Scafell via Lords Rake & the West Wall Traverse - Thursday 19 June 2025

Route 

Burnthwaite - Wasdale Head - Lingmell Gill - Brown Tongue - Lord's Rake - Scafell - Foxes Tarn - Foxes Tarn Gully - Mickledore - Rake's Progress - Lord's Rake - West Wall Traverse - Deep Gill - Symonds Knott - Brackenclose - Wasdale Head - Burnthwaite 

Parking

I started the walk from our accommodation at Burnthwaite Farm however there are various parking options at Wasdale Head including the Village Green (free). The Grid Reference is NY 18682 08508 and the nearest postcode is CA20 1EX.

Mileage

9 miles

Terrain

Please see the notes below which are of particular relevance to this walk. Other terrain related issues will be explained during the walk narrative.

Lord's Rake

Whilst a Grade 1 Scramble, Lord's Rake is steep and over loose scree therefore requires concentration.

​​West Wall Traverse

Whilst a Grade 1 Scramble, both the ascent of Lord's Rake & Deep Gill are steep, over loose scree and require concentration. The West Wall Traverse is exposed in places and needs careful negotiation.

Climbing Scafell via either or a combination of these routes is not recommended in ice and snow unless equipped and experienced in these conditions.

Weather

A very warm and sunny day with no wind - perfect

​Time Taken

7hrs 35mins

Total Ascent

4307ft (1313m)

Wainwrights

1

Map​

​​​OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
​
Walkers

Dave

GPX Files

​From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.

​Route Map

Burnthwaite Farm from the track down to the Green at Wasdale Head with Great Gable beyond & Sty Head to the right

We were staying in the holiday cottage at Burnthwaite therefore I started the walk from there

Wasdale Head with Yewbarrow towering above 

Mosedale with Red Pike to the left then Black Crag, Wind Gap & Pillar

Kirk Fell and the notorious ascent to the summit via Highnose Head

Buried in the churchyard is the famous fell runner and local sheep farmer Joss Naylor MBE who was born at Middle Row in Wasdale Head. Joss is considered the greatest fell runner of all time setting many long distance records. He became known as the "King of the Fells" or quite simply the "Iron Man".

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. 

The Village Green, Wasdale Head at 0900 - fairly quiet at the moment however give it half an hour..............................

From the Village Green the route heads along the road towards the bridge at Down in the Dale. Just before the bridge a pair of gates are reached on the left. The gate on the left leads to the tourist path for Scafell Pike whilst the one on the right heads for Brackenclose. Today I would be heading left - the path heads along the lower slopes of Lingmell and contours around the side of the mountain to meet the path coming up from Brackenclose.

The sun over Lingmell

The footbridge over Lingmell Beck

Looking down Lingmell Beck from the footbridge to Kirk Fell, Beck Head & Great Gable. Whilst the beck looks dry in places, there is water running under the stones.

Illgill Head & Wastwater from the path that contours around Lingmell's lower slopes

A Yewbarrow & Wastwater panorama

Glass like Wastwater

Scafell Pike now in view as I continue to contour around Lingmell above the gill

Looking down on the path coming up from Brackenclose. The walker that can be seen below heading back down is quite a famous face around these parts - I recognised her even from afar as Lindsay Buck, the Wasdale Womble. An article explaining Lindsay's amazing work can be found at this link here - she is an amazing lady. Sadly she was too far away from me in order to have a chat but I'll catch up with
her one day hopefully.

The junction of paths - left is the path coming up from Brackenclose with my path around the lower slopes of Lingmell to the right. I was now on the popular way to Scafell Pike known as the "tourist route" - a term I loathe.

Approaching the crossing of Lingmell Gill

The crossing over Lingmell Beck - easy enough today but when the gill is in spate this can be quite tricky 

Looking back down the tourist route from Lingmell Gill - above Wastwater are Buckbarrow, Middle Fell & Yewbarrow

Whilst I was crossing Lingmell Gill, Robbie was out on a short morning walk and apparently gorging on a smorgasbord of sheep shit

 At Grid Reference NY 20157 07230 the main path splits. Going left continues to Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones however I would be heading to the right on the Mickledore and Lord's Rake path. Once on the Mickledore path I was now on my own as other walkers I had passed or met earlier headed up the popular Hollow Stones route. Each time I leave this junction for Mickledore I am always conscious of people following me just in case they think I am heading for Hollow Stones.

Pulpit Rock & Mickledore Buttress to the left with the col of Mickledore centre. To the right are Scafell Crag & Shamrock which are separated by Lord's Rake which I would be cutting across to shortly.

