Take on the Lakes Five Peaks Challenge

Located right in the heart of the Lake District on a bridge of land connecting the Southern and Central Fells, Rossett Pike is the tallest mountain that forms this ridge with a peak elevation of 651m (2136ft). Promising tantalising views of the Langdale Pikes at its summit, this first hike begins at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and winds through glacier-carved valley and along craggy moorland, intermittently intercepted by cascading brooks and oasis-like tarns. The summit takes a little over two hours for an experienced walker, travelling 5.2km (3.5 mi) with an ascent of about 570m (1860ft).

A little northwest of Rossett Pike is Allens Crag, a 785-metre (2575-foot) tall peak along a popular rocky ridge that stretches from the bucolic village of Stonethwaite in the Borrowdale Valley all the way to colossal Esk Hause Pass. It is connected to Glaramara, the ridge’s central point, by an undulating, three-kilometre ridge that comprises part of the ascent, at the top of which are impressive views of the iconic Great Gable Mountain, although more expansive views are obscured by neighbouring fells. The summit begins at Seathwaite Farm near Borrowdale, then snakes gradually upwards, intersecting the nascent River Derway, with passage granted by painting-perfect Stockley Bridge; dramatic waterfalls at Grains Gill gorge; and some of the most picturesque tarns the national park has to offer. The summit again takes a little over two hours, covering a distance of 4.4km (2.75 mi) with an elevation gain of 670 metres (2190 ft).

Continuing westwards is dramatically named Great End, the most northerly mount of the Scafell chain. Adorned with spectacular, diamond-surfaced tarns and monumental cliff-faces that led to Great End being praised as one of the most magnificent fells in Lakeland by Alfred Wainwright, Great End is a challenging 910m (2990ft) ascent that rewards climbers with soul-stirring panoramas of the Lake District. Trace the River Derwent upwards from Seathwaite, passing mighty Taylor Gill Force (a 100ft+ tall waterfall) and roaring Styhead Gill on your way to the craggy summit. The journey will take around 2 hours and 40 minutes, covering 5.3km (3.3 mi) of distance with an elevation gain of 850m (2795ft).

The fourth-highest peak in England at 935m (3068ft), Ill Crag adjoins Great End as part of the Scafell range and has an extremely rocky mountain top that makes it notoriously difficult to summit. Its summit overlooks the stunning glacial valley of Eskdale across to Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. Ill Crag is often glossed over as a mountain-climbing location, glossed over by hikers taking the Esk Hause that Ill Crag intercepts on their way to other peaks on the range, including Scafell Pike, however Ill Crag nonetheless constitutes the fourth of your five summits and is your final hurdle before the final push.

The King of the Lakes. A Five Peak Challenge in Lakeland would be incomplete without Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in all of England with a cloud-stroking summit of 978m (3,209ft). Climbing up Scafell Pike there are several options: Wasdale Walk, the easiest summit which passes by several lakes on the ascent; Borrowdale Walk; or the ascents via Esk Hause, passing by Great End and Ill Crag to help you complete the challenge in the most convenient fashion. Reach the top of Scafell Pike for incredible panoramas that spread the United Kingdom, with mountain tops in Northern Ireland and Wales’ Snowdonia National Park visible.