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.

Scrambles in the Lake District – South: Quick Facts

Location: Lake District National Park, Cumbria, North West England
Number of routes: 106
Duration: Shortest scrambles take under 30 minutes; full mountain days can extend to several hours
Regions covered: Langdale, Coniston, Eskdale, Patterdale, High Street, Haweswater, Longsleddale, Duddon
Route type: Mountain scrambles, from easy hands-on routes (Grade 1) to challenging climbs (up to V Diff)
Difficulty: Graded 1 to V Diff; suitable for beginners through to experienced scramblers and climbers
Terrain: Rocky ridges, craggy summits, gill scrambles, buttresses, classic ridgelines, and hidden valleys
Navigation: 1:25,000 OS maps, clear route descriptions, photo topos, grid references
Best season: Spring through autumn (routes described as summer scrambles)
Highlights: Jack’s Rake, Pinnacle Ridge, Esk Gorge, Dungeon Gill, Crescent Climb, Middlefell Buttress, quiet and classic scrambles
Equipment: Supportive boots, helmet, and basic scrambling gear; rope and climbing kit recommended for harder routes
Accommodation: Campsites, hostels, bunkhouses, guesthouses, and hotels in Ambleside, Coniston, Eskdale, Patterdale, and surrounding valleys
 

Author Highlight

“This guide aims to inspire you to experience some of the best days that the Lake District has to offer. Most outings include scrambles of Grade 3 or above, but individual scrambles can be omitted if you are not confident scrambling at this grade. Grouping the scrambles into day routes allows the curation of varied and enjoyable mountain adventures, where the whole is greater than a sum of the parts. Some of the scrambles can appear a little contrived or insignificant if taken in isolation, but as part of a bigger day can provide interesting ways of exploring the Lake District.”

- John Fleetwood, author of Scrambles in the Lake District - South

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

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

January 2024

Lake District Scrambles Database

September 2022

Harter Beanie scramble

August 2022

Eagle Crag, revised topo

July 2021

Scramble 89 North West Crags, Harter Fell (upper section)

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