Wasdale

Wasdale is the remote, austere valley in the western Lake District that ends at the foot of England's highest mountains. The road from the coast runs along the shore of Wastwater, the deepest lake in England, with the great slope of the Screes plunging straight into the water on the far side. At the head of the valley lie the few buildings of Wasdale Head, ringed by Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Yewbarrow and Scafell Pike.

In 2007 the view up the lake to Great Gable was voted Britain's favourite view in a television poll, and it is easy to see why. Wasdale Head itself has the Wasdale Head Inn, the birthplace of British rock climbing, a campsite, a farm shop and St Olaf's, one of the smallest churches in England, hidden in a grove of yews with memorials to climbers.

Most people come for Scafell Pike, at 978 metres the highest mountain in England, which is climbed from Wasdale Head by the shortest and steepest route. Great Gable, Pillar and the Mosedale Horseshoe are just as fine. For a lower day, the walk along the lake shore and the lane to Wasdale Head is beautiful.

Wasdale is a long way from anywhere: there are no buses, no shops beyond the basics and little or no mobile signal. On the busiest summer weekends the car parks at the lake head and Wasdale Head are overwhelmed by Three Peaks Challenge walkers. Come midweek, and treat Scafell Pike as the serious mountain it is.