Black Crag

Rakehead Crag

Looking across to Goat Crags on Lingmell with the Hollow Stones path below

The view back from the Mickledore path to Rakehead Crag, Middle Fell, Seatallan, Yewbarrow, Haycock, Red Pike & Pillar

The path passes between a large erratic - in Book 5 Wainwright refers to this rock as a "big boulder" in his description of the ascent from Wasdale Head (Scafell 10)

A large cairn at Grid Reference NY 20786 07019 marks the point at which the route to Lord's Rake is taken which is over to the right

A diagram of my route up to Lord's Rake starting from the large cairn. As Wainwright points out in Book 5, there are 3 ups and 2 downs when making a complete transit of Lord's Rake. The path known as Rake's Progress is the narrow, descending track from Mickledore and leads to the start of Lord's Rake. It is used to avoid climbing Broad Stand which is strictly off limits to walkers without the necessary climbing equipment. Today I would be utilising all paths - Rake's Progress, West Wall Traverse & Lord's Rake - it promised to be a fun day out.

For people who are maybe not too familiar with this area, Scafell Pike & Scafell are two completely different mountains

Pikes Crag, Pulpit Rock, Mickledore Buttress & Mickledore from the start of my ascent to the foot of Lord's Rake

The scree slope that leads to the foot of Lord's Rake which is over to the left. The terrain is hard going underfoot but thankfully from the cairn to the foot of the rake is only 300 yards.

Lingmell with the zig zagging Hollow Stones path below as a party of walkers head to Mickledore

Mickledore - I would be up there later but approaching it from the other side

At the entrance to Lord's Rake is a cross which has been cut into the rock face. The cross marks the site of a tragic accident which happened on 23 September 1903 when 4 climbers fell to their deaths attempting to make a new direct route to Hopkinson's Cairn on Scafell Pinnacle.

The start of Lord's Rake. I always find that the best route of ascent is to start on the left and then cut across the scree to the right hand side where the going is a bit easier.  In 2002 there was a serious rockfall which left a massive block of stone balanced precariously across the first col at the top of the rake (just above the path to the West Wall Traverse). Walkers and climbers were advised not to use the rake or the West Wall Traverse while it remained in situ as it was badly cracked.  The block finally collapsed in 2016 and broke into several pieces which now lie in the bed of the rake.   
​
​It is worthy of note that when making an ascent of Lord's Rake in a group of 2 or more then it is important to be wary of loose stone cascading down on unsuspecting walkers behind.

Rake's Progress from the foot of Lord's Rake - this would be my route over from Mickledore later

Pikes Crag, Pulpit Rock & Mickledore Buttress from the foot of Lord's Rake. My route of ascent to this point is over to the left with Rake's Progress coming in from the right.

Up I go on the ascent of Lord's Rake - after initially keeping to the left, I crossed over to the right at this point

Looking back down Lord's Rake as I make my way to the first col

A little higher up and the view over to Scafell Pike beyond Mickledore really opens out

Reaching the first col on Lord's Rake at Grid Reference NY 20717 06853. The large lump of rock in the foreground is part of the chock stone mentioned earlier. The path heading to the right here is the West Wall Traverse which later joins Deep Gill.  For now I will be carrying on along Lord's Rake (behind me) although later on in the walk I will be heading up the West Wall Traverse.

From the first col there is a short descent which then leads to a loose stone path up to the second col ahead

Getting right in the face of the rocks at the second col with Mickledore & Scafell Pike beyond

Scafell Pike over the second col

From the second col there is the final descent into what Wainwright described as a stony ampitheatre. The final climb to the end of Lord's Rake is now ahead and whilst it looks impossible to climb up from here, there is a path immediately to the left of the scree chute.

The glorious panorama from near the exit of Lord's Rake

Looking down into the stone ampitheatre and the second col from the top of Lord's Rake

The top of Lord's Rake is at Grid Reference NY 20497 06826 and gives a grand view over to Burnmoor Tarn, Illgill Head & Wastwater

Another absolutely superb panorama from the top of Lord's Rake

From the top of Lord's Rake the route heads over a pleasant gradient towards the col between Scafell & Symonds Knott. On my way up I wandered over to the left to peer down one of the many gullies in and around this area.

Reaching the cross of stones in the col between Scafell & Symonds Knott. As of yet I have been unable to research any information as to the origins of the cross. 

Bowfell & Crinkle Crags across Upper Eskdale from the start of the path to Foxes Tarn. I would be heading down there shortly but first I would be making the short transit up on to Scafell's summit.

Looking to Symonds Knott & Scafell Pike from the approach to Scafell

The summit of Scafell looking north east

Scafell's summit ridge and wind shelter from the cairn - this view is looking south towards Eskdale

Having climbed Scafell I retraced my steps back to the cross of stones and before reaching it branched off right to the start of the Foxes Tarn path

In descent the path down to Foxes Tarn is steep and precarious over loose scree for the most part. Having descended here many times, I always keep well over to the left, utilising as much of the grassy terrain as possible. Foxes Tarn can just about be seen below.

