Route: Esk Pike
Area: South Western Lake District
Date of walk: 25th March 2015
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 9.3 miles
Weather: Mixed cloud and bright spells, icy on tops
We parked along the lane leading into Seathwaite. There are plenty of roadside spaces but many were already taken, probably by walkers bound for the magnet that is Scafell Pike
We walked through the farmyard and started the long ascent to Esk Hause along the side of Grains Gill, crossing the gill at Stockley Bridge. The awesome sight of the north face of Great End was ahead of us as we climbed up the easy path
When we reached Esk Hause it seemed that the summit of Esk Pike was only a short distance away but appearances can be deceptive and it took longer than anticipated to reach the summit of the fell. The views were tremendous
We retraced our steps to Esk Hause, treading carefully as the path was icy in places, and then walked below the crags of Great End to the crossroads that is Sty Head. From there it was a long but easy walk back to the start
It was a fantastic walk amid some of lakeland’s most dramatic scenery
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Herdies in a frosty Lorton Vale before we set off for Seathwaite
We drove past Crummock Water…
.....and Buttermere
……and over the Honister Pass
……before arriving at Seathwaite for the start of the walk
Seathwaite Fell - our route will take us along its left flank and back via the right
Such an inviting path
We cross Grains Gill over Stockley Bridge
We cross the gill again
The imposing north face of Great End comes into view
Great End
Looking back along Borrowdale to Castle Crag, and Skiddaw beyond
Great End dominates this section of the walk…
……but it’s hard to know which way to look, as the views back to Borrowdale are stunning too
Great End
After turning left at the foot of Great End we climb up to Esk Hause, and Esk Pike comes into view - summit out of sight from here
I see the sea - and the Duddon Estuary from Esk Hause
Derwent Water and Skiddaw in the distance as we climb up the rocky (and sometimes icy) slopes of Esk Pike
Scafell Pike comes into view
Nearly there
Summit of Esk Pike looking towards the Langdale Pikes and Windermere
Scafell Pike, England’s highest ground (Esk Pike is eleventh)
Looking towards Derwent Water
The Langdale Pikes and Windermere
The Duddon Estuary
Scafell Pike again
Having retraced our steps from the summit, we pass by Sprinkling Tarn
Sprinkling Tarn, set like a jewel among the surrounding fells
Walking towards Great Gable
Styhead Tarn
Looking back up to Scafell Pike, with the chasm of Piers Gill on the right
Another view across to Scafell Pike from an unnamed tarn near Sty Head
The stretcher box at Sty Head
The descent path passes to the left of Styhead tarn
Styhead Gill
Descending back towards Borrowdale
We’ve now rejoined our original ascent path, and have a last lingering look back up the valley
Almost back to Seathwaite
Seathwaite Farm - and the end of a wonderful walk
