Lingmell: Height, Walks and Views above Wasdale Head

Lingmell stands beside Scafell Pike, but it deserves more than a passing glance on the way to England’s highest summit. At 807m, this Southern Fell has a broad western flank above Wasdale and a much rockier character on its northern and eastern sides. Walkers who make time for its summit gain a fine view of Great Gable and a clearer sense of the surrounding valleys.

A distinct summit beside Scafell Pike

Lingmell rises immediately north-west of Scafell Pike, overlooking Wasdale Head. Its position can make it seem subordinate to its higher neighbour, yet the fell has a strong identity of its own. Broad slopes descend towards Wasdale, while crags and deeply cut ground give the northern and eastern sides a markedly different character. The contrast is part of its appeal: the outline seen from below does not tell the whole story of the summit country.

Lingmell Col separates the fell from Scafell Pike. From the summit, Great Gable is a particularly prominent presence to the north, with the surrounding fells enclosing the approaches to Wasdale Head. Wast Water is visible below, while Scafell Pike commands attention close at hand. This is a viewpoint for understanding how the valleys, passes and high ridges fit together, rather than simply looking towards a distant horizon.

Piers Gill and the rocky eastern flank

Piers Gill is Lingmell’s best-known landscape feature: a deep, steep-sided ravine cutting into its eastern flank. It is a striking example of how water has carved through the hard volcanic rocks of the central Lakeland fells. Lingmell belongs to the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, whose ancient volcanic rocks underpin much of the rugged scenery around the Scafell massif.

The gill also matters to walkers because of its hazardous terrain. It is not a walking descent, and the ground around it should not be treated as an easy escape from the higher fells. The nearby Corridor Route is a recognised approach to Scafell Pike, but the ravine itself is quite a different proposition. Its broken rock and abrupt drops help explain why careful navigation matters here, especially when cloud obscures the shape of the land.

Lingmell among the Southern Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Lingmell in The Southern Fells, the fourth volume of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. At 807m (2,648ft), it ranks 29th among the 214 Wainwrights. Its grid reference is NY209081.

Although frequently combined with Scafell Pike, Lingmell also rewards attention as a separate objective from Wasdale. Its summit sits apart from the main destination of many walkers passing through this area. That separation, together with the outlook towards Great Gable and down into Wasdale, gives it a character that is easily missed when the day is focused solely on reaching the highest ground.

Where Lingmell stands

Summit at grid reference NY209081 · open full map

The real Lingmell

Walking Lingmell

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Wasdale Head - Scafell Pike - Lingmell Circular (alltrails.com)
• Lingmell and Scafell Pike (treksandtors.co)
• Lingmell – wainwrightwalking.co.uk (wainwrightwalking.co.uk)

Weather on Lingmell

Conditions estimated at summit height (807 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Lingmell on your wall

A painting of Lingmell can bring back the particular shape of a day above Wasdale: the broad fellside, the rocky summit and Great Gable across the valley. On paper or canvas, those familiar forms give a room a lasting connection to the Lakes.

Own “Sunlit Snow on Lingmell Crags” — our painting of Lingmell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Southern Fells

• Scafell Pike 978 m
• Scafell 964 m
• Great End 910 m
• Slight Side 762 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.