Western Fells · Book 7

Scoat Fell

Scoat Fell is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 841 m (2,759 ft) it is the joint 22nd highest of the 214 and the 3rd highest in the Western Fells.

Height: 841 m; 2,759 ft
Rank: =22; of 214
In area: 3; of 33
Difficulty: Difficult

Scoat Fell in the Western Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Philip Halling via Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0

About Scoat Fell

Remote and rugged at the heart of the Mosedale Horseshoe, linking cleanly with Red Pike, Haycock and the spur of Steeple. The summit is a stony plateau with wild Ennerdale views. A long, committing round best for confident walkers.

Five ridges meet at Scoat Fell, at the head of Mosedale between Red Pike and Pillar. Most walkers reach it on the Mosedale Horseshoe from Wasdale. Park at the National Trust Lake Head car park, walk down the road to Overbeck, climb to Dore Head and go over Red Pike. Beyond Red Pike the path runs along the top of the crags above Black Comb, and for Scoat Fell you leave it and climb stony ground and boulders to the top. Other routes come up from Mosedale by Black Comb, or from Nether Beck Bridge on the Wastwater road by Scoat Tarn, a corrie pool about 20 m deep held back by grassy moraines.

From Ennerdale, start at the Bowness Knott car park (NY 109 153) and climb through the forest and over Long Crag to Steeple. A narrow, loose ridge joins Steeple to Scoat Fell. Walk Lakes' round continues to Haycock and Caw Fell, 17.9 km with 1,034 m of ascent.

The wall

The top is a long, stony plateau running east to west, and the Ennerdale Fence, a stone wall here, runs right along it. Purists built a small cairn on top of the wall to mark the highest point. The wall also means no single spot gives the whole view. Move about and you see almost the full horseshoe of the Western Fells and down into the northern coves, Mirk Cove, Mirklin Cove and Windgap Cove, with Pillar hiding part of the view.

On Ordnance Survey maps the summit is Little Scoat Fell. Great Scoat Fell is a hump at the west end, about 40 m lower despite the name. East along the ridge, Black Crag is a separate Hewitt at 828 m above the boulders of Wind Gap.

In winter

The summit plateau is broad and stony, and in mist the Ennerdale wall is the handrail between Pillar and Haycock. Mirk Cove and Mirklin Cove fall away steeply on the north side, and every route here is long against winter daylight.

Great Views
Quiet & Remote
Potentially Dangerous
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Scoat Fell, Walk Lakes: A Mosedale Horseshoe, Walk Lakes: Steeple, Scoat Fell, Haycock, and Caw Fell from Ennerdale. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 159 113
Latitude: 54.49089° N
Longitude: 3.29920° W
Area: Western Fells

Walking up Scoat Fell

The nearest car park on foot is Lake Head Car Park, 5.7 km (3.6 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Lake Head Car Park

Distance: 5.7 km; 3.6 miles, one way
Ascent: 949 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 2 h 36 min; Allow 1 to 4 hours

Height in metres along the path from Lake Head Car Park to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Scoat Fell questions

Is Scoat Fell a Wainwright?

Yes. Scoat Fell is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 7, The Western Fells.

How high is Scoat Fell?

Scoat Fell is 841 metres (2,759 feet) high. That makes it the joint 22nd highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 3rd highest in the Western Fells.

Where do you park for Scoat Fell?

The nearest car park on foot is Lake Head Car Park, 5.7 km (3.6 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Scoat Fell?

From Lake Head Car Park it is 5.7 km with 949 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 2 h 36 min, so allow 1 to 4 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Scoat Fell?

Upfell rates Scoat Fell as difficult, and parts of it can be dangerous in poor weather or visibility. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Scoat Fell?

The closest are Steeple (819 m, 0.3 km NW), Red Pike [Wasdale] (826 m, 1.0 km SE) and Pillar (892 m, 1.4 km NE).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Scoat Fell?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 159 113, or 54.49089, -3.29920 in latitude and longitude.