Scafell Pike via Esk Hause
Come and join us for a fantastic 'tour de force' over Englands highest summit, Scafell Pike via Styhead Tarn and the Corridor Route, returning via Esk Hause
Starting at the head of Borrowdale, from Seathwaite Farm. This route passes the beautiful Sky Head Tarn, a perfect spot for our first stop looking down into glorious Wasdale, in the shadows of Great Gable. Working our way to the summit, the ascent is less than some of the classic horseshoe routes we offer, as it's just a steady up to the top, via the Corridor Route. The terrain can be extremely tricky in places and our guides are well practiced at giving confidence and tips on moving over this ground.
We meet the main route up from Wasdale, which can be busy, on the last section to the summit. During the busier parts of the route we all encourage each other and join the spirit and excitement of achieving this goal. It maybe busy at the top, but unless you request otherwise or the weather isn't too kind, it has to be 'Lunch On Top Of England' !
Our descent weaves around the boulder field passing Broad Crag, Ill Crag and Great End, covering some loose and quite steep ground, but be rest assured our guides will take you every step, literally, if required & in your own time, over this ground. For those who wish to tick a 2nd Wainwright, we can take a dogleg to Great End, before returning along an easier path with gradual descent to Esk Hause. There is also an option to tick Seathwaite fell (No 3) as a Wainwright on the final descent, or returning more directly via Grains Gill, this can decided during your walk.
We offer alternative routes starting at Wasdale Head, for an additional £20 (to cover the fuel for your guide). From Wasdale we can head up and down the easiest main path to the summit, or a longer option via Styhead Pass and up the Corridor Route.
£150 first walker + £30 each additional walker
Shorter and easier routes also available
Hiking Highs mountain guide Nicola took me to the top of Scafell Pike in early August to celebrate being 80. We traveled up to Seathwaite at the head of the Borrowdale valley to start from there. The walk went well up to Sty Head and the weather was lovely sunshine but not too hot. Then we entered the corridor route which didn’t disappoint, tremendous views in all directions with the overhanging crags picked out in sharp relief. We had lunch beside a hidden idilic pool off the main track with the panorama of Piers Gill and the huge buttress of Lingmell and then carried on up to the main track at the col, I was getting slower by this point and we had a long discussion if I was up for the final stretch to the summit, Nic offering easy alternatives. The main path was busy but Nic knew an unused alternative to the west offering fantastic views along Wastwater and on to the Irish Sea, unseen by almost everyone else. Well we got to the top and wow! I had done it. l had done it against grave doubts that I could, but never could have managed without Nic’s patient guidance and support.Thank you, I will never forget it.
Peter CorkhillAugust 2023
Distance
14km
Ascent
1100m
Duration
6-7hrs
Location
Borrowdale, Keswick
