Scout Scar

An Easy Lake District Walk

We love Scout Scar! This is a short walk with big views on the outskirts of Kendal. Here’s how we did it.

Where is Scout Scar?

Scout Scar lies to the west of Kendal, in the very south of the Lake District. The scar overlooks the Lyth Valley and the Lakeland fells beyond.

Scout Scar is a limestone crag that rises to 109 metres above the Lyth Valley below. The scar has a rugged type of landscape, with grass, some hardy bushes and lots of limestone rocks. You will see that people have played with the rocks, and often there are a couple of ‘buildings’ that are in the middle of being built as people add a few rocks to them on their walks.

Where to park for Scout Scar

As you head out of Kendal on Underbarrow Road, follow this as it crosses over the dual carriageway. Not long after this you’ll come to a car park on your right.

The first car park has a large mast and no signage. You want the next one, just round the corner, with a parking sign. Any parking donations you want to make are done through the RingGo app.

Scout Scar Walk

1. From the car park, cross over the road (careful here, the visibility isn’t ideal) and go through the gate. The original kissing gate is also still in place if you’d prefer to keep up kissing gate traditions!

2. Follow the path ahead of you, leading up a fairly steep but short hill. There are a couple of benches along here in case anyone needs a little break. You will start to see the Lakeland fells through the trees as you go up the hill, and it becomes clear how high Scout Scar is compared to the Lyth Valley below.

3. Continue to follow the path as it brings you out onto Scout Scar. The views from here are AMAZING, you can see right down to Morecambe Bay and across to the Lakeland fells.

PLEASE BE AWARE: Scout Scar is a big area, but it stops abruptly at a cliff edge. This cliff edge is fairly close to you as you walk onto the scar. Children and dogs need to be under close control/supervision.

4. You will see a shelter, known as the Mushroom, up ahead of you. make your way to this. The Mushroom was built in 1912 as a memorial to King George V, and restored in 2003. When you get there, you’ll see the surrounding fells and mountains have been drawn on the roof. See how many you can spot!

The Mushroom is a favourite stop for a snack. It can be windy upon the scar but you can usually find a sheltered section. While you’re here, see if you can spot Blackpool Tower down in the sea. It’s possible on a (very) clear day!

5. From here, face south with the cliff edge on your right hand side. Take the path that leads directly from the Mushroom. Keep walking along here as it takes you over the scar, all the time keeping the cliff edge on your right hand side (you’re not too close to the edge here though, don’t worry!). You will eventually see a wall up ahead with a little gap in it, this is where you are heading.

6. Once you’ve gone through the gap in the wall, turn left and you will see the trig point up a slight hill. Head up to this – this is where you’ll turn around to come back.

7. At the trig point, face back towards the Mushroom and the way you just came. There is a wall in front of you, with an opening on the right hand side. Go through this opening, and follow the path. You will have the wall on your right hand side.

8. Stay on this path until you see the Mushroom come into view again. I would stay near the wall until you have passed the ‘viewing window’ that someone has made, and then head back towards the Mushroom.

9. From here, you can simply follow the path you came up on, all the way back to the gate and the car park.

And that’s it!

You might also like to read:

Low Sizergh Barn for a nearby low level walk

Sizergh Castle for another lovely day out

21 Best Family Campsites in the Lake District for ideas of places to stay