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- Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head
Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England and by far our most popular route.
The route climbing Scafell Pike from Wasdale is by far the shortest route up Scafell Pike and although the paths are steep they are generally well made.
Summits included on this route:
Lingmell800 metres / 2625 feet
Scafell Pike978 metres / 3209 feet
A wonderful route climbing the highest mountain in England. The walk begins at the Wasdale Head Inn at the head of the valley, an area steeped in mountaineering history, the Fell & Rock Climbing Club was formed in the Inn and some of the earliest rock climbs were recorded on some of the huge crags surrounding the head of the valley.
From Wasdale Head we climb by Brown Tongue path to the summit of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
From Scafell Pike we descend over Lingmell, following the western shoulder of Lingmell back down to the valley and the Wasdale Head Inn.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Wasdale Head Inn
Postcode: CA20 1EX
Grid Reference: NY 186 087
Directions
Gosforth can easily be found on the A595 road south of Egremont (An easy drive south from Cockermouth and Workington). Follow the road through the village, turning left as the road forks on the High Street.
Follow this road taking the left hand fork (avoiding Nether Wasdale) and follow the road signs for Wasdale Head and Wastwater.
When a junction is reached near the lake (Wastwater) turn left and follow this lane past the end of the lake until after two sharp bends a car park is seen on the right of the road, a short distance away from the Wasdale Head Inn. Park here and we will meet outside the Wasdale Head Inn.
Bus Services
There are no bus services to Wasdale Head.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:
Summer Events:
(November - March)
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
Winter Events:
(April - October)
- Walking Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
- Snow Goggles
- Gaiters
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
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Scafell Pike from Wasdale Review by Katie Barnes
Overall Experience Our group of 4 had a lovely walk up Scafell Pike from Wasdale and back down via Lingmell. We would have come back the way we had came but our guide took us back via a different route (Lingmell) which offered additional and as stunning views over Derwent Water, the surrounding valleys and Wast Water. Our guide Robert was really friendly and very easy company and his dog Otto who he brought along was very entertaining and lovely to have with us also. Robert was full of interesting knowledge about the area and many others areas too which made it really interesting to boot. Thanks so much for a great day. The weather luckily for us was perfect too, not to warm and lots of sunshine we could see for miles at the top. (Posted on 28/06/2024)
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Scafell pike Review by Steve Fryer
Overall Experience Had the most amazing experience on the Scafell pike walk yesterday with John and my fellow walkers plus Libby the gorgeous Labrador.It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done.....no it was the hardest thing I have ever done! But wow the pride and sense of achievement will last a long long time. John was marvellous ,sympathetic to the needs and abilities of all the party and very knowledgeable about all things Lake District.Thanks again (Posted on 28/06/2024)
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excellent ***** Review by DAWN
Overall Experience Had a great walk with our guide Neil whose knowledge of the area was second to none. Nice pace up Scarfell Pike with well timed breaks particularly loved the views from the top of Lingmell. I would recommend this guided walk to anyone wanting the challenge of Scarfell Pike. Many many thanks (Posted on 26/07/2017)
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Scafell Pike Review by Cathie
Overall Experience Hi John
A massive thank you for your brilliant guiding today on our Scafell Pike journey.
You were a total superstar.
We can't thank you enough for your professionalism, expertise, kindness and encouragement.
We also managed to find the pub in Ennerdale, a great recommendation.
See you again.
Cathie, Chris, Dawn and Franny (Posted on 18/07/2017) -
Amazing day Review by Cathie
Overall Experience A brilliant day, John helped our group achieve our goal of getting to the summit of Scafell Pike. He was helpful, attentive, knowledgeable and professional through the day. Superb! (Posted on 16/07/2017)
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Excellent guide and walk Review by Eva
Overall Experience John guided we three urban women up Scafell Pike from Wasdale and back down to Langdale (Old Dungeon Ghyll). He was courteous, very informative and even more patient as we toiled our way over boulders in heavy mist/rain. A fantastic day's walking for which we were very glad to have John's good natured companionship and direction. He taught us the importance of expert navigation and we're planning to join the navigation course next year before our next attempt of Scafell Pike. (Posted on 20/05/2017)
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Scafell Pike on Sunday Review by Kath Hannabus
Overall Experience My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our group trek with John to the summit of Scafell Pike on Sunday, 19 September. (Posted on 26/09/2016)
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Sunny September Walk Review by Leanne
Overall Experience Many thanks to John for the guide up and down Scafell Pike.
We had glorious sunshine and the views were breathtaking!
John has great knowledge of the area and has lots of info he is willing to share.
Well worth booking! (Posted on 06/09/2016) -
One of the best days of my life Review by keith
Overall Experience Many thanks John and your team. From the mirror calm of Wast Water through the climb up Scafell Pike and gentle descent via Lingmell the day, for me, was truly astonishing. Neil was patient, kind, knowledgeable and inclusive. Having had a kidney transplant and a hip replacement I wasnt sure how tricky it would be...but we went slow and steady, at my pace and the day turned out to be vastly better than I coukd have ever imagined. Please pass my thanks on to Neil as well.
I strongly recommend this trip to anyone who can walk 10-15km on the flat and has a bit of determination. (Posted on 29/05/2016) -
80th birthday trek up Scafell Pike Review by Richard Baggott
Overall Experience Hello John
Very many thanks for making it possible for me to celebrate my 80th
birthday with a trek up Scafell Pike. James was a superb guide, very
knowledgeable and informative, helpful and caring at every stage. I
found the soft snow section on the third quarter of the climb a bit hard
going but the crampons provided for the firmer snow of the final quarter
made things much easier. The snow and ice formations were fascinating
and beautiful.
Despite our earlier fears the weather could not have been more perfect
and the crystal clear views of the surrounding peaks in their "winter
dress" were stunning. I could not have had a more perfect birthday
treat. Do pass on my thanks once more to James. I attach a few photo's
including one of sunset reflections in Wast Water as we drove past at
the end of the day. Perfect finish to the whole experience! (Posted on 14/03/2016)
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Questions:
Question:
What is the minimum age for children on this event?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.
As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Question:
What happens if the weather is bad?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.
Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks, should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund
Question:
Are dogs allowed on this walk?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Monday, 18 September 2017
Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walks.
However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walk, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
There are sections of this walk across rough ground and boulders and as such this walk may not be suitable for all dogs.
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