Slight Side & Sca Fell

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Slight Side (4.9 km, 676 m)

   Climb of about 676 m over 4.9 km (around 14% average).

   Starting from the remote Eskdale valley (typically the Brotherilkeld or Wha House parking areas), this route begins with a long, steady ascent out of the valley floor. The path climbs through the fern-choked intake walls before breaking out onto the sprawling, open moorland of the lower southern fells. The terrain here is a mix of tussocky grass and notorious bogs. As you gain elevation, the grassy slopes give way to a rugged, shattered spine of rock, culminating in the steep, boulder-strewn scramble to the prominent, spikey summit of Slight Side.

   Waypoints

   Brotherilkeld / Wha House (approx. 70m): The valley-bottom starting area in upper Eskdale. Taw House / Intake Walls: The boundary between the valley farmland and the open, wild fell. Quagrigg Moss: The expansive, boggy plateau on the lower approach. Slight Side Summit (762m): A sharply defined, rocky pinnacle requiring a brief, hands-on scramble to reach the top.

   Decision point

   The Ridge Spine: Once you clear the bogs, the rocky crest leading up to Slight Side becomes highly distinct. Aim directly for the rocky prominence on the skyline. Valley Handrail: The immense, flat trench of the River Esk remains far below you to your right (east), keeping you oriented as you climb north.

   Easy to get wrong

   The Eskdale Bogs: The lower moorland sections (especially around Quagrigg Moss) are relentlessly wet. After heavy rain, this section is a sluggish, energy-sapping slog through deep peat and standing water. Summer Bracken: The lower slopes are infested with dense bracken from June to September, completely obscuring the path in places and hiding deep mud and ankle-rolling rocks. Boulder Scramble: The final 100 meters to the summit of Slight Side is a chaotic jumble of boulders that can be incredibly slick in wet weather.

   If you need to get off

   Before hitting the rocky summit of Slight Side, simply turn 180 degrees and follow the grassy slopes back down to the intake walls and the Eskdale road.

2. 2

   Slight Side → Scafell (1.7 km, 214 m)

   Climb of about 214 m over 1.7 km (around 13% average).

   This is a spectacular, high-mountain traverse across a lunar landscape. From Slight Side, the route dips gently into a shallow, rocky depression before beginning the sustained climb up the southern shoulder of Scafell. The terrain here is almost entirely shattered rock, scree, and boulders. There is no grassy respite. The route threads its way upward, finally emerging onto the vast, stony plateau of England’s second-highest peak.

   Waypoints

   The Depression: The minor saddle connecting Slight Side to the main Scafell massif. Scafell Summit (964m): A sprawling, boulder-strewn plateau marked by a large stone cross-shelter and a trig pillar sitting near the edge of terrifying drops.

   Decision point

   Cairns: A sporadic line of cairns marks the usual route through the boulder field, but they can easily be lost in the mist. Compass Bearings: If the clag is down, you must walk on a strict northerly bearing from Slight Side to hit the summit shelter.

   Easy to get wrong

   Ankle-Breaking Terrain: The entire 1.7km stretch is a boulder hop. It demands constant concentration and is brutal on the joints. Clag Navigation: The Scafell plateau is massive, featureless, and lethal in low visibility. The northern and eastern edges are bordered by Scafell Crag—sheer, fatal drops that plunge hundreds of feet. Exposure: At over 900 meters, this exposed plateau takes the full, uninterrupted force of any weather fronts blowing in off the Irish Sea. Do NOT attempt to bail north or east from the Scafell plateau. The eastern edge drops vertically into Deep Gill, and the northern edge terminates at Broad Stand—a notorious accident blackspot that requires rock climbing gear to descend.

   If you need to get off

   Retreat: If the weather turns violently, retrace your steps south back to Slight Side to use the Eskdale descent.

3. Scafell → Finish (8.4 km, 57 m)

   Descent of about 871 m, with about 57 m of climbing, over 8.4 km.

   To complete this epic circuit back to Eskdale, the route avoids the deadly Broad Stand by utilizing the Foxes Tarn descent. From the summit, you must navigate carefully south-east to find the top of the Foxes Tarn gully. The descent is a steep, wet scramble down a broken rock chute. Passing the tiny puddle of Foxes Tarn, the path drops aggressively down a scree slope beside Cam Spout waterfall, depositing you onto the Great Moss. The remainder of the hike is a massive, undulating 5-kilometre walk-out along the River Esk, threading through the remote Upper Eskdale valley to return to Brotherilkeld.

   Waypoints

   Foxes Tarn Gully: The steep, wet, rocky chute providing the only non-climbing descent off the eastern side of Scafell. Foxes Tarn (680m): One of the smallest and highest tarns in the Lake District, often little more than a muddy puddle. Cam Spout: A dramatic waterfall marking the end of the steep descent. Great Moss: A vast, flat, and famously boggy basin at the head of the River Esk. Lingcove Bridge: An iconic packhorse bridge marking the return to established farm tracks. Brotherilkeld: The finish point.

   Decision point

   The River Esk: Once you reach Cam Spout and the Great Moss, the River Esk becomes your handrail for the rest of the day. Keep the river on your left, follow it south-west down the valley, and it will eventually lead you directly back to the road at Brotherilkeld.

   Easy to get wrong

   Foxes Tarn Gully: This is a notorious bottleneck. It is steep, requires using your hands, and is almost always running with water. It is treacherous when icy and highly slick when wet. The Great Moss: True to its name, this is a colossal bog. Finding a dry path across it is impossible; expect your boots to be submerged. Endurance: 8.4 km of descent and valley walking on tired legs is a massive undertaking. The path alongside the River Esk is incredibly rocky and uneven, making it a grueling end to a big day.

   If you need to get off

   Once you commit to the descent down the Foxes Tarn gully, you are locked into the Upper Eskdale exit. This is a highly remote valley with no phone signal and no quick way out. Pace yourself, stick to the river, and do not attempt to climb the valley walls (Hard Knott or the Scafell massif) once you are on the valley floor.