Rosthwaite to Wasdale Head via Langstrath (Day 1) - Monday 5 June 2023
and
Wasdale Head to Rosthwaite via Scafell Pike (Day 2) - Tuesday 6 June 2023
Route
Day 1
Rosthwaite - Stonethwaite - Blackmoss Pot - Langstrath - Tray Dub - Tongue Head - Angle Tarn - Esk Hause Shelter - Sprinkling Tarn - Sty Head - Toad How - Bursting Knott - Lingmell Beck - Moses Trod - Burnthwaite Farm (Wasdale Head)
Day 2
Burnthwaite Farm - Wasdale Head - Lingmell Beck - Lingmell Gill - Brown Tongue - Mickledore - Scafell Pike - Broad Crag Col - Ill Crag - Calf Cove - Esk Hause - Ruddy Gill - Grains Gill - Stockley Bridge - Seathwaite Farm - Thorneythwaite Farm - Strands Bridge - Folly Bridge - Johnny Wood - Borrowdale YHA - Peat Howe - Rosthwaite
Parking
We parked for 2 days in the overflow Car Park at The Scafell Hotel. However as of 2024 the hotel has ceased trading therefore at the time of writing (June 2024) I am unsure as to whether this facility is available.
Mileage
Day 1
11 miles
Day 2
11.1 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout. The final 200 or so yards ascending Mickledore is over loose scree and is very steep therefore care needs to be taken.
Weather
Perfect - sunshine and light breezes for both days
Time Taken
Day 1
5hrs 50mins
Day 2
7hrs 35mins
Total Ascent
Day 1
2237ft (682m)
Day 2
3398ft (1036m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Walkers
Dave & Ronnie Walsh
Day 1
Rosthwaite - Stonethwaite - Blackmoss Pot - Langstrath - Tray Dub - Tongue Head - Angle Tarn - Esk Hause Shelter - Sprinkling Tarn - Sty Head - Toad How - Bursting Knott - Lingmell Beck - Moses Trod - Burnthwaite Farm (Wasdale Head)
Day 2
Burnthwaite Farm - Wasdale Head - Lingmell Beck - Lingmell Gill - Brown Tongue - Mickledore - Scafell Pike - Broad Crag Col - Ill Crag - Calf Cove - Esk Hause - Ruddy Gill - Grains Gill - Stockley Bridge - Seathwaite Farm - Thorneythwaite Farm - Strands Bridge - Folly Bridge - Johnny Wood - Borrowdale YHA - Peat Howe - Rosthwaite
Parking
We parked for 2 days in the overflow Car Park at The Scafell Hotel. However as of 2024 the hotel has ceased trading therefore at the time of writing (June 2024) I am unsure as to whether this facility is available.
Mileage
Day 1
11 miles
Day 2
11.1 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout. The final 200 or so yards ascending Mickledore is over loose scree and is very steep therefore care needs to be taken.
Weather
Perfect - sunshine and light breezes for both days
Time Taken
Day 1
5hrs 50mins
Day 2
7hrs 35mins
Total Ascent
Day 1
2237ft (682m)
Day 2
3398ft (1036m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Walkers
Dave & Ronnie Walsh
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GPX Files
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Route Map
Day 1
We parked our cars at the overflow Car Park next to The Scafell Hotel who charged us a tenner for the privilege. As stated above, the hotel ceased trading in early 2024 therefore alternative arrangements will need to be made. There are other Car Parks available in Rosthwaite and nearby Seatoller however please ensure you are able to leave your car overnight.
Rosthwaite Bridge - the route crosses it over Stonethwaite Beck and turns right along the Coast to Coast path
The route continues down a walled lane towards Stonethwaite Bridge. Directly ahead is Rosthwaite Fell with Thornythwaite Fell to the right.
The route leaves the Coast to Coast path to cross Stonethwaite Bridge
Stonethwaite Beck
From the bridge we headed through Stonethwaite passing The Langstrath Country Inn
A tad harsh - it was glorious today
Passing Tilly's Barn
Alisongrass Hoghouse was once a working croft. It is now known as Tilly's Barn and was named after Charles Tilly, a local rock climber who used the barn as a base for his climbing, and who currently manages the barn which is now a holiday let.
Alisongrass Hoghouse was once a working croft. It is now known as Tilly's Barn and was named after Charles Tilly, a local rock climber who used the barn as a base for his climbing, and who currently manages the barn which is now a holiday let.
