Ennerdale via Steeple up Scoat Fell: route map, distance and time
841 m · Cumbria
Scoat Fell is a high, stony fell in the western Lakes at the head of Mosedale, with a stone wall across its summit and the pointed Steeple close by.
Walk through the forest along Ennerdale, climb to Steeple and cross the short, narrow ridge to Scoat Fell.
Ennerdale via Steeple at a glance
| Distance | 8.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 765 m |
| Time up | 2h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 112 155 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 159 113 |
Ennerdale via Steeple 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
How long Ennerdale via Steeple takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 35m | 5h 40m |
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 12:33 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 12:31 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Scoat Fell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 12 mph gusting 15 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 44 mph gusting 55 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Ennerdale via Steeple: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Scoat Fell forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell?
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 -5°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 Scoat Fell
Scoat Fell is a high, stony fell in the western Lakes at the head of Mosedale, with a stone wall across its summit and the pointed Steeple close by. More about Scoat Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Steeple (819 m), 0.3 km north-west
- Black Crag (828 m), 0.7 km north-east
- Red Pike (826 m), 1 km south-east
- Pillar (892 m), 1.4 km north-east
- Haycock (797 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Pillar Rock (780 m), 1.6 km north-east
Challenges that include Scoat Fell
More walks from Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd up Great Borne
- Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd up Red Pike
- Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd up Starling Dodd
- Ennerdale via the north ridge up Steeple
Other routes up Scoat Fell
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasdale Head via Mosedale and Wind Gap | 5.2 km one way | 841 m | 2h 25m | Moderate |
| Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head | 5.9 km one way | 820 m | 2h 35m | Hard |
| Ennerdale western fell walking paths | 9.5 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 112 155, the summit at NY 159 113), 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.
Ennerdale via Steeple: questions and answers
How far is Ennerdale via Steeple?
Ennerdale via Steeple is 8.2 km one way to the summit of Scoat Fell, with 765 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.4 km.
How long does Ennerdale via Steeple take?
About 2h 55m to the summit of Scoat Fell and 4h 35m 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 5h 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ennerdale via Steeple?
Ennerdale via Steeple starts from Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale. The grid reference is NY 112 155.
Is Ennerdale via Steeple suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Wasdale Head via Mosedale and Wind Gap.
What time should I start Ennerdale via Steeple today?
By 12:33 at the latest. Sunset on Scoat Fell today is 18:08, Ennerdale via Steeple takes about 4h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ennerdale via Steeple?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).