The most popular route is from Wasdale Head up a path which many people refer to as the "Tourist Path" or "Main Path" or the "Brown Tongue route" or the "Hollow Stones route". Wainwright's guide describes this route in Scafell Pike 13.

If you are new to hill hiking or have no-one experienced in your group then route 1a IS the route for you. You will still need good weather, adequate clothing, good footwear, food, water and a map or reliable specialist app (not google maps). See my general tips for walking the Wainwrights.

Start: Just south of Wasdale Head car park, between the car park and the bridge OR near the southern camp site on the road to Wasdale Head Hall Farm. These two paths soon join together. At the time of writing parking at Wasdale Green was free but cost £9 (cash only, 2024 price) at the NT car park near the camp site.

Main Route 1a: The paths from both starting points join together and ascend Lingmell Gill. After fording the stream it heads up over Brown Tongue and Hollow stones along a zig zag section and then up to Lingmell Col. It then turns right and up the final ascent.

Choices: As you can see above there are two places you can park for the start. There are also choices further up.

1a: Stick to the main trail all the way - total will be 3 miles, (3 hours) up and a little less down. The path varies from gravel path lower down to rocky paths higher up and has a constructed rock path and steps for some stretches.

1b: This separates from 1a quite early on and takes the path left over Lingmell which is a Wainwright. It gets steep earlier on and is slightly longer but much less busy so much quieter. It can take in the summit of Lingmell although there are several paths in the top part which eventually join together so you could do this from 1a anyway. The path is much more track over grass with some rocky bits. At Lingmell Col it rejoins 1a.

1c: This separates from 1a further up taking a path to the right towards Mickledore.  It is also much less busy than 1a from this point. Its slightly shorter than 1a, in fact this is the shortest of any of the routes, but it is not likely to be much quicker. There are dramatic close up views as you approach Mickledore with the rocky sides of both Scafell and Scafell Pike towering above you. The path is much more rocky track and goes through a scree section below Scafell.

The 1c route includes a rocky scramble near the top as you reach Mickledore. Scramble means you will need to use hands as well as feet. The scramble is generally considered fairly easy as scrambles go although obviously not if you don't like scrambles. It is very rough and care must be taken. Its generally easier to go UP ground like this than DOWN because you can see where to place your feet better and holding on with your hands is easier. Its in a gully with rock all around you so does not feel exposed. (Exposed is the word that hill walkers use for ground that gives you the nasty feeling that you are going to fall off it.)

You can take any of the routes back to Wasdale Head for the return ie any of these or 4a or 4b or 2b to styhead and then 4b.

Advantages of this route: Shortest routes, under 3 miles each way. Simplest navigation on main route 1a. Good path. Lots of other people around at popular times on 1a. Easy parking. Choice of 3 routes for the upper part. No scrambling on 1a or 1b. Can easily add on Lingmell if taking 1a or 1b. Circular route possible eg go up 1a and down 1b. Pub and small shop at Wasdale Head.

Disdvantages of this route: 1a is the busiest/noisiest route and often has lots of people on it. Although many of the other routes have some steep parts these route 1 paths cover the height in the shortest distance, so overall they are the steepest. (see route profiles below)

There is one water crossing - a small rocky stream called Lingmell Gill on routes 1a and 1c - this is not usually a problem however after a very wet spell, especially in winter, it can become problematic and maybe even impossible to cross safely. You may have to hunt for a way across further up in this case or use 1b which has no water crossing.

Although the views are great they are arguably the worst on this route because you don't see much other than the view towards Wastwater, until you get higher up. On other routes you will see more variety lower down. If you are new to the lake district you are probably going to think the views are amazing anyway !

The shop in Wasdale Head is not big enough to rely on for provisions for the day.

The main disadvantage however is that the start point, Wasdale Head, is very remote. Its a 90min drive from Ambleside while Seathwaite (route 2 below) is 45min and Langdale (route 3 below) is only 15min. From Keswick its a 75min drive while Seathwaite is only 20min. The road along the side of Wastwater is very picturesque but hard work for the driver at times especially if busy. Its quite rough and narrow in places and its the only road in. All this also applies to route 4 of course.

Another popular route is from Seathwaite to Styhead Tarn and then along the Corridor Route. This route is described in the Wainwright guides at Scafell Pike 15 and 16 (and Scafell Pike 18 for my route 2b)

Start: Road at Seathwaite Farm. There is free parking on the road leading up to the farm but if this is full the farm sometimes opens a field for paid parking, about £5 all day (2024 price).

Main Route 2a: The route starts along the valley floor from Seathwaite Farm before turning right at Stockley Bridge. It ascends over Greenhow Knott and along the side of Styhead Gill which it crosses at a small bridge. It continues past Styhead Tarn to the Styhead Stretcher Box, then turns left across Styhead and then right and the corridor route starts. (It is easy to miss the final right turn, which would mean you would be walking route 2b towards Esk Hause.) The corridor route ascends across the side of the fell with some steep parts and places where it has to cross streams coming down the fellside. There is one short downwards scramble over a large rock feature which lasts about 1 minute. After passing the top of Piers Gill it rises to meet route 1a at Lingmell Col where it turns left for the final ascent.

