Recommended Ordnance Survey Maps - Outdoor Leisure Map 4 - North Western Area & Outdoor Leisure Map 6 - South Western Area - (both 1:25,000)
Start and End Point - Seathwaite, South Borrowdale (NW235123). Free limited roadside parking.
Distance - 16.7 kilometres, 10.38 miles
Time - 8 hours (longer in winter and adverse weather)
Maximum Height Achieved - 3209 feet, 978 metres above sea level
Total Ascent - 4416 feet, 346 metres
Accommodation - Seatoller, Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite have hotels, B&B's and Inns including the Langstrath Country Hotel in Stonethwaite (Excellent for a beer afterwards!). There is a Youth Hostel in Borrowdale situated at Longthwaite. There are also several campsites in the area.
See Accommodation Guide
Public Transport -
By Rail - Stations at Windermere and Penrith
By Bus - Summer Service (May - October)- Daily Services from Keswick to Seatoller available with the last bus back at 18:10 from Seatoller. Winter services (November - April) run 5 times daily excluding Sundays. Check with Keswick Tourist Information Office before setting out.
Tourist Information Office - 017687 72645.
The description and pictures are from August 31st 1998. The day began in Seathwaite with strong gusting winds and an overcast sky; fairly normal for the August Bank holiday. As the height was gained the conditions grew worse, although the rain held off. Scafell was a whiteout in the thick mist (hence no pictures here), with a gale force wind that pushed your every step. As is normal in the lakes, the afternoon brought clearer skies whilst the winds dropped.
This walk was my very first. Aged 17 years old, I was given the walking 'bug' by Eddie Nutter, a senior accountant where I worked at PF Pierce & Co, in Accrington. That day, we ascended Scafell by Westwall Traverse, after bagging my very first Lakeland Mountain - Lingmell. This walk started me walking on a regular basis, mainly in the Lakes, and has given me the benchmark for which I measure all walks.
The walk involves a scramble up Lords Rake, and another down beyond Foxes Tarn. There is no simple route up Scafell from the starting point. The scrambles are sheltered though and there is very little feeling of exposure. If the route up past Taylorgill Force gives you trouble, avoid Scafell and concentrate just on bagging Scafell Pike.
As you will see, the pictures from Seathwaite up to Styhead are from the Great Gable walk.
The scrambles, together with the knowledge that you have bagged the two highest mountains in England make this walk a 'must do'! Scafell Pike is, in my opinion one of the less interesting mountains of the Lake District, whilst Scafell is one of the most interesting. The views from both, however are stunning. Most people tend, as we did today, to ignore Lingmell. If the weather is good, make the effort to bag this peak; the views of Great Gable are well worth the small detour.
Many thanks to my companions for the day; Lee Ashworth and Paul Belsten.
Please note that Lord's Rake has had a rockfall in early 2004. Please take extreme care before thinking about this ascent. Check here for news - The Wasdale Web
P.S. All photographs are point and click. Click on them for a larger, more detailed image.
Map
There is only limited roadside parking, so an early start is recommended if you need to park a car.
Head South towards Seathwaite Farm. Turn right at the gate and through the farm buildings toward the stream. Cross the bridge and immediately turn left (South) through the gate. Continue to head south along the grassy, sometimes muddy path. The path gently turns right (South West) and the walk begins in earnest. The path climbs steeply and requires the use of hands in places, although it is reasonably easy to negotiate. Some may find the drop on the left to be of concern although, with care, the ascent is straightforward. The path affords good views of Taylorgill Waterfall and also the valley below. Go through the gate and continue.
The path is flanked to the left with a fence, and meanders through a wooded area before opening out at Styhead Gill. Both paths up from Seathwaite meet at the stream. The stream is superbly structured as it flows down from Styhead towards Taylorgill Force. It collects in the many rock pools then cascades along its rocky route, through an occasional waterfall down towards Seathwaite and beyond. The source of the stream, Styhead Tarn is soon reached. The tarn is often flanked by tents, mainly in the Duke of Edinburgh season, but provides a good point for photographs.
Continue (South West) beyond the tarn for 500 metres and the mountain rescue point will be reached. This is a good point to take stock and admire the views. To the East and Southeast the corridor route can be seen ascending up towards Lingmell and the Lakeland giants.
There are a couple of ways to the beginning of the Corridor Route. The main path (East) up to Sprinkling Tarn could be used, before cutting right (South) via Spout Head to Skew Gill. Another way, is to head directly to Skew Gill (South West) over a lesser path (as shown in the above photo). Either way brings you to the incredible gorge that marks the start of the Corridor Route. Cross Skew Gill and head South along the steady climb towards Lingmell Col. Pass Stand Crag, then Criscliffe Knotts with Lingmell Col in the distance.
The path brings you to the head of the amazing Piers Gill, one of the most incredible gorges in the Lake District. Go past and head on up to Lingmell Col. It is here where a few choices can be made. Lingmell lies to the North and affords the best view of Great Gable there is. A wonderful mountain to bag now that you are here. Once done, return back to this same spot and make yet another choice!
