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Walk up Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Borrowdale

By Dave Roberts   

on October 3, 2018    4.6/5 (5)

Posted as a walk in – England, Europe, Lake District National Park, Lake District's Southern Fells

Walk up Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Borrowdale

Route Essentials

Route Summary

The Corridor Route is one of the most impressive routes in the entire Lake District, a must on any hill-walkers list.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

14.85 km

Ascent

980 m

Time

3.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Seathwaite Farm - Scafell Pike

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Paths are generally well-defined but can become indistinct on occasions. The summit plateau of Scafell Pike can be confusing in the mist so good navigation is essential. A couple of short, rock steps will need to negotiate along the Corridor Route; one at Skew Gill and one at Greta Gill.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Lake District Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Borrowdale Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Borrowdale

Scafell Pike from Seathwaite in Borrowdale via the Corridor Route is a classic Lakeland fell walk. This is a full walk and returns over Broad Crag, Ill Crag and Great End before a descent via Grain’s Gill. It’s a decent 15km walk, which should take somewhere between 6 and 8 hours to enjoy. If you’re a seasoned hill walker, then we can only recommend that you consider this route over the easier and less interesting Wasdale route. Not only does it provide much more challenge, you can also bag a few more of the big Lakeland peaks on the way.

Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route from Seathwaite in Borrowdale

This is a full day’s commitment, but it’s worth it to tackle what could be the best day out on Scafell Pike (that doesn’t include Scafell!). This walk initially follows the infant River Derwent before heading off up the tributary of Styhead Gill and onwards to Styhead Tarn.

1 Scafell Pike (978 metres) The Highest Mountains In England - The Top 25

From Styhead Tarn, where it’s almost compulsory to take a mid-morning break, the route continues by following the one and only Corridor Route. The Corridor route involves a few short sections of scrambling, and is a nicely challenging route. Ther’s one section – in the image below pictured in the reverse direction – that some call the Corridor Route “bad step” – but is hardly worthy of calling a scramble if your’e a seasoned mountaineer. Those with less experience however, will need to be aware of this bad step, as we’ve passed groups on here where they’ve had difficulty getting a party member up.

Finally, the path joins up with the masses walking up from Wasdale as it ascends the final track to the summit of Scafell Pike.

From the summit of Scafell Pike, the route returns via the summits of Broad Crag, Ill Crag, including a dog leg section to bag Great End and then down to the col at Esk House. The route continues by descending Grain’s Gill before rejoingin the path to where you started off at Seatoller. You could alternatively descend from Esk Hause via Sprinkling Tarn to rejoin the route at Styhead Tarn, following the same path to the end that you set off on this morning.

Click here to view the full description on Walk up Scafell Pike or for more suggestions, read our in-depth article on All the Walking Routes up Scafell Pike.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

The Corridor Route is one of the most impressive routes in the entire Lake District, a must on any hill-walkers list.

This walk includes the 2 Wainwrights of Scafell Pike, Great End

This walk includes the 4 Hewitts of Scafell Pike, Ill Crag, Broad Crag, Great End

This walk includes the 4 Nuttalls of Scafell Pike, Ill Crag, Broad Crag, Great End

Route Start Location: Seathwaite Farm - Scafell Pike

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
14.85 km 980 m 3.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Camp site at start with pubs in Borrowdale. Toilet block at Seathwaite Farm

Hazards

Paths are generally well-defined but can become indistinct on occasions. The summit plateau of Scafell Pike can be confusing in the mist so good navigation is essential. A couple of short, rock steps will need to negotiate along the Corridor Route; one at Skew Gill and one at Greta Gill.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : CA12 5XJ

Free parking is available along the roadside to Seathwaite Farm. If it’s busy, make sure to leave enough room for passing vehicles – including farm vehicles and trailers or emergency vehicles. Try to avoid parking on both sides of the road – there is an alternative car park in Seatoller.

Public Transport:

Though no public transport runs into Seathwaite, it is possible to get buses to Seatoller. The 78 runs an hourly service from Keswick to Seatoller (half hourly at weekends) while the 77/77A ‘Honister Rambler’ also calls at Seatoller every hour.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Lake District Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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