A difficult route in Southern Fells. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: National Trust campsite, Eskdale (NY 177 009)
Terrain: Lanes, winding path, path splits (right fork), boggy around Eel Tarn (pick route), wild walking through crags (path hard to find, easy to lose), open boggy ground, water crossings (down step and up), clear path final half mile, steep clear path through Horn Crag col, doubling back to summit, descent into col, climb to Scafell, faint path descending, rocky and steep contouring, unmarked but clear path, boggy ground approaching Burnmoor Tarn, footbridge, paths keeping left of Eskdale Moor, tracks improving, retrace to start.
This is an outstanding circular walk from Eskdale taking in Slight Side and Scafell - Wainwrights #213 and #214, completing the entire set of 214. I wanted my final Wainwright to be special, choosing Scafell - just 14 metres lower than its big sister Scafell Pike but with the same views and only a handful of hikers to share them with instead of crowds. The route involves wild walking where paths are hard to find and easy to lose through crags, though the ground proves manageable with clear sight lines to navigate towards targets. The last half mile to Slight Side offers clear paths and opening views of the Coniston Fells before the steep climb through Horn Crag col, doubling back to reach Wainwright #213. The final Wainwright stood in full view alongside Scafell Pike, Ill Crag, Broad Crag, Esk Pike, Bowfell Pike, Crinkle Crags, and 50+ more fells - the route couldn't be clearer descending the col and climbing Long Green to Scafell's summit. One of the most amazing walking moments of my life was the walk from Slight Side to Scafell, completing the set. Almost alone on the summit with amazing views better than I'd had on numerous Scafell Pike visits, with Symonds Knott Nuttall visited just because it was there. The descent involves navigation challenges - turning right at the col proved to be too far right, requiring contouring across rocky steep ground to pick up the unmarked but clear path past Hard Rigg with amazing Wasdale Fells views. Though it wasn't the most efficient Lakes walk, it was probably just by a whisker my favourite. Sounds technical, but with clear sight lines to targets, navigation proves straightforward even when paths are lost.