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Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

To the north east of Scafell Pike lies Seathwaite, a small hamlet comprising of a few farm buildings and a camp site. Deep in Borrowdale, south of Keswick, it may seem an unlikely starting point for a Western Lakes fell. Yet it is popular, not just with those on a National 3 Peaks charity challenge but those who seek a fabled path called the Corridor Route. This runs southwards from the pass of Sty Head to Lingmell Col under the northern slopes of the Pike. In days gone by it was called the Guides Route from when a gentleman of wealth in the Victorian era would invariably pay a local person to guide him to the highest point of England. It was a grand route then, and still is today. Easier perhaps with the laying of stone pitched paths but the way is still unmarked, as it should be, save for the passage of feet and an occasional cairn.

Our walk follows the classic route from Seathwaite, over the packhorse Stockley Bridge, to ascend above Taylorgill Force which you can only see on the approach down in the valley. Following Styhead Gill, Styhead Tarn is quickly revealed, and the pass between Borrowdale to the north and Wasdale in the south climbed. A sneaky guide's short-cut over the saddle joins on to the start of the Corridor Route. You then meander in a gently rising traverse across the slopes and combes of the north west face of Great End and Broad Crag to arrive at Lingmell Col. From here you join the caravan of trekkers coming up from Wasdale on the final section of the path, which is loose and steep, to the summit of Scafell Pike. You return the same way.

There is some parking along the Seathwaite roadside, however, it does get very busy at holiday times, and weekends especially in the summer. Please park considerately and not obstruct access for tractors, fire engines, or field entrances.

There are also two bus services which run from Keswick past the end of the road down to Seathwaite: