell Pike several times over the years. Here is some additional information to help you prepare to conquer England’s highest mountain.
Scafell Pike Summit
The summit is marked by a trig point and a large circular shelter which doubles as a war memorial to Lake District men killed in the First World War.
The summit itself is relatively featureless; a mass of grey, rocky boulders with paths heading off in every direction.
On a clear day, the views are breathtaking.
To the south, the River Esk cuts through the tufty grass of the Great Moss. To the west is the rocky face of Scafell and the green fields of Wasdale Valley.
To the north is the imposing peak of Great Gable. To the east is the triangular summit of Bow Fell and much of the rest of the Lake District.
Even on a clear day, it can be easy to lose your bearings, but on a cloudy day, it can be very disorientating. Before descending, take time to use your compass or online map and make sure you are heading back on the correct path. We’ve been up here ten or more times, and on a cloudy day, it’s still very easy to make a mistake.
Safety Tips
Many of the valleys where the walks start have poor mobile reception. Make sure you have any downloadable maps on your phone and a spare power bank before you set off.
There are no facilities on any route. Take enough food and drink with you and be sure to have a waterproof and warm clothes. The weather can change quickly.
Boots or shoes with a good grip are advisable, especially if you boulder-hop over the summit or descend via Mickledore.
Weather Forecasts
The weather can change quickly in the mountains and the temperature at the summit is much cooler than at the base.
We use Mountain Forecast , which allows you to toggle between the base forecast and the summit forecast. You’ll see that the temperature could be a good 6-8 degrees cooler at the top.
Where to Stay
Driving between the different valleys around Scafell Pike takes a long time. Eskdale to Seathwaite can take 1 hour and 40 minutes. Wasdale Head to Great Langdale takes even longer.
So, it’s important to stay somewhere near the start of the route up Scafell Pike that you want to take.
You can find all our recommendations, split by area, in where to stay in the Lake District.
No Car? No Problem
While it’s easier to get to the starting points of these hikes by car there are a couple that are relatively easy by public transport.
You could stay in Keswick (read our guide to visiting Keswick), get the bus to Seatoller (30 minutes) and walk the Corridor Route from Seathwaite. Or stay in Ambleside, get the bus to Old Dungeon Ghyll (30 minutes) and hike the route from Great Langdale.
We have more information on what you can do and where to stay if you’re visiting the Lake District without a car.
More Lake District Walking Guides
- Check out all our favourite walks in the Lake District
- Find the best areas to stay for your hiking trip.
- Choose from the 5 different routes up Scafell Pike
- Or pick the best and hike Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route
- For a quicker option, take the easy route up Scafell Pike
- Test yourself by scrambling Helvellyn via Striding Edge
- For a more challenging scramble try Blencathra via Sharp Edge
- Our favourite walking route up the Langdale Pikes.
- Want more than a day hike? Try our 3-5 day Lake District hike
- For remote scrambling and hiking, choose Wasdale Head.
reader-supported
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Thanks for your support // Paul & Mark
We met several people on the corridor route who thought they could rely on their GPS to guide them, only fo find out it didn’t work. They were really happy when they found us, with a compass and your maps and directions. Also their is no signal for mobiles, even in Seathwaite but if you bring change (60p minimum charge), there is a phone booth on the farm.
Hi Guylaine, Glad it all worked out well and you could help some other people. Next time we update the post we will add your information about phone signal. Thanks a lot for info. Mark