Scoat Fell from Steeple

Scoat Fell

Height841m (2,759ft)

Prominence86m (282ft)

RegionWestern Fells

Climbed5 Times

"Although often climbed from Wasdale as part of the Mosedale Horseshoe, Scoat Fell has no fan club and few devotees, for the long plateau forming the top compares unfavourably with the more shapely summits of other fells even easier access from Wasdale Head. Yet Scoat Fell triumphs over its disabilities, and provides magnificent mountain scenery on all sides." — A. Wainwright

Rising high above the surrounding valleys, Scoat Fell acts as an essential radial hub in the high Western Fells, sending ridges off towards Red Pike, Haycock, Pillar, and the sharp arête of Steeple. Its sprawling high ground feeds the headwaters that carve down into both Mosedale and the main Wasdale valley.

Despite the grand titles on the map, the true summit rests on Little Scoat Fell rather than its neighbour, Great Scoat Fell. It may lack the sharp profile of its dramatic offset spur, Steeple, but Scoat Fell forms an indispensable link on any high-level traverse around the head of Ennerdale or Wasdale.

The summit wall

The summit plateau stretches across an east-west axis, anchored by a prominent drystone wall running along the ridge line. Summit purists will find a tiny cairn balanced precariously right on top of the wall itself marking the precise high point, while a larger, traditional shelter cairn sits just to the north—acting as a vital landmark for navigation down towards Steeple..