Scafell Pike Sunrise Challenge

Climb Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, at sunrise with a Large Outdoors guide and a group of fellow hikers for an unforgettable experience.

Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 5.4 miles (8.7km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in around 6 hours
Level: Active Plus (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here)
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell: 

  • Walk in wonder under a blanket of stars before experiencing dawn from the summit of the highest mountain in England!

  • Enjoy walking one of the most popular hiking routes in the UK while it’s much quieter.

  • Share this special experience with a wonderful group of fellow outdoors-lovers, led by a qualified and experienced Large Outdoors guide.

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How do we grade our walks?

See in the new day from the highest peak in England!

Walk under a blanket of stars and reach the summit of Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, in time for sunrise. You’ll ascend to the summit with a group of fellow sunrise chasers and a Large Outdoors guide who’ll keep everybody moving safely, comfortably, and having a fantastic time.

This is a bucket-list worthy experience and perfect to celebrate a special milestone; make amazing memories with friends and family; or perhaps even an occasion to pop “the question” for the romantics out there!


Suggested Itinerary

You’ll meet your Large Outdoors guide at the Lake Head (National Trust) Car Park, Wasdale Head - the exact time to meet will change throughout the year, based on sunrise times, but you’ll be meeting in the early hours of the date you book (between 00:15am and 02:45am). There’s time to check everyone’s head torches are working, before beginning the walk with the rest of the group, led by your qualified and experienced guide.

We start to ascend following Lingmell Beck, before crossing over to Brown Tongue where we will have great views of Wast Water, England’s deepest lake. We reach Hollow Stones valley and the gradient relents a little as we head toward Lingmell Coll to join the Corridor Route. We could see the lights of the Isle of Man and Ireland, plus we may get lucky with a sighting of the International Space Station. It’s not too far from on from here, over the stoney path towards the summit!

The aim is to reach the peak as dawn breaks and watch as the first light of the day creeps across the mountains and the sun edges over the horizon. A magical, unforgettable experience at a lofty 978m (3,209ft)! You might want to toast the moment with a cup of coffee from your flask or a chocolate bar (or both - our preferred option), or snap away at the Instagram-worthy vista, before it’s time to retrace our steps back down the mountain.

With a new perspective in daylight, the descent offers stunning outlooks to enjoy - over the Irish Sea, where the Isle of Man, Morecambe Bay and of course the whole of the Lake District is visible on a clear day.

Most groups complete this walk in around 6 hours.

Good to Know

  • Meeting Time: The exact time to meet will change, based on sunrise times, throughout the year. Please check your email confirmation upon booking for your meeting time.

    Meeting Location:
    Lake Head (National Trust) Car Park
    Wasdale Head
    Seascale
    CA20 1EX

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    Parking: The meeting location is within the Lake Head (National Trust) Car Park. Per vehicle charge of £9 applies - pay by cash, or via PayByPhone app (but download in advance, as signal poor at the car park). National Trust Members can park for free by scanning their membership cards.

    Public Transport: Unfortunately, the meeting location and time for this Large Outdoors experience is not accessible by public transport. Lake Head (National Trust) Car Park is located 11.6 miles from the nearest Train Station at Seascale, with services to/from Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness.

  • Included:

    • A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your Scafell Pike Sunrise Challenge.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

    DON’T FORGET:

    • To bring your head torch - you will not be allowed to start the walk if you don’t have a working head torch with you.

    • Warm Clothes (layers advised) - please remember on the mountain at night it can be significantly colder than during the daytime. Even during the summer months, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, plus warm layers, hat and gloves are compulsory kit for this experience. It can be 20C in the daytime but hovering around freezing at night on the summit.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is rated as Active Plus and you certainly need to be capable of managing ascent and descent - you’ll be summiting the UK’s highest mountain after all! You’ll be walking around 5.4 miles (8.7km) on the day, so ensure your training walks are an appropriate length and don’t forget to include some hills! Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

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