Slight Side & Scafell - Wednesday 21 May 2014
Route
Wha House Farm - Dawsonground Crags - Horn Crag - Slight Side - Long Green - Scafell - Symonds Knott - Top of Mickledore - Scafell - Kettle Cove - Burnmoor Tarn - Lambford Bridge - Eel Tarn - Woolpack Inn - Wha House Farm
Parking
Small parking area opposite Wha House Farm (Free) - Grid Ref NY199009. Nearest postcode is CA19 1TH.
Mileage
11 miles
Terrain
Generally good moorland and mountain paths however the descent to Burnmoor Tarn is very rocky and care needs to be taken.
Weather
Sunny and warm with light breezes on the summits.
Time Taken
7hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
3894ft (1187m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Wha House Farm - Dawsonground Crags - Horn Crag - Slight Side - Long Green - Scafell - Symonds Knott - Top of Mickledore - Scafell - Kettle Cove - Burnmoor Tarn - Lambford Bridge - Eel Tarn - Woolpack Inn - Wha House Farm
Parking
Small parking area opposite Wha House Farm (Free) - Grid Ref NY199009. Nearest postcode is CA19 1TH.
Mileage
11 miles
Terrain
Generally good moorland and mountain paths however the descent to Burnmoor Tarn is very rocky and care needs to be taken.
Weather
Sunny and warm with light breezes on the summits.
Time Taken
7hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
3894ft (1187m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
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GPX File
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Walk Description
This was a walk we had been wanting to do for a while and as the weather looked promising we drove over to the beautiful valley of Eskdale to walk up Scafell from Wha House Farm. The start of the walk is from the car park opposite the farm entrance.
With improving visibility we made our way along the good path which was easy underfoot all the way to Slight Side - for the majority of the walk to Dawsonground Crags we were accompanied by a flock of sheep who seemed to be making sure we did not stray from the path! The summit of Slight Side gives glorious views over towards the Wasdale Fells and over to Scafell itself.
From Slight Side there is a short pull up to Long Green and another short steep section to attain the summit of Scafell itself. It is here that the views really opened up and we were treated to a superb Lakeland panorama that makes the long walk in from Eskdale all the more worthwhile. Eskdale itself is a beautiful area and it is amazing that on both the outward and inward route we saw hardly a soul until we arrived at the summit of Scafell.
It was a tad busy on the summit of Scafell therefore we walked over to Symonds Knott, the head of Deep Gill and the beginning of Mickledore which are 3 dramatic areas of the mountain. As we were approaching Deep Gill, a climber popped out of the chasm like a cork out of a bottle. Tempted as we were to drop down Mickledore to Foxes Tarn and climb up the Pike, we left that for another day and headed back to Scafell itself, which had become a lot quieter.
Leaving Scafell, the path down to Burnmoor Tarn needs care on its descent. Lots of large boulders and loose scree to negotiate but nothing too onerous providing you are careful and take your time. The tarn itself is idyllic and especially today with the sun glinting on the water. After Burnmoor Tarn there is simply a drop down to Eel Tarn and before long we arrived back at the Woolpack Inn and then made our way along the pass back to the car. Another superb walk in glorious conditions.
With improving visibility we made our way along the good path which was easy underfoot all the way to Slight Side - for the majority of the walk to Dawsonground Crags we were accompanied by a flock of sheep who seemed to be making sure we did not stray from the path! The summit of Slight Side gives glorious views over towards the Wasdale Fells and over to Scafell itself.
From Slight Side there is a short pull up to Long Green and another short steep section to attain the summit of Scafell itself. It is here that the views really opened up and we were treated to a superb Lakeland panorama that makes the long walk in from Eskdale all the more worthwhile. Eskdale itself is a beautiful area and it is amazing that on both the outward and inward route we saw hardly a soul until we arrived at the summit of Scafell.
It was a tad busy on the summit of Scafell therefore we walked over to Symonds Knott, the head of Deep Gill and the beginning of Mickledore which are 3 dramatic areas of the mountain. As we were approaching Deep Gill, a climber popped out of the chasm like a cork out of a bottle. Tempted as we were to drop down Mickledore to Foxes Tarn and climb up the Pike, we left that for another day and headed back to Scafell itself, which had become a lot quieter.
Leaving Scafell, the path down to Burnmoor Tarn needs care on its descent. Lots of large boulders and loose scree to negotiate but nothing too onerous providing you are careful and take your time. The tarn itself is idyllic and especially today with the sun glinting on the water. After Burnmoor Tarn there is simply a drop down to Eel Tarn and before long we arrived back at the Woolpack Inn and then made our way along the pass back to the car. Another superb walk in glorious conditions.
The parking area opposite Wha House Farm
Looking up the Hardknott Pass
With our 'pathfinders and pacemakers'
Heading up to Slight Side
No time to sit around Fudge - them there fells await
Who put that there? - Slight Side ahead
Looking back down the path to Harter Fell
Looking over to Bowfell & the Crinkles from Slight Side
Burnmoor Tarn, Illgill Head and Whin Rigg
The summit of Slight Side
Angie on Slight Side with Bowfell in the distance
Looking to Long Green with Scafell just under cloud
Gorilla in the mist on the ascent to Scafell - well only Dave thankfully
One man and his dog
Looking back to Long Green and Slight Side
Another view of Burnmoor Tarn - our route of descent
Bowfell and the Crinkles again from Scafell
Scafell Pike - our guess is that it would be busy up there today
Symonds Knott from the summit of Scafell
Great Gable with a cloudy hat on with Kirk Fell to the left
Great view over to Pillar, Wind Gap and Scoat Fell
Illgill Head and Wastwater
Yewbarrow with Seatallan left and the Pillar range to the right
Angie on Symonds Knott
Super view over to Great Gable and the slopes of Scafell Pike
The head of Deep Gill and Scafell Pinnacle
Dave on Symonds Knott
The cross of stones on Scafell
The route up to Scafell Pike out of Mickledore
Angie on Scafell looking to Scafell Pike
Kirk Fell with Pillar & Looking Stead to the left
Looking down at our descent to Burnmoor Tarn
Fudge looking underwhelmed on Scafell
Middle Fell, Seatallan and Wastwater
The tricky and stony descent off Scafell to Burnmoor Tarn
Seatallan and Middle Fell
Burnmoor Tarn
Crossing Bulatt Bridge
The descent to Wha House
The Woolpack it is!!