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Travelling to Scafell Pike and Scafell Pike Accommodation
How to Get to Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike is located in the heart of the Lake District - an area of outstanding beauty. Unfortunately this means it is not located close to a large town, nor to a railway station or main road.
For road directions visit the RAC Route Planner and enter the postcode CA20 1EX for Seathwaite, and CA12 5XJ for Wasdale. The post codes will put you close to the start of the main walks.
Wasdale By Public Transport
You can take the fastest route, or take a longer more scenic route which will give you a flavour of the Lake District if you haven't been here before. The One Day Explorer bus ticket costs around £9.75 for an adult, and the 4 day £21.50. You can travel on Stagecoach buses within Cumbria and as far out as Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
The nearest station to Wasdale is Seascale. There is a minibus which runs on Saturdays only between the 31st March and 29th September, collecting passengers from Seascale station at 10.10 am and arriving at Wasdale Head at 10.45 am. The return mini bus leaves at 5.10 pm, and will not wait for passengers who are late.
Important Note: To get to Seascale from London in time to get the minibus you need to take the Sleeper train from Euston - the lastest you can catch leaves at 10pm the night before. Trains are very expensive unless you book in advance. The normal daytime trip from London Euston to Seascale takes five and a half hours. Trains A return from London to Seascale costs around £100
There are only 16 seats on this minibus so pre-booking is essential. See the full details here.
Another taxi bus runs on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Whitehaven, Seascale and Gosforth. If leaves Whitehaven at 8.40 am, and leaves Wasdale Head for the return journey at 5.49 pm. The taxi will only run if it is pre-booked by ringing 019467 25308.
Important Note: To get to Seascale from London in time to get the minibus you need to take the Sleeper train from Euston - the lastest you can catch leaves at 10pm the night before. Trains are very expensive unless you book in advance. The normal daytime trip from London Euston to Seascale takes five and a half hours. Trains A return from London to Seascale costs around £100
There are only 16 seats on this minibus so pre-booking is essential. See the full details here.
Another taxi bus runs on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Whitehaven, Seascale and Gosforth. If leaves Whitehaven at 8.40 am, and leaves Wasdale Head for the return journey at 5.49 pm. The taxi will only run if it is pre-booked by ringing 019467 25308.
Seathwaite by Public Transport
The nearest railway station is Penrith. This is on the West Coast Mainline with easy access from Scotland and Virgin Trains. To get the cheapest prices book your train travel well in advance! Use the box below to plan your trip. The train takes just over 3 hours from London and is depending what day you book and the time you travel could be less than £40 return.
Once at Penrith take the bus to Keswick, and then another bus to Seatoller. Seathwaite is about a 20 minute walk away. Both bus journeys will take about 40 minutes.
Buses may not run on Sundays. Check before you travel.
The Cumbria Council Website has full bus details, and a map of all the local bus routes.
Once at Penrith take the bus to Keswick, and then another bus to Seatoller. Seathwaite is about a 20 minute walk away. Both bus journeys will take about 40 minutes.
Buses may not run on Sundays. Check before you travel.
The Cumbria Council Website has full bus details, and a map of all the local bus routes.
An alternative would be to hire a car from the station. You should check availabilty before you go as you might find that hire cars are only available from bigger towns, such as Carlisle. A car hired for 24 hours could cost as little as £35.
If you are planning to stay overnight, or for a longer break there are a variety of hotels that are convenient for Scafell Pike.
The Lake District is very much a tourist destination, so you will find hostels, bed and breakfast, self catering cottages and campsites to suit your pocket and needs.
There are lots of centres where you could stay in the Lake District so only a few are suggested here. The area is very popular with walkers so most establishments are happy to cater for muddy boots and walking equipment, and there are numerous outdoor shops in every town.
The Lake District is very much a tourist destination, so you will find hostels, bed and breakfast, self catering cottages and campsites to suit your pocket and needs.
There are lots of centres where you could stay in the Lake District so only a few are suggested here. The area is very popular with walkers so most establishments are happy to cater for muddy boots and walking equipment, and there are numerous outdoor shops in every town.
Scafell Pike Accommodation
For a cheap overnight stay you could go to one of the hostels in the Lake District. Prices start from £14 a night if you don't mind sharing. If you are looking at self catering accommodation Cottages4You have a wide range in the Lake District National Park.
