Slight Side

About Slight Side

Standing as the rugged southern bastion of the Scafell massif, this rocky Wainwright offers a mountaineering character that belies its status as a subsidiary peak. Accessed most rewardingly from Eskdale, its summit is a fine pile of slabs providing a grandstand view over the duelling landscapes of the Irish Sea and the high central fells.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name is believed to originate from the Old Norse 'sletta', meaning a level or flat piece of ground. This likely refers to the relatively smooth, marshy plateau of Cam Spout Crag that lies just below the rugged summit rocks.
• •Alfred Wainwright held this fell in exceptionally high regard, despite its proximity to the higher Scafell. He described it as "a very fine fell" and noted that it is "one of those fells that can be loved," justifying its inclusion as a separate chapter in his Southern Fells guide.
• •The summit offers a unique perspective of Scafell’s southern face. From here, you can see the Great How and the massive boulder-strewn slopes that lead toward the higher peak, a view often missed by those taking the standard paths from Wasdale.
• •Looking south, the fell provides a perfectly framed view down the entire length of Eskdale. On clear days, the eye is led past the granite quarries of Beckfoot toward the Ravenglass estuary and the distant profile of the Isle of Man across the Irish Sea.
• •The "Terrace" route, which connects Slight Side to Scafell, is widely considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing walks in the Lake District, traversing high above the upper reaches of Eskdale on a natural line through the crags.
• •Despite the name implying a minor or "slight" undertaking, the steep, pathless trudge through the bracken and boulders from the valley floor usually ensures that hikers feel every bit of its 762-metre stature.