Slight Side: Height (762m), Walks and Summit Views

Slight Side is the rocky southern outpost of Scafell, rising above Eskdale to 762m (2,500ft). Its position beside a much higher neighbour can make it seem a secondary objective, but the summit has a character of its own: rough rock underfoot, open country below and a close view of the Scafell massif. It rewards walkers who value the edges of the high fells as much as their highest points.

A rocky summit above Eskdale

Slight Side stands south of Scafell, on the ridge descending from that higher fell towards Eskdale. Its summit is a distinct rocky top rather than a broad grassy dome. The contrast between this compact crown and the more open ground below helps give the fell its identity, particularly when seen from the Eskdale side.

At 762m, it is substantial country in its own right, even though Scafell rises more than 200m higher. The summit grid reference is NY209050. On a map, the relationship between the two tops is clear: Slight Side belongs to the Scafell ridge, not to a separate massif. On the ground, its rocks and outlook provide a worthwhile destination without needing to continue to the higher summit.

Views into the Southern Fells

The outlook brings together two different aspects of Lakeland. To the north is the close, steep presence of Scafell; towards Eskdale, the land falls away into a much broader landscape. Upper Eskdale and the high ground around its head are important parts of the view, with the Bowfell and Esk Pike area across the dale.

Looking away from the central fells, the prospect opens towards the west Cumbrian coast and the Irish Sea when visibility allows. That balance is part of Slight Side’s appeal. It offers both an intimate view of the high mountain country and a sense of how quickly these fells give way to lower land and the coast. Clear conditions reveal the geography particularly well.

Its Wainwright place and walking character

Slight Side appears in The Southern Fells, Book Four of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 58th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its wider neighbourhood includes Scafell Pike, Lingmell and Great End, although Scafell is its immediate ridge neighbour.

Eskdale is a recognised starting area for walks to Slight Side, with Wha House associated with a well-established approach. The fell is also combined with Scafell in longer outings. Neither option should be judged by summit height alone: rough ground, navigation and changing weather all matter here. A dedicated walking guide and a suitable map are better sources for choosing an approach than the apparent simplicity of the ridge on a small-scale map.

Where Slight Side stands

Summit at grid reference NY209050 · open full map

The real Slight Side

Walking Slight Side

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

• Lake District Walk: Slight Side from Wha House, Eskdale (walklakes.co.uk)
• Scafell and Slight Side - Wasdale walks (andrewswalks.co.uk)
• Walk Report - Slight Side and Scafell from Wha House Farm (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Weather on Slight Side

Conditions estimated at summit height (762 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Slight Side on your wall

A painting of Slight Side can recall a different side of the Scafell country: the rocky summit, the open slopes above Eskdale and the higher ridge beyond. A print or canvas brings that familiar shape indoors, keeping a particular fell day close without needing to explain it.

Own “Winter Sun on Slight Side” — our painting of Slight Side → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Southern Fells

• Scafell 964 m
• Scafell Pike 978 m
• Lingmell 807 m
• Great End 910 m

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