Peak 5 | Scafell Pike, England | 978m

My climb up to England's highest mountain was the second high point of the day. While observing the sunrise on the summit of Wales that morning, I spontaneously had the romantic idea of catching the sunset atop England's highest peak. But it would mean the most demanding single day of hiking that I'd done to date.

The highest point in England — Click here to view the Instagram post

Quick Summary

• Start point - Wasdale Car Park

• Route taken - Wasdale Head

• Total ascent - 900 m

• Total length - 9.4 km round trip

• Total time for the climb - 3¾ hours

• Expense category - #Low

• Equipment - #StandardHike

• Difficulty - #Level2 of 5

• Enjoyment - #4stars of 5*

Snowdon to Scafell Pike

11th April

Having just returned to my car after descending from the top of Snowdon, and I found myself faced with a dilemma. It had turned out to be a gorgeous sunny morning that looked set to stretch into the afternoon. So, I could either spend the remainder of the day exploring the magnificent landscape of Snowdonia. Or, I could travel to Scafell Pike to get another peak ticked off my list.

I opted for the latter.

This decision now confirmed that I was truly getting into the mentality of being a 'peak-bagger' on a mission. As consequently, the day would now involve a four-hour drive, mainly on an unscenic and busy motorway network, to yet another National Park that was just as beautiful as the one I was leaving. Then upon arriving here, I would then need to get straight on with the hike to the high point, take a few photos, then return home to Chester that evening by another three-hour slog on the road.

In any usual scenario, this would be seen as bonkers and a complete waste of a beautiful day confined to the insides of a car.

But I anticipated that this could be the start of my schedule to come. Spare time was never going to be in abundance on a 50 country long expedition, and I needed to learn to cram in wherever possible.

The journey seemed to drag on for much longer than I envisioned. Even after entering the Lake District, it's another hour and a half of narrow winding country roads.

Climbing the highest point in England

11th April

I had opted to take the most popular route up Scafell Pike. It's a trail that runs from Wasdale Head Lake and is usually regarded as the quickest and easiest route up the mountain. It is also the traditional choice for people doing the National Three Peaks. A challenge to climb the three highest peaks of Scotland, England, and Wales, usually within 24 hours.

It was 3:40 pm when I left the car park, and I may have been the last one to set off for Scafell that day. But the sun was still shining for me, and I was looking forward to exploring a new mountain.

I set off on the trail that follows a stream up a valley. The path starts gradually but then builds its gradient as it moves up the valley. It soon became a relentless stepped incline and a real work out on my calves that were screaming at me by this point.

Nonetheless, this long day of hiking was perfect training for the greater challenge. The climb up Snowdon and this included 1600 m of incline, certainly something my body was not used to doing.

I caught and passed a few people up on the trail, but I didn't pass anyone else on my return. Everyone I passed seemed friendly here - probably the influence of the excellent weather we had been having in the UK over the previous couple of days.

I passed dozens of groups and families here coming down. All friendly and making small talk on their passing. One or two seemed concerned about my late start. However, I didn't feel like it was anything to worry about. I knew it wouldn't be dark for at least another 4 hours. Worst case, I was carrying a head torch anyway.

After completing the stepped section, it reverts to a stony trail that now zig-zags up the hillside. The scenery starts to feel much more barren - a completely treeless landscape.

But by this point, I was feeling exhausted, and it now felt like I was running on fumes. I hadn't slept much with the early start on Snowdon that morning. Plus, I had hardly stopped all day and had forgotten to anything before the start.

I hadn't managed to get around to doing much training in the outdoors before I started this trip. So I wanted this to be a test of what I could do.

Thankfully, towards the top, it then flattened out, but the trail can become a little less evident over the loose boulder field. But finally, the summit can be seen!

I'd arrived at the summit much earlier than I was anticipating. The advised time was between four and six hours for the round trip. So I was expecting it to be around three hours up. I was there in just under two, and I didn't feel like I was going at a particularly fast pace.

My original plan was to watch the sunset from the top. But arriving so early would mean I would have to wait around on the summit for over an hour. I waited around for fifteen minutes on the summit, but I was already feeling the cold, so I decided to return.

Heading back a little earlier probably worked out to be the best decision in the end. As on the drive home, I got a text confirming that I needed to be ready to leave Chester for 9 am the following morning because we had finally sorted and picked up our expedition vehicle - and I still had to pack!