Wasdale
Situated on the west coast of Cumbria Wasdale boasts England's deepest lake, Wastwater, St Olafs, the smallest church, and off course, Scafell Pike, the highest mountain! Obviously a very convenient place to stay as one of the walks up the mountain starts from here. There is plenty of accommodation in the area.
For camping sites near Wasdale check out Wasdale Web.
Situated at another popular starting point to ascend Scafell Pike, Seathwaite is a small hamlet with few amentities, although accomodation, pubs, restaurants etc. can be found in the local area. Sited within Borrowdale, this is a very beautiful valley and a good place to unwind after the walk up the fell. There is a Youth Hostel in Borrowdale hamlet.
Seathwaite
Situated at another popular starting point to ascend Scafell Pike, Seathwaite is a small hamlet with few amentities, although accomodation, pubs, restaurants etc. can be found in the local area. Sited within Borrowdale, this is a very beautiful valley and a good place to unwind after the walk up the fell. There is a Youth Hostel in Borrowdale hamlet.
Keswick
One of the bigger towns in the area, Keswick is situated 8 miles away from the start of the Scafell Pike walk at Seathwaite - about 40 minutes bus ride from Seatoller. It will take about 25 minutes by car. Wasdale is nearly 39 miles away, and will take an hour to get there. Keswick nestles beneath Skiddaw which is the fourth highest mountain in England so if you're not too tired after Scafell Pike (or want to get some practice in beforehand) this would be right on your doorstop. Billed as the most popular destination in the Lake District Keswick is a pretty, bustling town. Guided walking is available from Keswick which is very much a walker's town. Being a bigger town the range of different types of accommodation is vast, and there's places to eat and drink aplenty. A good town for families as well as holiday makers.
Windermere
Lake Windermere is a mile long and is the largest lake in England. The town which bears its name sits almost at one end. A busy town in summer months it still feels quite bustling all year round as more serious hikers, ramblers and climbers make it their base. The lake itself is full of boating activities and a trip on the lake is a good way to unwind and rest tired legs. Although Windermere is actually just under a mile from the lake, it's almost impossible to see where the town merges with Bowness on Windermere. As you would expect, it has everything that would be expected in a tourist centre, and as the weather in the Lake District can be unpredictable, there are activities for both wet and dry weather. A good range of accommodation can be found here.
Windermere is 34 miles from Seathwaite, but the journey will take just over an hour due to the windy roads. Wasdale is slightly closer being 27 miles away, and will take just under an hour.
Camping in the Lake District
Lake District Camping has a full list of campsites in the area, and the Lake District National Park Authority has further information about camping and caravanning. Check here for special offers on tents.
Wild Camping near Scafell Pike
If you are considering Wild Camping remember that under the law in England permission must be obtained prior to pitching a tent. Wild camping is usually more tolerated on higher ground. But remember, Scafell Pike is a very busy walk - and is criss crossed with paths of other walks as well, so it might not be the best place to set up camp. The Lake District Park Authority say they cannot give permission for you to camp on private land, and do not allow it on their land. Wild camping is tolerated, but landowners or their representatives have the legal right to ask you to move on.
If you do camp out remember to leave the site exactly how you found it, and take all rubbish and waste home. When using a piece of land for your toilet ensure it is 100 feet from water. There should be nothing to mark where your tent has been after you have left.
The weather in the mountains, especially at higher levels can be extremely cold, even in high summer. It can turn very wet and very windy quickly, so make sure that you are properly prepared to face the elements.
Other pages on this site:
For a description of the walk and information on the mountain and the wider Lake District see the pages below:
Scafell Pike Walk
Facts and History
Foggy Scafell Pike
Dogs on Scafell Pike
Introduction to the Lake District
For a description of the walk and information on the mountain and the wider Lake District see the pages below:
Scafell Pike Walk
Facts and History
Foggy Scafell Pike
Dogs on Scafell Pike
Introduction to the Lake District
If you are driving to Scafell Pike it is not too difficult to get there, but if you are coming on public transport, particularly from London or one of the other British cities you may want to find overnight accommodation, as making the journey there and back in one day, as well as walking the mountain itself, would take too long.
By Road
By Road
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