Via Halls Fell & Sharp Edge

​​

Blencathra is one of the most accessible mountains in the Lake District, sitting conveniently right beside the A66. Its easy access means that whether you’re staying in Cockermouth, Keswick, Penrith, or Ambleside, you’ll have only a short drive to reach the start of your adventure.

With numerous routes to choose from, popular starting points include Keswick, Scales, and Threlkeld. For our preferred route, which ascends both Halls Fell Ridge and Sharp Edge (rather than the traditional loop of one up and one down), we begin in the charming village of Threlkeld.

Threlkeld itself offers a range of accommodation options, is well connected by public transport, and boasts an excellent local pub — the Horse & Farrier — perfect for a post-walk meal or celebratory drink.

​

Grade:Moderate with very exposed scrambling on the ridge.

Terrain: Rough Ground

Duration: 5-6 Hours

Route Stats: Miles: 6 Ascent: 750m

​

Thanks to the steep nature of Blencathra’s slopes, the challenge begins almost as soon as you set off. After around an hour of steady walking along the trail up Halls Fell, the terrain steepens and the real fun begins — the scrambling.

Halls Fell Ridge offers an excellent warm-up for what’s to come later, with some truly exciting sections of hands-on rock. The ridge leads directly to the summit of Blencathra, marked by a circular trig point set into the ground. From here, a short descent brings you down to the peaceful shores of Scales Tarn — an ideal spot to rest, refuel, and soak up the stunning surroundings.

Next up is the day’s highlight: Sharp Edge. Once on the crest, you’ll enjoy careful but exhilarating scrambling across pinnacles, steps, and slabs. The ridge is over all too soon, but the exit slopes provide a fittingly enjoyable finish. Be sure to take a few moments at the top to pause and appreciate your achievement and the breathtaking views.

From here, several descent options are available. Our preferred route traverses west across the top of Blencathra before descending the broad grassy slopes of Blease Fell, offering superb views deep into the heart of the Lake District. Alternative descent routes include Doddick Fell and Scales Fell, and for keen Wainwright baggers, a detour to Mungrisdale Common can easily be added.

Because of the rock type that forms Blencathra and its ridges, this route is best tackled in dry conditions. Many incidents have occurred when attempting Sharp Edge in the wet — so much so that it’s considered an accident black spot by the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. While some people choose to take dogs along, we strongly advise against attempting Sharp Edge with pets.

This route is suitable for those with basic hill-walking fitness and experience. It’s not ideal for anyone with vertigo, though we’ve guided many people who were initially nervous about exposure — and they’ve gone on to have a fantastic, confidence-building day on the mountain.

​

Check our Open Events diary to see what dates we have this walk scheduled on throughout the year. Also available on a bespoke basis for groups of all size.