Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District
Bowfell is the 6th highest of the Wainwrights, located in his Southern Fells. An extremely popular walk with a number of different routes to the summit, it is one of the classic Wainwright walking locations. A looming presence between Langdale and Eskdale, its pyramid shaped summit is a recognisable and impressive landmark in the heart of the Lake District. As well as a haven for hikers, Bowfell is also popular with climbers, with Cambridge Crag and Bowfell Buttress excellent locations for those who prefer ropes and carabiners to walking boots and a Wainwright map.
It is difficult to pinpoint the highlight of the views at the summit of this Wainwright fell, given the astonishing panorama available to those who reach the top. With every major fell range in the Lake District visible, Bowfell presents a wealth of classic Lakeland views, including the Langdale Pikes, Helvellyn group and of course, the nearby Scafells. On very clear days, Wainwright Walkers will find they can see as far as the Cheviots, Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Pendle Hill in Lancashire, Snowdonia, Anglesey, the Isle of Man and the distant fells of Dumfries and Galloway. Bowfell's panorama really does take some beating!
Because of its central position and prominence, Bowfell is popular with walkers and there are a number of routes to the top, including direct paths from Eskdale, Stonethwaite and via Rossett Gill. Another option to complete more than one peak from a Wainwright Tick List is to take indirect routes via fellow Wainwrights Crinkle Crags, Esk Pike or Rossett Pike. Those committed to completing as many fells from their Wainwright maps as possible in a day might take a circular route through the Esk Hause fells from Borrowdale, which includes Great End, Broad Crag, Ill Crag, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Allen Crags - although this is a particularly lengthy hike that should be reserved for long summer days!
Further reading on the Wainwright hill Bowfell can be found in Book Four, The Southern Fells of Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.