If Taylorgill Force proved daunting, it may be better to refrain from tackling Lords Rake and head South before joining the main path (South West) to the summit of Scafell Pike
If Scafell is the aim, then take a map reading and set the compass. Head South West, then South above Hollow Stones and around Scafell Pike. The path here is rocky and very difficult to see in places. Once around Scafell Pike though, the bearing is obvious and possibly even daunting. The screes leading up to Mickledore also lead to the entrance of Lords Rake. Head up the screes as best as you can, with the intention of finishing at the opening of the buttress to your right. The going is tough and steep. Two steps gained, one step lost and the best cardiovascular workout of the day. The first photograph of Lords Rake and the screes up to Mickledore show the gradient quite clearly. Notice the relief path on the left to Mickledore, if you do not fancy Lords Rake
The second photograph shows the gradient of the first and most daunting rise (there are three in all) of Lords Rake. Notice the second person way up in the distance (Lee Ashworth). The third photograph, from the top of the first rise just shows the start of Westwall Traverse behind the head of Paul Belsten. The Traverse provides protection, but is exposed to the left. It finishes with a little scramble up to the plateau of Scafell. If you wish to carry along Lords Rake, carry straight on over the second rise (fourth picture). We then turned left here (South East) up Symonds Knott (fifth picture). It is no more daunting up here than already experienced. Near the top (carrying straight on!), there is a scramble over a large boulder. There is also a climb up a gully to the right, which looked frightening, that we did not explore. Once on the plateau of the summit, turn right (South West) and grab the well earned summit. It was at this point, that the conditions were at their worst. It was almost impossible to stand straight with the gale force winds and even harder to see anything. I would like nothing more to describe the view of the surrounding fells, but all I saw was a pair of familiar size 9 Scarpa's!
From the summit, begin the descent by heading back North East, before turning right (South East) after 120 metres down the screes to Foxes Tarn. Carrying straight on will take you to Broad Stand, from which I once saw a helicopter rescue whilst taking a breather on the summit of Scafell Pike.
Carry on down past Foxes Tarn on the path, then head along the same path North East. A rocky scramble down is soon encountered and the trickle of a stream coats the rocks making them slippery. Carry on down and pick up the steep path North West underneath Broad Stand to Mickledore.
The first photograph shows a climber try in vain to clamber up Broad Stand. The second shows Lords Rake from Mickledore, whilst the third shows the summit of Scafell Pike and blue skies for the first time during the day. From Mickledore, head North East up to the summit of England's highest peak. Before setting off on this leg, be sure to take a compass bearing in bad weather. Scafell is extremely confusing and difficult to negotiate in mist. Being the highest peak makes it one of the most popular. It also has one of the highest accident rates, probably due to the vast number of ill-prepared walkers making the ascent, rather than any danger it offers. I find it one of the most boring hills in the Lakes but, being the highest, it deserves respect.
From the summit, head North West towards Broad Crag down towards a saddle. The saddle offers great views of Lingmell and Great Gable with Piers Gill in the foreground.
Ascend Broad Crag before dropping down towards Great End (North East). Choose the path that forks right (East) instead of the one that climbs Great End. Carry on along the heading for 800 metres before arriving at a crossroads. Turn left (North West) and arrive at another crossroads after 300 metres. Turn left again (North West) towards Sprinkling Tarn and under the face of Great End to your left.
The first photograph shows the path that could take you down to Sprinkling Tarn, if followed. In the distance, directly following the line of the path, lies Windy Gap; the saddle that links Great Gable and Green Gable. The second photograph looks back at the path from the head of Ruddy Gill. When at this intersection, turn right and head (North East) to yet another spectacular gorge. The path turns North and takes you from the spectacular Ruddy Gill towards Grains Gill. Cross the footbridge and progress through Grains Gill alongside Seathwaite Fell. Cross Stockley Bridge and head North along the well maintained path to Seathwaite farm. Go through the farm gate towards the farmyard. On the right is a small welcoming cafe with tables inside as well as out. I can honestly recommend a refreshing pot of tea. A tremendous way to end a wonderful day's walking.
This walk and pictures are protected by copyright©. Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without the prior permission of the author. If you wish to use this document, then click the contact link on teh main pages. I would also like to hear your comments and thoughts. If you use this document for your walk please give me feedback (good or bad). If you have very good quality photographs and a good narrative and want them on these pages, contact me also.
If you would like to advertise your products on these pages, please click the contact link on the main pages.
Author - Antony Towers - 28 October 1998. I hope you enjoy this walk either virtually or in reality as much as I did. However, do not blame me if you get lost or have an accident. Your safety is your responsibility. Always use a map, compass and be equipped for the conditions. These guides are intended as a preview or review and are purely for pleasure. They are by no means an alternative to a map or compass. Conditions can change very quickly, especially at altitude. Check the weather conditions before setting off and always be prepared for mother nature.
Use your browser's BACK button to return to Virtual Walker Directory
Alternatively, you can go to the main page here