Scafell Pike from Eskdale
Quick facts:
About the route:
For most of us, to arrive in Eskdale involves driving over the Wrynose & Hardknott passes. The Hardknott being the steepest road in the country! So the adventure will have began even before the walk does.
We follow good footpaths alongside the river Esk, this leads us fairly easily into the wilderness area of The Great Moss. The immense beauty can be overpowering and it certainly compensates for the wet feet you by now probably have!
Much of this section is flat, so apart from some 'bog-hopping' the walking is easy. After passing the impressive Dow Crag - or Esk Buttress as it's more commonly known - we ascend to the summits.
From Scafell Pike we will return via Mickledore and arrive back onto The Great Moss near to Sampsons Stones. These are an interesting formation of boulders set slightly above the boggy ground and they form a useful landmark for our return walk.
- Starting point is near Brotherilkeld farm, Eskdale
- How far is it? 10 walking miles in total
- How long will it take? Between 7 & 9 hours
- How much uphill / downhill? Around 900 metres of ascent & descent
- Level of difficulty: High
- What's the terrain like? Whilst some of this walk follows good footpaths, there are large sections of quite boggy terrain. Therefore, we recommend this route be saved for a dry spell during the summer months.
About the route:
For most of us, to arrive in Eskdale involves driving over the Wrynose & Hardknott passes. The Hardknott being the steepest road in the country! So the adventure will have began even before the walk does.
We follow good footpaths alongside the river Esk, this leads us fairly easily into the wilderness area of The Great Moss. The immense beauty can be overpowering and it certainly compensates for the wet feet you by now probably have!
Much of this section is flat, so apart from some 'bog-hopping' the walking is easy. After passing the impressive Dow Crag - or Esk Buttress as it's more commonly known - we ascend to the summits.
From Scafell Pike we will return via Mickledore and arrive back onto The Great Moss near to Sampsons Stones. These are an interesting formation of boulders set slightly above the boggy ground and they form a useful landmark for our return walk.