Cycle trip to climb Scafell Pike in the Cumbria

I have just been away for a long weekend to join Emily in Carnforth to do a cycle ride from Penrith to Borrowdale, climb Scafell Pike (the highest mountain in England, 978 m) by the Grain Gill route and descend by the Corridor route and then return to Penrith.

The first day was a matter of getting our cycles to Penrith courtesy of the dreaded Virgin Rail and then making a pleasant route on country roads, partly on the C2C (coast to coast cycle-way) to Keswick in the Lake District stopping at Greystoke and Keswick on route for refreshments. The weather wasn't great with rain and a headwind on the first part of the ride, but this gradually subsided as we progressed down to Borrowdale besides Derwent Water (the lake south of Keswick) to find the YHA at Borrowdale. This is in a splendid location set-off the road amongst woods and grazing sheep and only a few kilometres from the start of our climb from Seathwaite. The first night we stayed in the dorms as the campsite was full and enjoyed a beer, evening meal and cooked breakfast in the hostel.

Although the weather prediction had been good, we awoke to rain and cloud probably not unknown in this part of the country. This didn't put us off so we were soon in our wet gear and cycling south to Seathwaite to find the farm at the start of the walk along side Grain Gill to Stockley bridge where we crossed and then turned left to follow the stream to higher ground.

Walking in rain on a steady gradient alongside Grain Gill with the hills covered in cloud.

This slowly got steeper giving us good views of all the torrents gushing down to meet the gill. We eventually came to a "T" junction with the right hand branch going to Sprinkling Tarn and to the left our route, to the south-east making a diversion around Great End, a rock face in front of us that we could hardly make-out in the cloud. After a couple of hundred metres, we took the short-cut south to Esk Hause, a slightly slopping plateau at about 760 m, climbing steeply on a good track that has now become the main route. The position of Esk Hause is quite distinct with a huge cairne and obvious intersection of paths coming from Eskdale and Langdale. In the cloud we headed west to find a pass between Great End and Ill Crag coming to a chaotic rockfall which we navigated by compass and cairns with the occasional stumble. Although the rain had stopped, the wind was making our progress slow. We had come across a group of four who were doing the same route as us and making similar progress. When we neared a point were the route descends south-west near the summit of Broad Crag, I knew there was a sharp descent and then steep climb to the top of Scafell Pike. The descent to Broad Crag col was fairly short and well marked but the ascent, particularly in the mist, looked challenging with no obvious route at first. However, on getting closer we noticed a path to the side of the main ridge, although on loose scree, it allowed good hand holds on the rocks to the side.  We were soon facing the force of the wind as we approached the peak (or pike!) to find shelter and get some time to eat a sandwich.

Not a great view as we descended from the top to find the Corridor route and more pleasant conditions for a break.

Without our muscles moving and in face of the wind, we decided to move on hopefully to find the sunshine or at least dip below the cloud. This wasn't difficult as we needed a north-west followed by northerly direction to find the junction of the Wasdale and Corridor routes. The Wasdale path via Lingmell Beck is a popular route as we met more people ascending. Soon we got our first glimpse through the cloud and it wasn't long before we had fantastic views and could see the junction and start of the Corridor path back to Stockley Bridge.

Our first break in the cloud on our descent with a glimpse of Sprinkling Tarn below.

After this, the walk was brilliant with long distance views in every direction and its wasn't long before we took a break to finish lunch and to identify some of the peaks and valleys. The most obvious was Lingmell Beck down into Wasdale, Lingmell peak, Great Gable and Green Gable and Sprinkling Tarn. The Corridor route goes along the western flank of Ill Crag and Great End and gives great views of both Great and Green Gable and later both Sty Head Tarn and Borrowdale. The path itself is easy to follow and is not particularly exposed or technically difficult.

Start of the descent on the Corridor path crossing a gill falling to Lingmell Beck with Kirk Fell and the edge of Great Gable in view.

Looking north-west to Great Gable and Green Gable

View down to Lingmell Beck and the head of Wasdale.

There is one rock-step that looks difficult as you approach but it is obvious and well marked with plenty of hand and footholds for climbing. It is probably more daunting to descend, especially in cloud but not too difficult to climb up and adds a little more excitement!!

Emily on the start of the rock step.

We had rest break with clear views of the mountains and valleys before a windy ascent to Sty Head pass and great views of the Sty Head Tarn and Sty Head Gill, the route towards Seathwaite. There were a few people around here enjoying the scenery and may be a few making for the path to climb to the col between Great and Green Gable.

Sty Head tarn from the pass.

Our path back to Stockley Bridge was along the side of the tarn and then crossing the stream and following the gill down to a clump of trees with views opening up of Seathwaite and beyond.

View towards Seathwaite taken from the descent to Stockley Bridge and showing the junction of Grain Gill and Sty Head Gill. Our track to Seathwaite is visible on the far side of the valley.

Stockley Bridge, the start and finish of the loop to Scafell Pike.

Grain Gill in the sunshine and looking south, the route taken in the morning.

It was a pleasant walk along the track to find our cycles and return to the youth hostel for a welcome drink and meal. The last night we camped in the field next to the hostel and also made use of the drying room!
On the last day we had a leisurely start and cycled along the shore of Derwent Water to get refreshments in Keswick before heading to Trout Beck for lunch in the tea rooms. It was pleasant cycling in the sun on mainly small roads with little traffic and the bonus of an occasional rear wind.

Alan on the shore of Derwent Water.

After a short wait in the sunshine in Penrith for the train, we were soon back in Carnforth after a great outdoors weekend and feeling a lot fitter too !