Eskdale via Slight Side up Slight Side: route map, distance and time
762 m · Cumbria
Slight Side is the southern shoulder of Scafell, a rocky top above Eskdale that gives the classic ascent of Scafell from Boot.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Wha House National Trust car park, Eskdale.
Eskdale via Slight Side starts at about 97 m and gains 635 m over 4.8 km to 732 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 146 m (15%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4.8 km, which climbs 212 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 4 km at about 33%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Eskdale via Slight Side at a glance
| Distance | 4.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 670 m |
| Climb on the track | 635 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 98 m to 732 m (summit 762 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Wha House National Trust car park, Eskdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 200 009 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 209 050 |
| Parking | Wha House National Trust car park, Eskdale |
Eskdale via Slight Side map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Eskdale via Slight Side GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Eskdale via Slight Side kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 243 m | +146 m | 15% | NY 206 016 |
| 2 km | 310 m | +67 m | 7% | NY 207 025 |
| 3 km | 367 m | +58 m | 6% | NY 206 035 |
| 4 km | 520 m | +153 m | 15% | NY 207 044 |
| 4.8 km | 732 m | +212 m | 28% steep | NY 209 049 |
How long Eskdale via Slight Side takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 45m |
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 14:08 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:06 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Slight Side summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Slight Side right now. The main Slight Side page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Slight Side forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Slight Side
Slight Side is the southern shoulder of Scafell, a rocky top above Eskdale that gives the classic ascent of Scafell from Boot. More about Slight Side, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Scafell (964 m), 1.5 km north
- Symonds Knott (959 m), 1.8 km north
- Scafell Pike (978 m), 2.3 km north
- Broad Crag (935 m), 2.7 km north
- Ill Crag (931 m), 2.7 km north-east
Challenges that include Slight Side
More walks from Wha House National Trust car park, Eskdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Eskdale via Slight Side up Scafell
Other routes up Slight Side
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boot via Eskdale Fell | 5.3 km one way | 608 m | 2h 5m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 200 009, the summit at NY 209 050), 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.
Eskdale via Slight Side: questions and answers
How far is Eskdale via Slight Side?
Eskdale via Slight Side is 4.8 km one way to the summit of Slight Side, with 670 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.6 km.
How long does Eskdale via Slight Side take?
About 2h 5m to the summit of Slight Side and 3h 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 3h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Eskdale via Slight Side?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 4 km from the start, and 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Eskdale via Slight Side climbs 635 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Eskdale via Slight Side?
Eskdale via Slight Side starts from Wha House National Trust car park, Eskdale. The grid reference is NY 200 009. Wha House National Trust car park, Eskdale
Is Eskdale via Slight Side 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 Boot via Eskdale Fell.
What time should I start Eskdale via Slight Side today?
By 14:08 at the latest. Sunset on Slight Side today is 18:08, Eskdale via Slight Side takes about 3h 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 Eskdale via Slight Side?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.