Boot via Slight Side up Scafell: route map, distance and time
964 m · Lake District
Scafell is England's second-highest summit, a craggy fell across Mickledore from Scafell Pike, climbed from Wasdale or Eskdale and avoided by its dangerous Broad Stand.
A long grassy approach crosses Eskdale Fell to Slight Side, then a rocky ridge leads north to the summit.
Boot via Slight Side at a glance
| Distance | 8.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 968 m |
| Time up | 3h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Boot, Eskdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 176 010 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 206 064 |
Boot via Slight Side map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Boot Inn0.0 km
- Brook House Inn0.2 km
- Woolpack Inn1.4 km
- Fellbites Cafe0.4 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Eskdale Campsite0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Boot via Slight Side takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 5h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 0m | 6h 10m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 12:08 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 12:06 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Scafell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 21 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 51% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Boot via Slight Side: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 21 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 7% (Low), best around 04:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Scafell forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Scafell?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Scafell
Scafell is England's second-highest summit, a craggy fell across Mickledore from Scafell Pike, climbed from Wasdale or Eskdale and avoided by its dangerous Broad Stand. More about Scafell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Symonds Knott (959 m), 0.3 km north
- Scafell Pike (978 m), 1.1 km north-east
- Slight Side (762 m), 1.5 km south
- Broad Crag (935 m), 1.6 km north-east
- Lingmell (807 m), 1.7 km north
- Middleboot Knotts (703 m), 1.7 km north
Challenges that include Scafell
- Lake District 3000ers · 4
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
Other routes up Scafell
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasdale Head via Green How | 4.5 km one way | 917 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
| Eskdale via Slight Side | 6.5 km one way | 880 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 176 010, the summit at NY 206 064), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Boot via Slight Side: questions and answers
How far is Boot via Slight Side?
Boot via Slight Side is 8.4 km one way to the summit of Scafell, with 968 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.8 km.
How long does Boot via Slight Side take?
About 3h 20m to the summit of Scafell and 5h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 6h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Boot via Slight Side?
Boot via Slight Side starts from Boot, Eskdale. The grid reference is NY 176 010.
Is Boot via Slight Side suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Boot via Slight Side today?
By 12:08 at the latest. Sunset on Scafell today is 18:08, Boot via Slight Side takes about 5h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Boot via Slight Side?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).