Lake District National Park, Wasdale, Cumbria, England
Scafell Pike at 978 m is the summit of England. It sits in the western Lake District, one of the wettest corners of the country, where weather can switch from clear to dangerous within the hour. RambleMetric gives you the numbers before you start the climb.
About Scafell Pike
RambleMetric is a real-time conditions app built for inland walkers. It combines live weather, summit wind, ground conditions, visibility and path state into a single Visit Score — essential planning for England's highest and most demanding mountain.
Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain at 978 m. It is a serious fell walk requiring navigation skills, appropriate clothing and equipment in all seasons. Mountain rescue callouts on Scafell Pike are among the highest in England. Summit conditions are substantially more severe than valley readings. Data shown is gathered from third-party sources and may not reflect current summit conditions.
Walking Routes
Check the live Visit Score before you set out — conditions here change fast.
From Wasdale Head NT car park via Brown Tongue — the shortest route to England's highest summit. Rocky and steep above 700 m. The summit boulder field requires careful navigation in cloud. Full waterproofs and navigation gear essential.
The most-walked approach, from Seathwaite Farm in Borrowdale. Longer than the Wasdale route but exceptionally scenic — passing Sty Head Tarn and the famous Corridor above Spouthead Gill. Return by the same path or arrange transport between valleys.
Key Features
England's highest point at 978 m. The summit is a broad boulder field with a trig point, OS column and war memorial cairn. Views extend to Scotland, Wales and Ireland on exceptional days — but cloud is far more common.
The dramatic col between Scafell Pike and Scafell (964m). Broad Stand — the scrambling descent to Scafell — is climbers-only territory without a rope. The path down the east side is safer but exposed.
England's deepest lake at 79m, with screes plunging directly from Illgill Head into the water on the southern shore. The view from Wasdale Head — lake, screes, Great Gable and Scafell Pike — is voted Britain's favourite view.
A remote 16th-century inn at the head of the valley — the birthplace of British rock climbing. Climbers first scaled these fells in the 1880s from this inn. Bar food and real ale at the end of the day.
Live Data
All data is fetched from authoritative UK sources and recalculated every few minutes.
Safety Information
Always carry a 1:25,000 OS map and compass — GPS batteries fail in cold. The summit plateau is a boulder field and navigation is complex in cloud. Summit temperature is typically 6–10°C lower than Wasdale valley. Wasdale Head is extremely remote — the nearest hospital is in Whitehaven (45 min). Seathwaite (Borrowdale) receives up to 3,500mm of rain per year — one of the wettest places in England. Do not attempt the Broad Stand route from Mickledore without a rope. Tell someone your route and expected return time before you leave.
All data, scores and recommendations are for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for safety decisions. The Visit Score is an algorithmic estimate — it is not a substitute for your own judgement, local knowledge or official guidance.
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