Scoat Fell: 841m Height, Walks and Western Fell Views

Scoat Fell is one of the Western Fells’ quieter high summits: a broad, stony top that can seem understated beside the sharper outline of neighbouring Steeple. At 841m, it stands among the substantial fells between Wasdale and Ennerdale. Walkers often meet it on a longer ridge circuit, but its position, spacious summit and outlook across the western valleys make it worth more than a passing visit.

A broad summit above Wasdale and Ennerdale

Scoat Fell rises to 841m (2,759ft), with its summit at grid reference NY159113. Its upper ground is broad and comparatively rounded, a contrast to the crags and steeper slopes below. A dry-stone wall crosses the summit area and is one of its most recognisable features. This is not a fell defined by a single pointed top; much of its character comes from the meeting of high ridges above two deeply cut Lakeland valleys.

To the south, Scoat Tarn occupies a hollow beneath the fell, draining towards Wasdale through Nether Beck. To the north lies Ennerdale. That position gives Scoat Fell a strong sense of height and separation from the valley roads, even though its summit is usually visited alongside other Wainwrights rather than as an isolated objective.

Scoat Fell in the Western Fells

Scoat Fell belongs to The Western Fells, Book Seven of Alfred Wainwright’s guides, and ranks 23rd in height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its neighbouring Wainwrights are Steeple, Red Pike (Wasdale), Pillar and Haycock. Together, these fells form part of the high country separating Wasdale from Ennerdale, with Scoat Fell occupying an important junction in the ridge system.

Steeple is especially closely connected: its pointed summit projects north from Scoat Fell along a narrow ridge. Seen together, the two have distinctly different profiles despite their proximity. Scoat Fell provides the broad mass behind Steeple’s sharper outline. Haycock continues the high ground westwards, while the ridges towards Pillar and Red Pike place Scoat Fell within familiar longer rounds above Wasdale.

Views and longer fell walks

In clear conditions, the outlook takes in the surrounding Western Fells, with Pillar, Haycock and Red Pike providing nearby landmarks. Across Ennerdale, the High Stile ridge forms another substantial skyline, while the Scafell massif is prominent across the Wasdale side. The relationship between the broad summit and its sharper neighbours is as much a part of the view as the distant horizon.

Scoat Fell is commonly included in the Mosedale Horseshoe, the demanding high-level circuit above Wasdale Head that also takes in Pillar and Red Pike. It is therefore often remembered as part of a sustained day among ridges and summits. Its relatively gentle summit ground should not disguise the commitment involved: approaches are long, and the surrounding terrain includes steep slopes, crags and exposed ridges.

Where Scoat Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY159113 · open full map

The real Scoat Fell

Walking Scoat Fell

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

• Scoat Fell Route One (wainwrightroutes.co.uk)
• Caw Fell (walklakes.co.uk)
• 10 Best trails near Caw Fell (alltrails.com)

Weather on Scoat Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (841 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Scoat Fell on your wall

A painting of Scoat Fell can recall more than the summit itself: the wall across the stones, Steeple’s pointed profile, or the long ridges above Ennerdale. On a wall at home, those familiar shapes offer a quiet connection to days spent among the Western Fells.

Own “Scoat Fell Crags Vibrant Shadows” — our painting of Scoat Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Steeple 819 m
• Red Pike (Wasdale) 826 m
• Pillar 892 m
• Haycock 797 m

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