Choices:

2a: Take main path as described above - total will be 5 miles 5 hours each way. (NB take a look at 4c below as an alternative for the last bit.)

2b: From Styhead take the path up the side of Great End towards Esk Hause then around the back of Great End and along the rocky ridge over Blunt Top and around Broad Crag. (slightly longer than 2a but arguably better views as you are up higher for longer, so perhaps not as good if the cloud is low - you'll be in it for longer. Great End summit is a very slight diversion for a good viewpoint and a Wainwright).

2c: Yet another route from Seathwaite is to walk along to Stockley Bridge as before but carry on along Grains Gill and then up Ruddy Gill, walking between Seathwaite Fell and Glaramara. This brings you out just below Esk Hause joining route 2b, so misses out Styhead and the corridor route completely. Turn left to continue up to Esk Hause and then right to walk around the back of Great End and along the ridge to Scafell Pike as for 2b. I'd say the stretch up Grains Gill and Ruddy Gill is rather harder walking than going up 2a to Styhead.

Advantages of this route (2a): Popular route with variety of views and types of walking. Most gradual route ie fewest prolonged steep uphill stretches. Some help around. Parking at Seathwaite. Convenient start/end - Seathwaite is much closer to Keswick. Less busy route than 1a. Nice half way break at Styhead (not 2c). Some part circular options ie. You can eg take 2a up and then 2b back and rejoin your original route from Styhead or switch to 2c.

Disdvantages of this route (2a): Longer than route 1. Better navigation skills needed and preferably someone who has done it before. Make sure you find the correct path from Styhead (see arrow on pictures below). There is one short scramble on the corridor route(2a). Seathwaite is used as a starting point for other walks too so parking can sometimes be busy. Pub slightly further from start/end.

A more unusual route is from Langdale. This route is described in the Wainwright guides at Scafell Pike 19 where he says it is "for strong walkers and supermen only" !

Start: Langdale eg Old Dungeon Ghyll pub and then the end of the B5343 where there is a 90 degree corner. (There is an alternative for the first part of the route that starts behind the pub and takes the path on the north side of the valley into Mickleden - dotted on my map)

Main route 3a: The path leaves the road and heads across some fields along the valley floor to Stool End farm then turns right, crosses the river and continues along Mickleden. At the bottom of Stake Pass it turns left and after ascending Rossett Gill it passes Angle Tarn and then ascends again. As you approach Esk Hause it turns left and after another short ascent bears right up the side of Great End. At the top it turns left and follows the ridge, passing between Ill Crag and Broad Crag before the final rocky ascent.

Choices: from just below Esk Hause which is about 3/4 of the way:

3a: Main route as described above. Would be 6 miles 6.5 hours total one way. The upper part of this route is the same as 2b.

3b: Down to Styhead then Corridor Route. (ie same as 2a) This route makes no sense to me as it is much longer and loses so much height dropping down to Styhead but some people do it if they do not want exactly the same route both ways. (Total 8 miles 8 hours one way)

Advantages of this route: Interesting route with excellent and varied views. Parking options in Langdale. Gentle start. Quieter route. Convenient start/end especially from Ambleside. Nice stopping points at Angle Tarn, Esk Hause and passes close to other Wainwrights eg Rossett Pike, Allen Crags, Great End so lots of route options to consider higher up if Scafell Pike becomes undesirable eg Esk Pike and Bowfell from Esk Hause. 2 pubs in Langdale.

Disdvantages of this route:The longest route, more than 6 miles each way. Better navigation skills needed and preferably someone who has done it before. Limited circular options mean that most people will reverse the route for the return (although it is possible to come back over Esk Pike and Bowfell if you are superhuman).

Although they also leave from Wasdale Head these are very different routes compared to route 1. They start by heading north up the valley from Wasdale Head following Lingmell Beck and ultimately around the other side of Lingmell. Route 4a is described in the Wainwright guides at Scafell Pike 14.

Start: Wasdale Head Green car park.

Main Route 4a: This route heads gently up the valley and passes under Great Gable along the side of Lingmell Beck which it eventually crosses. (This could be difficult if there is a lot of water in the beck.) As the path bends right it begins to ascend more and crosses a smaller stream then continues to climb before passing below Criscliffe Knotts. It then reaches a short rocky scramble before Middleboot Knotts and a little further up gets close to the edge of the gill before joining the top of the corridor route (2a). Here it turns right and then a few minutes later, left, at Lingmell Col where it joins route 1a/1b for the final ascent.

Choices:

4a: main route as described. (total 4 miles 4.5 hrs).

4b: separates from 4a quite early, before any ascent, and takes the path up the flank of Great Gable to Styhead. This is a straightforward solid path. Then at Styhead take the Corridor Route (2a) or Great End route (2b). (Both a mile and an hour or so longer than 4a). 4b is really a very different route to 4a.

