Scrambles in the Lake District - South

Discover the soaring crags, hidden gills, and classic ridgelines of the southern Lake District National Park, a landscape celebrated for its intimacy, variety, and unforgettable mountain days. From the iconic Jack’s Rake and the exhilarating Pinnacle Ridge to the wild Esk Gorge and timeless classics like Dungeon Gill and Crescent Climb, over 100 of the region’s finest scrambles await exploration.

Perfect for adventurous walkers and scramblers of all experience levels, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents 106 graded scrambles across Langdale, Coniston, Eskdale, Patterdale, and High Street, with easy access from Haweswater, Longsleddale, and Duddon. Routes span scrambling grade 1 through to climbing grade V Diff, offering everything from accessible gill scrambles to challenging routes on bold rock faces. There is something for every ambition.

• Explore celebrated areas of the southern Lake District, including Langdale, Coniston, Eskdale, Patterdale, and beyond, each providing a gateway to the region’s most rewarding mountain adventures.
• Features all the classic scrambles of the South Lakes, such as Jack’s Rake, Pinnacle Ridge, Esk Gorge, Dungeon Gill, Giant’s Crawl, Middlefell Buttress, Linkcove Gill, and many more, alongside newly described routes for those seeking quieter corners and fresh challenges.
• Includes 1:25,000 OS mapping and topos for every South Lakes Scramble, ensuring straightforward navigation and confident route-finding on even the most intricate lines.
• Practical advice covers essential equipment, safety, ropework, and how to progress on steep or exposed ground, helping you build skills and tackle more demanding scrambles in the Lake District with assurance.
• Each mountain day is clearly described, with at-a-glance information on approach, grading, quality, aspect, total ascent and route length, timings, and grid references for parking and the start of each scramble, making it easy to plan your next adventure in the heart of the Lakes.
• All scrambles are designed as summer routes and are carefully graded, from gentle Grade 1 outings to classic Grade 3 challenges and technical V Diff climbs, with detailed notes and tips to help you select the right Lake District route for your skills and experience.
• Part of a 2-volume set, the accompanying Cicerone guidebook, Scrambles in the Lake District - North, is also available.

Plan your Lake District scrambling adventure with confidence using the definitive Cicerone guidebook. Whether you are seeking the thrill of a lofty ridge, the cool splash of a gill, or the satisfaction of a full mountain day linking multiple scrambles, you will discover the best of the South Lakes, where every outing promises inspiration and lasting memories amid some of Britain’s most beautiful mountain scenery.

Seasons

Best in Spring to Autumn, though some routes can be climbed all year round

Centres

Patterdale, Haweswater, Longsleddale, Langdale, Coniston, Duddon, Eskdale

Difficulty

Beginner to rock climbing experience; scrambling grades from 1- to 3+; rock climbing grades from Mod to V Diff; rock climbing equipment needed for more difficult routes

Must See

Popular classics such as Jack's Rake, Esk Gorge and Pinnacle Ridge; dramatic gills like Dungeon and Linkcove Gill; classic rock climbs including Giant's Crawl, Middlefell Buttress and Crescent Climb

Overview map

Map key

Foreword

Preface

Summary of routes and scrambles

Introduction

The origins of scrambling

What is scrambling?

Dangers and how to avoid them

Lake District crag scrambling

Gill scrambling

Descending scrambles

Bad weather scrambling

Scrambling with children

Solo scrambling

Equipment

Using this guide

South eastern fells

Route 1 Grisedale: Eagle Crag and St Sunday Crag

Route 2 Dovedale and Deepdale round via Hogget Gill and Hutaple Crag

Route 3 Deepdale round via Link Cove Gill and Gill Crag

Route 4 High Street tour via Angle Tarn Beck, Gray Crag and Blea Water Crag

Route 5 Haweswater, Mosedale and Sleddale gills

Langdale

Route 6 Easedale and Scale Close gills

Route 7 Harrison Stickle via Raven Crag or Middlefell Buttress, and Tarn Crag

Route 8 Pavey Ark via White Gill Edge, Crescent Climb and Gwynne’s Chimney

Route 9 Pavey Ark via Stickle Ghyll and Jack’s Rake

Route 10 Harrison Stickle via Dungeon Ghyll

Route 11 Pike of Stickle via White Crag and Merlin Slab

Route 12 Pike of Stickle via Stake Gill

Route 13 Crinkle Crags via Crinkle Gill and Bowfell Links

Route 14 Browney Gill and Black Wars

Route 15 Upper Eskdale via Hell Gill

Coniston Fells

Route 16 Great How via Church Beck and Levers Water

Route 17 The Bell, Low Water Beck, Brim Fell slabs and Raven Tor

Route 18 Dow Crag buttresses

Route 19 Seathwaite Tarn crags

Eskdale

Route 20 Eskdale Needle and Harter Fell

Route 21 Low Birker Force, Crook Crag, Green Crag and Brandy Crag

Route 22 Scafell’s southern crags

Route 23 The Scafells via Esk Gorge, Cam Spout and the Eskdale slabs

Route 24 Scafell Pike via Lingcove Beck and Thor’s Buttress

Appendix A Summary of scrambles in grade order

Appendix B Useful contacts