Great End from Seathwaite via Seathwaite Fell and Sprinkling Tarn

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Great End [S]

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REX Jun 23, 2026 Seathwaite, Seathwaite Fell, Sprinkling Tarn, Esk Hause, Great End, Allen Crags, Grains Gill

Start Point, Map

Titbit

Distance 13.79 km, Time 5.16 h, Total Ascent 911 m Imperial | Metric

REX SAYS: A fun route from Seathwaite but it was warm even though we left very early. Nothing too difficult and lots of water

Hot, muggy, mainly clear

We start early today from Seathwaite. I've planned a route that returns via Grains Gill so we'll have a lot of water for Rex and hopefully a dip.
Nonetheless, I'm still carrying over 4 litres of drinking water - it is hot and humid.

Seathwaite Fell, our first objective, with Great End behind

The well-used route to Stockley Bridge

Stockley Bridge is quickly reached

Here I have to call Rex to back to go on the lead before we pass through this gate onto the open fellside

A quick drink stop early on - it is already getting uncomfortably warm

The path up Seathwaite Fell is very faint - it takes off to the left just after a small unnamed stream

A moderately steep climb - looking back to Seathwaite

Almost at the summit with the unmistakable Great End beyond

Rex is on Seathwaite Fell with Great End as a backdrop, Jun 23, 2026

Seathwaite Fell. Great End is clear of cloud but unfortunately this is not to last. Scafell Pike in the distance on the right

We stop here in the shade for a water break

Cairn near Great Slack. Great Gable, Windy Gap and Green Gable behind

There are several unnamed tarns on Seathwaite Fell

and then Sprinkling Tarn comes into view

Sprinkling Tarn

Clouds are starting to roll in over Great Gable

And as we start up towards Esk Hause, we can see clouds massing on Great End as well

En route from Esk Hause to Great End, we are suddenly in low visibility

Great End Western Cairn with a brief glimpse of Sprinkling Tarn below

But no visibility in most directions

This is the expanse of Great End Summit plateau

When we started coming off Great End we encountered 2 different groups of people who thought they were on the way to Scafell Pike!
I pointed them in the right direction...

As we return to Esk Hause, Allen Crags is ahead with Glaramara behind

Shrouded Langdale Pikes fade in and out of view

Allen Crags is just a short climb from Esk Hause

Sprinkling Tarn. The Gables are now shrouded

After crossing Ruddy Gill we stop for lunch with this view down the valley

Rex has a quick doze - he woke up when I moved to take a snap

We return alongside Grains Gill and stop at this pool which we spotted on ascent with Indy when we were climbing Scafell Pike last year

Time for a dip to cool down - it really is getting hot now

Now it's just a case of walking down the valley

crossing Grains Gill at this footbridge

Once again at Stockley Bridge

where the water is crystal clear

As we descend from Stockley Bridge, we pass several people who are just starting up to Scafell Pike in this heat! 30°C in the valley on the third day of a significant heatwave... We wish them all the best and hope that they are carrying enough water.
For out part, we are more than happy to be almost finished and just 10 mins from the car

Post script: Food and water warning after two rescued from mountain ©BBC
A mountain rescue team has warned walkers to carry enough food and water after two people required assistance on England's highest mountain.
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT) said it was called by Cumbria Police before 02:30 BST on Thursday {June 25th} to help two male walkers, one who was struggling due to exhaustion.
The pair had set off at 15:00 BST on the previous day to watch the sunset on Scafell Pike, but had underestimated the Corridor Route and their food and water needs.
The mountain rescue team provided hydration and food to the walkers, who were then able to continue walking themselves as they were escorted off the mountain.
The rescue lasted more than six hours and the pair were dropped off at Wasdale Head for rest and further fuel.
A spokesperson for WMRT said: "A fell walk of around four hours can burn 1,200-2,000+ calories- and longer routes even more.
"If you don't replace that energy, your strength, coordination and decision making drop fast.
"In warm weather you'll typically need 0.5-1 litre [of water] per hour... a single 500ml bottle isn't enough."

Start: Seathwaite

1) "Honister rambler" bus from Keswick gets as close as Seatoller (about 2km)
2) Limited car parking at Seathwaite along road [NY 23562 12311], also at farm

Route

Seathwaite, Seathwaite Fell, Sprinkling Tarn, Esk Hause, Great End, Allen Crags, Grains Gill
Distance 13.79 km, Time 5.16 h, Total Ascent 911 m
Wainwright Pictorial Guide: The Southern Fells

Titbit

Sprinkling Tarn - Sprinkling Tarn is said to be the source of the River Derwent.
Seathwaite, Borrowdale is the rainiest part of England

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Please do your own research to verify current routes and information on car parking, bus services and so on

Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless otherwise indicated.
Distance, Hike Time and Total Ascent as supplied by OS. Image shows planned route.
Distance 13.79 km, Time 5.16 h, Total Ascent 911 m

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