The lower reaches of Langstrath Beck near Smithymire Island
Eagle Crag
With Sergeant's Crag towering above us to the left, we begin the transit through the delightful valley of Langstrath
The popular swimming location of Blackmoss Pot
Approaching the footbridge over Tray Dub
Tray Dub
Langstrath Beck (Click Play to view)
Fudge has a mess about below the falls at Langstrath Beck
Just above the falls and more opportunities for Fudge to arse about in the water
A carpet of Eriophorum (Cotton Grass) as we look up Langstrath
The route passes a large sheepfold below Low Buzzard Knott on Glaramara
We remained on the right hand side of Langstrath Beck as we continued up the valley although it is possible to walk on both sides. Up ahead, Hanging Knotts on Bowfell comes into view on the left with Esk Pike in the centre.
At Grid Reference NY 24881 08894 we crossed over Langstrath Beck
Allen Crags
Looking down Langstrath to Glaramara
Hanging Knotts on Bowfell with Angle Tarn below
A little higher up and Angle Tarn comes into full view
Looking back to Rossett Pike and the Langdale Pikes
Above Angle Tarn the route arrives at a path junction. Fudge for once guessed correctly - the right hand path heads for Esk Hause whilst the left hand one leads to Ore Gap and on to Bowfell or Esk Pike.
The small tarn on Tongue Head - Fudge waits for the command to dive in
The path to Esk Hause
Below Esk Hause looking to Great End
The cross shelter below Esk Hause
Esk Pike from the cross shelter below Esk Hause
Sprinkling Tarn
Looking to Styhead Tarn from near Sty Head. The path coming in on the distant right is from Seathwaite. Over to the left is Aaron Slack, Green Gable & Base Brown.
The Band, Skew Gill & Great End from Sty Head
The Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box at Sty Head
Instead of the usual path to Wasdale Head that transits below Great Gable, we chose to use the path that heads down via the left hand side of Spouthead Gill.
Crossing the confluence of Lingmell Beck & Spouthead Gill - note the helpful arrow on the opposite bank!
The Emerald Pool - just a trickle today and nobody else here
The footbridge over Gable Beck with Wastwater centre - Yewbarrow dominates the view ahead
With our bed for the night at Burnthwaite Farm just around the corner, Ronnie, Fudge and I were looking forward to a shower, dinner and a few beers at the Wasdale Head Inn - a perfect end to a cracking day
Day 2
Burnthwaite Farm
This is an excellent B&B which also has a self catering holiday cottage. Georgina & Andrew are fantastic hosts and the prices are very reasonable. A link to their website is here
This is an excellent B&B which also has a self catering holiday cottage. Georgina & Andrew are fantastic hosts and the prices are very reasonable. A link to their website is here
The memorial in St Olaf's Churchyard to the members of the Fell & Rock Climbing Club who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War 1. There is a similar memorial on the summit of Great Gable.
St Olaf's in Wasdale Head which is England's smallest parish church. It sits just 35 people. The church is always worth a visit and we have wandered inside many, many times. Wasdale Head was originally a Norse settlement, its first settlers being 2nd and 3rd generation Norse explorers who became farmers after landing on the west coast from Ireland and the Isle of Man around 1000 AD, bringing Christianity with them.
St Olaf (995 - 1030) was the King of Norway and is widely credited with uniting his country with a widespread adoption of Christianity. Before inheriting the throne he took part in a raid on London in 1014 and helped depose King Canute and restore Ethelred the Unready back to the English throne. However in 1028, Olaf himself was overturned by Canute and was killed at the Battle of Stiklestaad in 1030 as he attempted to regain his throne. He was eventually canonised by Pope Alexander III in 1164.
St Olaf (995 - 1030) was the King of Norway and is widely credited with uniting his country with a widespread adoption of Christianity. Before inheriting the throne he took part in a raid on London in 1014 and helped depose King Canute and restore Ethelred the Unready back to the English throne. However in 1028, Olaf himself was overturned by Canute and was killed at the Battle of Stiklestaad in 1030 as he attempted to regain his throne. He was eventually canonised by Pope Alexander III in 1164.
The tiny interior of St Olaf's Church
The hamlet of Wasdale Head with Yewbarrow beyond. On departure the weather didn't look too promising with much low cloud shrouding the tops. Having studied several forecasts we were confident the weather would improve during the morning.
The Wasdale Head Inn - we had Dinner here last night. Good food & beer but blimey their prices are a tad expensive
The route follows the main road out of Wasdale Head to reach four gates near the bridge at Down in the Dale. We would be heading to the left which is the main route to Scafell Pike - the path to the right leads to the National Trust Camp Site & Car Park at Brackenclose.
The footbridge over Lingmell Beck
Looking back to Wasdale Head, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell & Great Gable. Slowly but surely the cloud was starting to lift.
