Scafell Pike down by Sprinkling Tarn

Dog-friendly circular walk to Scafell Pike and going down by Sprinkling Tarn. Scafell Pike is the highest summit in England. View from the top is incredible.

Technical sheet

n°29870687
A Wasdale walk posted on 12/01/23 by Our Lake District Escapades. Last update : 08/02/23
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.64 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 6h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 946 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 940 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 968 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 68 m
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View from top of Scafell Pike

Description

Start: National Trust Wasdale Car Park for Scafell Pike, Seascale (CA20 1EX) Grid ref. NY 182 074

(S/E) Exit the car park to join Dalegarth Cottages road (East). Cross Lingmell Gill river (South-East), then take left on the path following the river. Continue straight on the main path until reaching another bridge.

(1) Cross the river, take right on the path (East) to continue following the river (river should now be on your right hand side) for around 1.5 Km. Continue along this main path until reaching a cairn and intersection of paths.

(2) Take left (North-East) on the main path (Hollow stones). Continue on this main path (for around 2 Km) that is going up until reaching the summit of Scafell pike. Closer to the summit the path starts to be very rocky.

(3) Once at the summit, go down in the direction of Green Crag using the main path (this part is very steep). Continue on the path between Broad Crag and Ill Crag until reaching Esk Hause.

(4) Turn left (North-West) to take the path going down in the direction of Sprinkling Tarn. Pass Sprinkling Tarn and continue straight in the direction of Sty Head.

(5) Once at Sty Head (Seeing Styhead Tarn in the far right) and a mountain rescue shelter in front, take left (West) on the rocky path that goes down. Keep on this middle path. Do not try to go straight down in the direction of the river. Pass Toad How, Bursting Knott and continue on this main path until reaching Moses'Trod, lingmell beck river and the farm Burnthwaite.

(6) Go around the farm and take the left road passing between fields (South-West) and Saint Olaf's Church. Continue until reaching Wasdale Head car park and an intersection of roads.

(7) Take left on the main road (South). Continue for around 200m.

(8) Leave the main road in the direction of the two gates on the left. Take the right gate to go on the path indicated by a blue arrow and mentioned as Public Bridleway Car park (South). Do not take the left gate on the path going straight to the river. Continue on this path across the fields for around 600m until reaching the river. Cross the river. Continue straight in the direction of the larger road (passing the campsite on your right). Then turn right to arrive at the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 70 m - National Trust Wasdale Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 116 m - Bridge - River
  3. 2 : km 2.21 - alt. 535 m - Intersection of paths
  4. 3 : km 4.15 - alt. 960 m - Scafell summit
  5. 4 : km 6.35 - alt. 762 m - Esk Hause - Towards Sprinkling tarn
  6. 5 : km 8.64 - alt. 476 m - Sty Head - Junction
  7. 6 : km 11.39 - alt. 107 m - Around the farm - Towards Saint Olaf's Church
  8. 7 : km 12.31 - alt. 76 m - Main road
  9. 8 : km 12.43 - alt. 74 m - Leave main road - Gate
  10. S/E : km 13.64 - alt. 71 m - National Trust Wasdale Car Park

Useful Information

Start: National Trust Wasdale Car Park for Scafell Pike, Seascale (CA20 1EX) Grid ref. NY 182 074

Parking: National Trust Wasdale Car Park for Scafell Pike, Seascale (CA20 1EX), Fees apply (free for National Trust members)

Toilet: At the car park

Terrain: Rocky path near the top of Scafell pike, steep path going down Scafell pike.

Dog-friendly: Can be strenuous for dogs not used to walk long distance. Only for fit dogs.

Find more walks in the lake district on Our Lake District Escapades website.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Possible to stop for a little swim in Sprinkling Tarn.

Amazing view from the top of Scafell pike. Better to do the walk during a clear day.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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