Lake District Hiking Routes - Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike and Scafell Walking Route

Two scrambles linking Scafell and Scafell Pike in an epic day hike

The first in our series of 5 of the best Lake District Hiking Routes by guest writer and INOV8 hike ambassador James Forrest, aka The Mountain Man.

This is one of the most exciting and challenging walks you can take on in the Lake District. Hiking both Scafell Pike, England’s highest and perhaps most iconic mountain, and its neighbour Scafell in a one day walk is surprisingly difficult. That’s because the hazardous buttress of Broad Stand – a huge, impenetrable cliff - is in the way and can only be tackled with ropes and technical climbing expertise. However, two almost-hidden scrambling routes – Lord’s Rake and Foxes Tarn – enable the adventurous, experienced walker to bag both summits in an adrenaline-inducing day walk.

Hiking along the Corridor Route

Starting in Seathwaite in Borrowdale, this walk takes the popular Corridor Route to Lingmell Col, before picking up the Lord’s Rake scramble (a tough but not overly technical scramble over the shifting stones of a wide gully) to summit to Scafell. While Lord's Rake is only rated as a Grade 1 scramble - there are big drops if you were to fall - so take great care and don't attempt the route in adverse or winter conditions. After reaching the summit, descend via the steep, and sometimes wet, gully of Foxes Tarn. Return to Mickledore before climbing up Scafell Pike and looping back to Borrowdale. It’s hard to think of a more intrepid hike in the Lakes.

Corridor Route views

Summits: Scafell, Scafell Pike

Distance: 17.2km (10.7 miles)

Ascent: 1,751m

Time: 8-9 hours

Start/finish: Limited roadside parking in Seathwaite (NY235121)

Warning: Please note this walk includes some technical sections (up to grade one scrambling), over very steep and rough ground including unstable scree on the Lord’s Rake and Foxes Tarn routes. Caution should be taken.

Kit advice: The highest peaks in England are prone to unpredictable and inhospitable weather, so for this walk I’d recommend the Thermoshell Pro Insulated Jacket for extra warmth if the temperate plummets and the Protec-Shell Waterproof Jacket for maximum waterproofing.

Route Details: Download a GPX file of the route

Please Note:  Only undertake this route if you are adequately prepared and equipped for the conditions you might face.

READ MORE: James Forrest undertakes solo, self-supported Wainwright Round | Mental Health Benefits of Fast Hiking