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Scafell Pike

English/Welsh
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
978 m (3208 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NY21530722
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
n/a
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
2
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Sharp-pointed hill with bare summit
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  98   Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside
  90   Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Scafell Pike (3000ft+) is the highest of five tops which together form a boulder-strewn dissected plateau between Wasdale and upper Eskdale, in the Lake District (England).

To the NE lie Broad Crag (934m), Ill Crag (935m) and Great End (910m), and these tops are relatively very quiet since the ‘tourist route’, which every year sees many thousands of visitors to the highest summit in the Lake District, and in England, passes between them. They are separated by a narrow col from Scafell Pike, which is similarly separated to the SW by the Mickledore col from Sca Fell (3000ft+) .

There are many possible routes to the summit; but since the shorter routes from Wasdale and Eskdale are relatively remote for drivers, Borrowdale and Langdale are favourite starting places. Routes from these valleys are lengthy; and coupled with tiring boulder terrain encountered on the plateau, Scafell Pike is for most visitors a strenuous full day outing.

Hazards you may encounter on Scafell Pike include
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags within 1km of summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.
Picture Gallery for Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike seen from the top of Lingmell.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The eastern aspect of Scafell Pike, with Broad Crag and Ill Crag to the right, seen across upper Eskdale. Taken from Crinkle Crags.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Scafell Pike seen from Kirkfell Tarn.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The Sca Fell range from near Bow Fell; May 1970.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen
View All 14 Images for Scafell Pike

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Cumbrian Fells
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Lake District
by Met Office 		Scafell Pike
by Metcheck
Scafell Pike Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Scafell Pike.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Scafell Pike
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1075 m 13.52 km 4.5 hrs Scafell Pike  Longer but easy-graded circular walk from Borrowdale to England’s highest and most popular summit, on well-trodden paths.  
2 1120 m 9.51 km 4 hrs Scafell Pike and Sca Fell  Moderate route, from Wasdale, to reach two 3000ft+ peaks with no scrambling involved, but steep scree slopes to negotiate between the two peaks.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Scafell Pike

  Baggers Gallery for Scafell Pike

myself atop Scafell Pike at 4:15am during my three peaks challenge 3.9.10

© iain watson
Image by iain watson

Scafell Pike 5.6.10 going by the flag,the world cup has reached the hills,lol

© iain watson
Image by iain watson

Owen and me at Scafell Pike summit, 21 May 2010. Had great views on the ascent after coming out above a cloud inversion.

© Michael Hill
Image by Michael Hill

Me at summit Scafell Pike 14/06/08

© John Donnelly
Image by John Donnelly
View All 6 Baggers Images for Scafell Pike
The logging section stores any entries for Scafell Pike in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
You need to be a member to have a route log.
Recently Climbed By
Darran Eccleston on 23 Feb 2024

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Scafell Pike
by David McSporran
Scafell Pike
by Michael Hill
Scafell Pike and Sca Fell
by David McSporran

Post a few words about Scafell Pike or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
William Mulholland
wrote on
August 26, 2012
Long and gentle route up England's highest mountain from Borrowdale / Seathwaite through the valley
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 03 May 2010 Scafell Pike Derek Turnbull Scafell Pike Not Yet Rated
2 31 Jul 2010 The Three Peaks Challenge Michael Hill Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
 
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