Foxes Tarn can be seen more clearly now as I pick my way down the grassy terrain to join the scree for the last part of the descent

Foxes Tarn - or Foxes Puddle as it is sometimes referred to

Looking back at my descent from the col - as can be seen here there is a lot of loose stone to negotiate therefore I stayed over to the right hand side (left hand side coming down) as I could. In ascent, this path and the scree is easy enough to negotiate.

After a break for lunch I was now ready to tackle Foxes Gully, the path for which starts from this large stone

From the stone the path descends gently at first over loose stone - Scafell Pike can be seen beyond

Now the fun starts as I pick my way down Foxes Gully - not much water in it therefore it was a fairly easy climb down. As the bottom of the gully is approached the terrain requires the use of the "arse crampon" but other than that it is great fun.

Looking back up Foxes Gully - up or down this is an excellent way to/from Scafell

Upper Eskdale from the base of Foxes Gully

From the base of Foxes Gully I was now off to Mickledore which is the narrow ridge connecting the mountains of Scafell and Scafell Pike.  It is also a pass between the valleys of Wasdale and Eskdale. The name means "Great Door".

There are two routes to Mickledore from the bottom of Foxes Gully and they basically run parallel to each other. In order to avoid losing height, I stayed to the left and hugged the base of Broad Stand until reaching the ridge.

A climber on Broad Stand - rather you than me pal!

Nearing Mickledore the path passes through a rocky gateway

Looking back down my route up from Foxes Gully as I enter the rocky gateway

Reaching Mickledore and the start of Rake's Progress which would take me to the foot of Lord's Rake for the second time today

The ridge and pass of Mickledore and the route to Scafell Pike.  The keen eyed among you will be able to make out the Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box which is located on the ridge.

Broad Stand from the top of Rake's Progress - on no account should a short cut attempt be made to climb Scafell from here. It is strictly off limits for walkers and should only be attempted by experienced climbers with the appropriate equipment.

The transit along Rake's Progress to Lord's Rake - the path I took earlier up to the foot of the rake can be seen on the right

Looking back up to Mickledore from Rake's Progress. The terrain is loose in places but is not technical - you just need to be careful and take your time.

Here we are - Lord's Rake for the second time today and still nobody here

As I was approaching the first col and the start of the West Wall Traverse I could see climbers making an ascent of Scafell Pinnacle

From the first col I started the transit of the West Wall Traverse. The route is exposed in places and it is simply a question of respecting the terrain and taking your time.

Looking back to the first col on Lord's Rake

Pikes Crag, Pulpit Rock & Mickledore Buttress blend into one lump of rock as I look across Mickledore to Scafell Pike

As I rounded the bend towards Deep Gill, I had a really good view of the climbers as they ascended Scafell Pinnacle - we had a brief chat as I passed them however I was careful not to break their concentration.

Looking back along the West Wall Traverse to Mosedale with Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Pillar & Kirk Fell now visible

The upper reaches of Scafell Pinnacle

The end of the West Wall Traverse - I had exited from the left and was now in Deep Gill, the lower reaches of which are below me.

The start of the climb out of Deep Gill - steep and over loose stone therefore I took my time

Kirk Fell from Deep Gill with Pillar & Grasmoor distant

When the top of Deep Gill is reached there are two exit points. I chose the left hand exit seen here as whilst extremely steep, it has better hand holds. The right hand exit, whilst wider is over loose earth and rock.

Exiting Deep Gill like a cork out of a bottle to be greeted by the fantastic view of Scafell Pinnacle with Pisgah to the right

Symonds Knott form the exit of Deep Gill

A closer view of Scafell Pinnacle & Pisgah with Great Gable over Lingmell to the rear

The summit of Symonds Knott looking to Scafell Pike

It is worth wandering a few yards to the north east from the summit of Symonds Knott to capture this fantastic view over to Scafell Pinnacle & Pisgah. From here the route from Mickledore to Scafell Pike can clearly be seen.

From Symonds Knott I headed back towards Scafell to Grid Reference NY 20685 06517 which is the start of the path I would take back to Wasdale Head via Kettle Cove 

Descending back to Wasdale - this path is extremely steep and over loose scree therefore once again I really took my time

Burnmoor Tarn to the left, Illgill Head & Wastwater ahead as the steepness abates and the terrain becomes lovely soft grass

Lots of Eriophorum (Cotton Grass) about as I continue my descent. By this stage I was dropping down on pathless terrain to join up with the path coming in from Burnmoor Tarn which would take me back to Wasdale Head via Brackenclose. The hill distant left is Harter Fell.

Almost reaching the path now as Yewbarrow comes into view with Middle Fell over to the left

Now on the path back to Wasdale the route passes the old peat huts by Fence Wood

Holland Bridge over Hollow Gill

After a fabulous day on one of Lakeland's classic routes there is nothing better than a nice pint - this time courtesy of The Wasdale Head Inn.............

......... and also to have the company of the latest member of our family

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