This week's route is a photogenic stunner and an alternative to the usual slogs up England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Enjoy.
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Cockley Beck > Great Moss
> Scafell Pike > Esk Hause > Bowfell > Wrynose
Pass
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Distance: 11.3 Miles (18.3
Km)
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Height Gain: 4245 feet (1294 metres)
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Overview: A classic circuit of
Lakeland peaks via Great Moss
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Maps: Ordnance Survey OL6
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Overall Grade: 4
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Start Point:
NY 241 017 - Cockley
Beck
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There are many ways up England's highest mountain, Scafell
Pike, from the classic Wasdale Head approach to the western
approaches via Esk Hause. This circular route takes the lesser used,
but stunning, southern approach from the Wrynose Pass up Moasdale to
Great Moss.
Along with your usual kit you'll need to take a camera, as the
views across Great Moss to Scafell and Scafell Pike to the East, and
Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags to the West, are amongst the most
photogenic in the country.
Depending on your energy levels, and time available, there are a
wide variety of possible extensions to the route, and a couple of
quick exits if it's all getting a bit much. Another alternative is to
split the walk in two, with a wild camp at either Great Moss or Angle
Tarn, and add in Scafell and Crinkle Crags to the route.
Section 1 - Cockley Beck to Great Moss
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Length: 3.25 miles (5.23
Km)
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Height Gain: 568 Ft (308
m)
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Park at the
layby
at Cockley Beck on the Wrynose Pass, next to a wooden signpost marked
"Moasdale". From here take the slowly rising track North West, and
follow it past Dod Pike on your left, to join Moasdale Beck.
The path now turns North East, following the beck uphill towards
the skyline. Stick to the left hand side of the valley, about a third
of the way up, to avoid the most boggy sections. As you progress up
the valley the view opens up ahead of you, with Scafell Pike, Broad
Crag, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags showing what lies ahead.
As you approach the head of Moasdale aim slightly to the right for
the gate in the electric fence, then drop down the obvious track to a
crossing point over Lingcove Beck (NY
234 043). A feint track now leads North West, with stunning views
down Upper Eskdale to the left, before curving round the west end of
Scar Lathing.
Now the track drops downhill into the wide expanse of Great Moss
-above - with the whole Scafell Range ahead. Pick out the waterfall
of Cam Spout, and take a course straight across the valley to where
the streams meet at NY220
056 . Now follow the obvious track up the right hand side of How
Beck to a crossroads in the paths.
Section 2 - Great Moss to Scafell Pike
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Length: 1.81 Miles
(2.91Km)
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Height Gain: 568 Ft (308
m)
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From the crossroads turn right (North East) towards Esk Hause
for nearly 3/4 of a mile, to the obvious opening of Little Narrowcove
at NY227
065, where a large stream descends. Turn left, up Little
Narrowcove, which climbs 1600ft between the impressive cliffs of Dow
Crag and Ill Crag to reach a scree slope on the final approach to
Broad Crag.
The path emerges at a small col between Braod Crag and Scafell
Pike, and a left turn here leaves you just 400 yards to the summit of
England's highest peak. From here, on a good day, the views are truly
outstanding with the coasts of Ireland and Wales way over to the west
beyond Wastwater.
Section 3 - Scafell Pike to Esk Hause
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Length: 1.31 Miles (2.1
Km)
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Height Gain: 165Ft (50
m)
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From the summit of Scafell Pike (977 metres) you have to retrace your
steps North East to the col, then up the short climb to Broad Crag
before descending the obvious track to where it splits at NY224
080. Here you have the option of an ascent to take in the
Wainwright of Great End by taking the left hand branch or continue
down the right hand branch directly to Esk Hause, a col at the head
of Great Moss that acts as the crossroads for mutiple routes to the
Scafell range.
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Esk Pike and Bowfell seen
from Esk Hause -
Bigger!
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Section 4 - Esk Hause to Bowfell
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Length: 1.43 Miles (2.31
Km)
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Height Gain: 812 Ft
(248m)
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From Esk Hause (NY
232 080) the path to Bowfell heads South East up the steep slopes
of Esk Pike, before dropping again to the col at Ore Gap. Ore Gap is
another popular crossroads, similar to Esk Hause, and a left turn
here would take you to Angle Tarn - a well known wild camp site.
Instead, carry on straight ahead up the initially steep slopes of
Bowfell, before the ridge flattens out as it passes Bowfell Butress
and views down to Langdale. A final slope leads to the summit of
Bowfell.
Section 5 - Bowfell to Wrynose Pass
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Length: 3.58 Miles (5.76
Km)
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Height Gain: 189 Ft (57
m)
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This is the longest leg of the route, but with the major
climbs all behind you it's a good time to take in the views. To the
west you have the whole Scafell range laid out before you, and to the
east you have a classic view of the Langdale Pikes.
The path bears left (East) before a sharp right (South) turn which
leads downhill to Three Tarns, another fine wild camp site. Go
straight ahead at the multiple junction at NY240
060, then take the right hand branch where the path splits again
at NY
248 059 - the path that leads downhill, as opposed to the two
that lead uphill.
Follow the path downhill to the South West to where it meets
Lingcove beck and splits again at NY234
042. Here the valley flattens out, and you follow the left hand
branch alongside the beck to the crossing point used on the outward
journey. Another short climb brings you once again to the gate in the
electric fence and your straightforward return down the length of
Moasdale and your starting point.
