Bowfell

About Bowfell

Bowfell is marked as Bow Fell on Ordnance Survey maps. In the area known as the Southern Fells, its elevation is 902 m (2,959 ft) and prominence 146 m (479 ft), making it the sixth highest of Wainwright’s peaks. It is listed as a Hewitt, a Nuttall and sub-Marilyn and its parent peak is Scafell Pike.

The mountain has a distinctive pyramid-shaped summit and is one of the most popular of the Lake District Fells. Wainwright himself listed it as one of his ‘best half-dozen’. The summit area is a ridge running north to south with the highest point being the pyramid near the south west corner. There are steep crags on three sides. The view from the summit is uninterrupted by the foreground, with every major group of fells visible, including the Helvellyn range and the Langdale Pikes. Views of Scafell Pike are particularly good from this vantage point. Further afield on clear days, views stretch to Scotland, Anglesey and the Isle of Man.

Climbing Bowfell

Its central position and prominence means that the fell is likely to get busy in peak season and at weekends; however, there are a number of routes to the top. Direct ascents can be made from Eskdale, Stonethwaite and via Rossett Gill. It can also be approached indirectly by taking in other Wainwrights, via Crinkle Crags, Esk Pike or Rossett Pike.

Bowfell’s eastern face is very popular with rock climbers, with Cambridge Crag and the Bowfell Buttress providing a variety of long climbs of varying difficulties.