4c: If using 4a there is another possible end to the route. Turn right onto the corridor route then soon afterwards turn left onto a path that runs up between Broad Crag and Dropping Crag. This meets the routes that come across from Great End, just before their final ascent to the summit. This is only a short section, all of the route is visible up to the col if the weather is clear, however it is quite steep and rough with some scree climbing. This is going to be a much quieter section than the busy routes that lead up from Lingmell Fell and is also slightly shorter possibly saving a few minutes, but it is a bit more challenging. Wainwright calls this "a good alternative". It is also possible to do this from any of the routes that use the corridor route of course (4b,2a,3b!).

Advantages of this route: Dramatic route. Good parking. Very quiet route especially 4a/4c. Long warm up before much climbing in lovely scenery between Lingmell and Great Gable. Only slightly longer than route 1. Many circular options ie return can be done on any of the routes back to Wasdale Head eg go up 4a and down 1a. Pub at Wasdale Head.

Disdvantages of this route: Remote start/end (as for route 1). Some scrambling near Middleboot Knotts (not 4b). Limited help available from other walkers (especially 4a). Crosses Lingmell Beck may be difficult if flow is high (4a). Navigation more difficult because the paths are smaller and it might be problematic in poor visibility or winter. We did this route in good weather in August 2020 and added on Scafell and Slight Side as well.

This (4a) is really the route with the most significant danger. Piers Gill is a dangerous ravine - this route is along a path above it where care is needed, but it does NOT go into the ravine, which is highly dangerous to attempt without climbing equipment and knowledge. Even on this route there is some possible danger - if you fall in the ravine you will probably die. Do not approach the edges to peer in. Much of this route follows a track in the grass up the fellside. This is fine in summer when the path can be seen easily. However I personally would not attempt it in poor visibility or snow when it could be quite easy to lose the track. Having said all that we found the route perfectly fine in good weather and not scary at all.

Two notes about coming DOWN this route

If you are coming down this way make sure that you take the path down the right hand side of the gill. There is no safe way to the left of the gill or down through the gill itself. Wasdale Mountain Rescue have had to get several people out recently (2024), some of whom had spent overnight stuck in freezing wet conditions. Some had serious injuries including to feet and ankles because they had tried to jump. It might look OK at the very top but further down the ground in the gill drops in a series of steps. Once you get down one or two of these you will reach parts that are impossible to jump or climb down but by then you will not be able to get back up either.

There have been several fatalities in this area over the last few years - this is not an place to treat casually.

As far as route 4 itself goes I would think twice about using it to go DOWN, for two reasons. First the little scramble below Middleboot Knotts is harder going down than going up. Secondly the route crosses Greta Gill and Lingmell Beck, both of which are quite low down on the route. In summer if the flow is low they won't present a problem especially Greta Gill which will be very small. However if the water flow rate is high they can widen and become more difficult and dangerous. I'd rather discover that early on in the walk when I could re-route probably by heading for Styhead and switching to the corridor route. However re-routing when coming down could mean a long climb back up to the top of the corridor route which I probably wouldn't want to do at the end of a tiring day.

From Eskdale follow the river Esk to Cam Spout Crag and ascend from there eg up to Mickledore. This route is described in the Wainwright guides at Scafell Pike 21. I 'd probably recommend the Wainwright guide for these routes as there are lots of options.

Start: On the Hardknott Pass road through Eskdale eg Wha House farm or Jubilee Bridge. These two points are just under a mile apart by road.

Choices:

The routes can be split into two halves, lower and upper and they all meet below Cam Spout Crag so can be mixed and matched freely.

For the lower part:

5a - to the east of the river Esk starting from Jubilee Bridge. There are several different paths at different points on the eastern side.

5b - to the west of the river Esk starting from Whahouse Bridge. There are a few routes on this side. Wainwright advises avoiding the sketchy path very close to the west bank of the Esk because it enters a gorge below Green Crag and escape is difficult.

For the upper part:

5c - turn up towards Mickledore. This is the simplest and most obvious way.

5d - carry on up the Esk valley and turning up Little Narrowcove, which is a slightly tougher way up. (When leaving Cam Spout be careful to avoid the path that leads up over Pen - yet another route that I'm not describing here!)

5e - carry on up the Esk valley all the way to Esk Hause then turn up towards Great end joining 3a. A much longer route.

Advantages of this route: Quietest route of all. Long warm up walking through the Esk valley before much climbing. Some nice things to see on the route through the valley - waterfalls and places to swim. Easier start access than Wasdale Head for most people. Some route options for both halves. Experienced walkers sometimes combine this with a route over Scafell and Slightside or Great End via Esk Hause. Saves most of the climb for the end which some people will like. Easy to abandon the ascent at Cam Spout Crag and change this into a walk of Eskdale valley eg if conditions change.

Disdvantages of this route: Long route (6 hours 5-6 miles each way). The wettest route underfoot in the lower half, it sometimes involves crossing flowing streams and wet ground. Limited help available from other walkers. Parking can be tricky in Eskdale as it is limited and used for several other walks - some people park a little further down the valley at Boot. Although this is basically one route there are a number of different possible paths so careful navigation is needed especially in poor visibility. Saves most of the climb for the end which some people will not like.