Sat 20th May 2017
Date
1 Walking Day
Duration
Lake District
Location
4
Grade

Scafell Pike Mountain Day Walk

A challenging and rewarding mountain walk of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England starting from the wonderful Great Langdale valley.

“This is a splendid walk, depending for its appeal on a wide variety of scene, and on the elusiveness of the Pike, which is completely screened by other fells at the outset and remains concealed until the final stages.” A.Wainwright.

Highlights

  • Reaching the summit of England’s highest mountain
  • High passes, mountain tarns, streams and remote mountain scenery
  • Walking in the footsteps of A. Wainwright
  • Services of an experienced mountain guide
INCLUDED
1 day of scenic guided walking Experienced guide
NOT INCLUDED
Meals and drinks
Accommodation

 

Accommodation for this tour is not included. For accommodation information and all essential tour information please click on the ‘Trip Notes’ tab.

Additional information

Min Age16
1

Saturday – Walk

Grade 4 walk – Scafell Pike 11 miles (17.6km), with 3400 ft (1037m) of ascent

A full days mountain walk of many contrasts starting from an easy level walk from the Old Dungeon Ghyll in the Great Langdale valley to a gradual climb on the old pony route of Rossett Gill before descending to Angle Tarn, a remote but beautiful mountain lake enveloped by the surrounding fells. The route finally reaches Esk Hause and from here a steady gradient leads upwards, encountering some rough ground across a plateau and two more descents before the final steep stony ascent to Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain.

After a good time at the top to enjoy your packed lunch amongst the majestic views and also revel in the achievement of reaching the summit, we return on the same route we approached but seeing the landscape from a different perspective.

The conditions underfoot are uneven and rocky in places, but we’ll take our time to navigate safely across the broken ground.

The duration of the day’s walk can be up to 7+hours depending on the day, and will finish back at the Old Dungeon Ghyll and an opportunity to enjoy a drink in the local Lakeland Inn to mark a great days mountain walk.

Essential Info

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included as part of this tour. If you require help with booking accommodation you may find the following links useful:

Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel on the doorstep to the days walk

New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel Within walking distance to the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel

Stickle Barn Bunkhouse situated across from the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel

Elterwater Hostel good quality accommodation within close driving distance to the walk

Booking.com

Alternative accommodation in Elterwater, Ambleside, Grasmere, Windermere, Bowness will require transport to reach the start of the walk in the Great Langdale valley. If you need assistance with transport, please do not hesitate to contact Country Adventures.

Food & Drink

For the walk(s) please bring with you a packed lunch and refreshments. Occasionally on some guided walks (Grade 1 to 2 walks) we may pass a country inn or tea room where if we have time we can call in, however having a packed lunch with you gives the group the freedom to have lunch wherever we are on the walking route.

Transport

For guided walking tours that require transport from the meeting point to the start of the walk, we use a minibus or where necessary local transport. There is no extra charge for this, it is included in the tour price.

Fitness Levels

Our walks are by no means designed to be endurance tests where everyone sets off at a blistering pace. Far from it, it’s about a fine day in the hills in good company enjoying the best of fell walking with exceptional views but it is important to state that for everyone’s walking enjoyment walking does require a minimum level of fitness and stamina. Hill / Mountain walking experience is not essential as long as you have a reasonable level of fitness. For the higher level graded walks (i.e. Challenging Grade) it is advisable that you are someone who enjoys regular cardio exercise or have experience of mountain walking and have the stamina/ leg strength in order to be better prepared for longer sections of uphill & downhill walking associated with higher mountain treks.

Walking Grades Explained

Grade 1 (Leisurely) Normally 5-8 miles, may include gentle ascents and descents of up to a total 1100ft of ascent and similar descent over a day’s walk. Easier scenic walking at lower altitudes along paths and tracks.

Grade 2 (Moderate) Normally 6-10 miles on paths and tracks, between 800ft – 1700ft of total ascent and similar descent. Longer walks, on hills and moorland.

Grade 3 (Moderate Mountain) Normally ranging from 6-10 miles, between 1700ft – 2600ft of ascent, similar descent. Longer walks, over higher ground with possibly steeper ups and downs on paths and tracks.

Grade 4 (Challenging) Normally ranging from 8-13 miles, between 1500ft – 3000+ft of ascent, similar descent, over undulating mountain terrain, walking at higher levels with steep ups and downs. Suitable for people with a good level of fitness.

Kit List

What you need to bring with you for the walks

  • Good, comfortable walking boots with a cleated sole and good ankle support are essential.
  • Waterproof jacket and over-trousers.
  • Warm, dry walking clothing. Unsuitable clothing includes Jeans or cotton tracksuit bottoms and cotton t-shirts (cotton is a poor insulating fabric and when wet it takes a long time to dry, which can lead to a rapid loss of body heat as well as being uncomfortable).
  • A number of thin layers are better than one thick/ heavy jumper. We suggest a fleece for extra warmth especially when we stop on the hills for lunch.
  • Hat and gloves (even in summer – any wind chill on the mountain tops will lead to cooler temperatures).
  • Sunglasses, sun cream.
  • Hot or cold drinks (i.e. a minimum of 2 litres of water).
  • Plenty of food and drink for lunch and snacks.
  • A rucksack large enough to carry it all in (20-30 litres), ideally with a waterproof liner.
  • Any medication you need.
  • Thermos flask. We recommend bringing warm drinks with you, as even on sunny days it can occasionally feel cooler, especially on the summits of the higher-level mountain walks.
  • Walking poles (if you use them).

We want you to enjoy your time with Country Adventures and have the best possible adventure experience. Please be aware that if any participants are not properly equipped for the walk (i.e. with walking boots and waterproofs), at the guide’s discretion we reserve the right to not allow them on the walk for reasons of safety for both the individual and the group. If you need clarification any of the equipment requirements, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Tour Schedule & Activity Meeting Times

Please ensure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the meeting point at the required time. Due to the nature of scheduled tours, we are unable to provide refunds if unfortunately, you miss the departure time.

Meeting Point

Please meet outside the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale Valley at 9.15am for the start of the walk. Two car parks are available including the Hotel Car Park for residents and a pay & display National Trust Car Park (free to NT members). If you require breakfast, the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel is open to non-residents and breakfast can be booked directly with the hotel up to a day in advance.

Address: The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale, Cumbria, LA22 9JY

Lake District Scafell Pike walk

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