Dogs on Scafell Pike?

Q. Hi Guys, Great site.

I am planning an attempt on Scafell Pike later this month with my dog Max in tow {leading the way}.

We have been hill walking in the Langdale area and in North Wales over the past couple of years, but this will be my most challenging walk to date.

Any advice or encouragement from fellow dog walkers would be most appreciated.

David Thomas, Oldham

A. It sounds like you already have some experience and providing you stick to one of our routes and keep Max on a lead (for his and everybody else's safety) Scafell Pike is certainly achievable.

Make sure everyone in your party is properly equipped with plenty of their own food and water, proper walking boots and waterproofs (even if the weather forecast is good!)

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

A. Hi It's a long walk so even though there are tarns and gills on the way, make sure you carry some water for your dog. After Styhead Tarn or Sprinkling Tarn (depending which route you take) there is little or no natural water for the last 90 mins or so.

You don't say what type of dog you have. We have a Westie and he went up Scafell Pike when he was 2 years old. He managed OK, slept for a week afterwards(!), but we had to carry him on the very rocky summit area because he couldn't walk on the rocks and his paws went down the gaps in between.

For this reason I would recommend you don't take the Esk Hause route as there is a rocky climb and the time spent walking on the rocks is longer than, for example the Corridor Route. But it depends on your dog, of course.

Good luck!!

Helen Allmark, Northampton

A. I recently did Scarfel [sic] and took my dog Ty who is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

It was a tough walk, (especially as we got lost - (you should have use a go4awalk.com route - Ed)) so your dog does need to be fit.

Ty did need a little help over the really big rocks - but in general he really did enjoy it.

Hope this helps.

Amanda Briggs, Ilkeston

A. Hi David,

You should have no problem getting your dog up Scafell Pike my old greyhound has been up from Wasdale and Seathwaite. Sore feet could be a problem but if he has walked on the road they should be tough enough.

Please keep him or her on a lead you never know with a dog c u

Steve, Pontefract

A. Dogs should have no problem with Scafell. Me and Mincer (don't laugh he's a rescue dog - it's the name he came with) my Jack Russell did walk c271 The Scafell Massif from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

without a problem although he did need a hand in square cut gully I would be judicious in your use of the lead its got me into some dodgy situations trying to hold a lead when you should be looking after yourself.

Alan Reed, Saltburn-by-the-sea

A. I took mine. No probs. Lots of sheep around though, even near the top so he needs to be very obedient or on a lead.

We took a steep route with a bit of scrambling involved and we had to lift him up some rocks (he's a Beagle so not big dog).

You can take easier routes though.

Katalin Tischhauser, London

A. Hi everyone, Just want to say thanks to everyone who answered our question here. much appreciated.

Max is a Finnish Spitz and very lively for a five year old so the extending lead is always neccesary. We did try walking the Esk Hause route from Langdale c194 Scafell Pike from The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale

last month but it did proove to be to long for us.

Now that we have finaly descoverd our limit, we will probably try from Wast Water