Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell up Steeple: route map, distance and time
819 m · Cumbria
Steeple is a pointed rocky top beside Scoat Fell, rising from Ennerdale with a narrow ridge linking it to the main fell.
Climb Mosedale to Wind Gap and Scoat Fell, then cross the short narrow ridge to Steeple.
Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell at a glance
| Distance | 5.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 808 m |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wasdale Head (National Trust car park) |
| Start grid reference | NY 186 087 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 157 116 |
Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell 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
- Wasdale Head Inn0.1 km
- Public toilets1.3 km
- Public toilets1.4 km
- Wasdale Head Campsite0.1 km
- Wasdale Campsite1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 20m |
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 13:33 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:31 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Steeple 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 43 mph gusting 53 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Steeple forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Steeple?
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 Steeple
Steeple is a pointed rocky top beside Scoat Fell, rising from Ennerdale with a narrow ridge linking it to the main fell. More about Steeple, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Scoat Fell (841 m), 0.3 km south-east
- Black Crag (828 m), 0.8 km east
- Red Pike (826 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Pillar (892 m), 1.4 km east
- Haycock (797 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Pillar Rock (780 m), 1.6 km north-east
Challenges that include Steeple
More walks from Wasdale Head
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wasdale Head via Sty Head up Great Gable
- Wasdale Head via the Burnmoor corpse road up Illgill Head
- Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass up Kirk Fell
- Wasdale Head direct up Kirk Fell
- Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue up Lingmell
- Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass up Pillar
- High Level Route up Pillar
- Wasdale Head via Dore Head up Red Pike
- Wasdale Head via Green How up Scafell
- Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue up Scafell Pike
- Wasdale Head via Mosedale and Wind Gap up Scoat Fell
- Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag up Yewbarrow
Other routes up Steeple
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ennerdale via the north ridge | 7.7 km one way | 727 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
| Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head | 6.2 km one way | — | — | Hard |
| Ennerdale western fell walking paths | 9.1 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 186 087, the summit at NY 157 116), 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.
Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell: questions and answers
How far is Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell?
Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell is 5.5 km one way to the summit of Steeple, with 808 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.0 km.
How long does Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Steeple and 3h 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 4h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell?
Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell starts from Wasdale Head (National Trust car park). The grid reference is NY 186 087.
Is Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell 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 Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell today?
By 13:33 at the latest. Sunset on Steeple today is 18:08, Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell takes about 3h 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 Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).