The Brown Tongue path to Scafell Pike - the path up from Brackenclose can be seen coming up on the right
Crossing Lingmell Gill. When the gill is in spate this can be a tricky crossing - today it was a doddle
Illgill Head, Wastwater, Buckbarrow & Middle Fell from above the crossing point over Lingmell Gill
The blue sky arrives as we continue up the Brown Tongue ascent. Seatallan is over to the left with Yewbarrow, Haycock, Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Pillar and the west ridge of Lingmell now in view.
At Grid Reference NY 20157 07230 the main path splits. Going left continues to Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones however we would be heading to the right on the Mickledore and Lord's Rake path.
Pikes Crag, Pulpit Rock and Mickledore Buttress
The scree covered slopes of Black Crag
The "big boulder" that Wainwright refers to in the ascent from Wasdale Head (Scafell 10)
The weather had improved markedly by the time we had reached Shamrock, Scafell Crag & the path to Lord's Rake. Much as I would have liked to climb via the rake and incorporate Scafell, we had planned to go via Mickledore as we had Fudge with us.
From the Mickledore path Lord's Rake can be seen quite clearly
Looking back to the Hollow Stones "tourist route" that leads to Scafell Pike
The path to Mickledore is mostly scree and to make steady progress it is best not to deviate from the obvious route up on the right
Pulpit Rock from the path to Mickledore
As height is gained, Lord's Rake becomes clearer. A blog describing the climb to Scafell & Scafell Pike via Lord's Rake can be found here
Looking back down our route of ascent to Mickledore
The scree continues as we near the top of the climb to Mickledore
To reach Mickledore, the remaining 30 or so yards are via a rocky scramble
Mickledore with the Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box on the left
Pulpit Rock from Mickledore
Broad Stand leading to Scafell from Mickledore. Climbing Broad Stand is strictly off limits for walkers - to reach Scafell from Mickledore use the path via Foxes Gully to Foxes Tarn.
The route to Mickledore via Eskdale & Cam Spout
Mickledore from near Broad Stand - this would be our onward route to Scafell Pike
Fudge at the Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box with Broad Stand beyond
I never tire of this view of Broad Stand from Mickledore
Scafell & Symonds Knott now in view as we climb away from Mickledore towards Scafell Pike
Ronnie, Fudge and I at the Trig Point on the Roof of England, Scafell Pike
Ronnie at the summit of Scafell Pike
The plaque embedded into the summit cairn on Scafell Pike which commemorates the gift of the mountain to the nation
Our route of descent looking to Broad Crag, Great End & Ill Crag
Lingmell Col, Lingmell, Pillar, Kirk Fell & Great Gable from above Broad Crag Col
Looking down to Broad Crag Col with Broad Crag beyond - over to the left is a distant Skiddaw
Little Narrowcove from Broad Crag Col with Crinkle Crags beyond
It sure was a great day to be out - the visibility was excellent as we look over Lingmell to the Western Fells
Scafell Pike from the path to Broad Crag
The summit of Broad Crag
From Broad Crag we headed back to the main path to make our transit over to Ill Crag which is to the right
Broad Crag with Scafell Pike beyond from Ill Crag
Fudge on the summit of Ill Crag looking to Esk Pike, Bowfell & Crinkle Crags
Lingmell from the main path to Great End
Kirk Fell & Great Gable from the path to Great End
Great End - ordinarily I would have wandered over but the cold beer in The Scafell Hotel was calling me
Heading through Calf Cove towards Esk Hause with Esk Pike & Bowfell to the right
Esk Hause with Allen Crags over to the left and the Langdale Pikes to the right
Esk Hause - our return path is to the left
Looking back to Ill Crag from Esk Hause
Esk Pike from Esk Hause
At Grid Reference NY 22950 08674 the path splits - the left hand path continues on to Sprinkling Tarn & Sty Head whilst we were heading to the right which leads to Stockley Bridge & Seathwaite. Both paths can be used to return to the start.
Looking into Ruddy Gill
Glaramara
The path continues down towards Stockley Bridge alongside Grains Gill
Stockley Bridge - the packhorse bridge dates from the 18th Century
Looking back to Seathwaite Fell
Seathwaite Farm
From Seathwaite Farm we decided to return to Rosthwaite via the delightful path towards Thorneythwaite Farm rather than the boring trudge along the road
The route reaches the B5289 at Strands Bridge and crosses the road to head up the left hand side of the former miners cottages at Mountain View
Crossing Folly Bridge over the River Derwent
Passing through Johnny Wood the route reaches a tricky rocky section with chains to aid ones passage over the sometimes wet rock
Borrowdale Youth Hostel
Back at The Scafell Hotel - time for a pint. We were in illustrious company in the bar - the comedian John Bishop and a couple of his mates were enjoying a few beers having completed Day 2 of the Coast to Coast.
A tired but extremely contented Fudge after a cracking couple of days