Walking up Scafell Pike Info

Q. Hi,

I am trying to arrange a walk up Scafell Pike at the end of July for 4 of us.

Do you have any info on the easiest route up and where to camp nearby the start of the walk, also where can i get a route map from?

Is this walk best to do with a guide or can it be done using a map and compass for first timers?

Any info you can provide would be really useful.

Thanks

Rob

Robert Spriggs, Portsmouth

A. Camp site is the easiest to answer as there is a NT campsite at the foot of wasdale ascent. I would say Wasdale via mickeldore is the "easiest" in terms of energy expenditure vs "fun". But Mickeldore isn't for everyone being a steep scree "scramble" with a fun final section. If the weather is good then a guide isn't needed, if the weather is bad (read foggy) and you are a novice then this isn't a good mountain to start on - the top is VERY craggy, pretty much a shattered boulderfield, and whilst there are plenty of cairns marking the paths, if you are a novice then you might not understand how paths are marked etc. A compass and map are only as good as the person using them and useful when the fog comes down - there are precipitous drops at the top. In good weather it is hard to get things wrong as there is usually a procession of people ascending.

John Gibbons, Carlisle

A. For all the best walk route maps for walking Scafell Pike see Walk Scafell Pike.

For other questions and answers about walking up Scafell Pike see other questions and answers about walking up Scafell Pike.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

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