BLENCATHRA WALKING ROUTE

Quick facts

DURATION

4-5 hours

DISTANCE

6 - 12 miles

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

All levels

Standing at 868m (2848 ft.), Blencathra is also known as Saddleback and is one of the most Northerly fells in the Lake District. The fell is actually made of 6 different tops of which the highest is Hallsfell Top.


HIKING/ TRAIL RUNNING ROUTE FROM SCALES

When starting from this area, you are able to park in a small car park beside "The White Horse" Pub. Next to this pub is a small stone car park which is in a great place to start as it's close to the base of the mountain itself as well as close to a pub for a celebratory drink at the end. Firstly, you will need to head towards the road and follow the pavement as if you were walking to Threlkeld. After walking along the pavement for around 300m opposite a small lay-by is a footpath beside a house. ...

As you pass through the gate in front you hike for another 100m until you reach another gate which leads you to the open fell. There are a number of paths that will take you up the fell from this point. You'll want to take the path on your left-hand side which will take you along the wall the entire way. Following this path will bring you to Scaley Beck. To carry on it does require a small scramble around a rock to carry on along the path. As you continue to move towards Doddick Gill the wall will remain on your left along the entire way. Before you drop back down there is a steep path that shoots up to your right which you will now follow.

The path from this point is very obvious and will tasks you all the way to the summit. It will start out as grass with some small amount of rocks but zigzags its way up the fell. Following this, the path will turn to loose rocks and the gradient starts to increase and may require a small amount of scrambling. The path will then flatten off before you start the main scramble on the ridge.

The length of the ridge goes through phases of scrambling and walking, with some parts becoming quite steep. However, there are paths that will maneuver around some of the main scrambles towards the summit. Following this main path will take you all the way to the summit.

There are a number of ways you can descend down Blencathra, firstly you can come back the way you had ascended. On the other hand, you can descend down via Scales Fell. One at the top you head East and descend of the top and zigzag your way down off the fell. The path will be obvious as you keep a body of water (Scales Tarn) on your left. As you descend you will want to keep taking the paths on your right until you return to the path that follows the wall. Following the wall will bring you back to the gate which will lead you back to the road and the pub.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Caution should be taken at all times when running or hiking in the Lake District fells. Only undertake a route if you are adequately prepared and fully equipped for the conditions you might face, ensuring to carry all emergency equipment. Headtorch with spare batteries, a full set of waterproofs, emergency blankets, and whistle. Please also ensure you are confident in the use of a map and compass.

Check mountain weather forecasts before setting off (the weather can change very quickly in the fells, especially higher up) and always let someone else know the route you are planning to take.

Stay on the designated paths, respect the countryside, leave gates as you find them, take all your litter home, and no leave nothing but footprints.

For more advice on safety in the Lake District fells we thoroughly recommend you read these two pages by Mountain Rescue and Lake District National Park.

Kit advice: The highest peaks in England are prone to unpredictable and inhospitable weather, so for this walk, we recommend the Thermoshell Pro Insulated Jacket for extra warmth if the temperate plummets and the Stormshell Waterproof Jacket for maximum waterproofing. 

Walking & Hiking Essentials