Walking Britain Sharp Edge & Blencathra from Scales
Introduction to Walk 1506
Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Northern Fells
County/Area - Cumbria
Author - Peter Smyly
Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km
Ascent - 2100 feet / 636 metres
Time - 4 hours 40 minutes
Grade - mod/hard
Blencathra is one of the most easily identified mountains in Lakeland and this Lake District walk takes the most difficult route to the top across Sharp Edge with its steep drops on either side of the path. The descent is via the equally interesting path down Hall's Fell ridge where the use of hands is also recommended. All in all a great day out on the Lake District Fells. Wainwrights included in this walk are - Blencathra. A GPS File is available for download (see walk description). A route profile is also provided.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL5 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL5 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 90 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 90 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walks from the same start
Blencathra via Hall's Fell ridge from Scales Farm
Grade - mod/hard
Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km
Other walks nearby
2.6 miles / 4.2 km away
Bannerdale Crags & Souther Fell
Grade - moderate
Length - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km
3.8 miles / 6.1 km away
Skiddaw & Glenderaterra Beck from Underscar
Grade - moderate
Length - 9.0 miles / 14.6 km
3.8 miles / 6.1 km away
Lonscale Fell & Latrigg from Underscar Lane
Grade - moderate
Length - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km
4.4 miles / 7.1 km away
Carrock Fell, High Pike and Knott from Mosedale
Grade - moderate
Length - 11.0 miles / 17.9 km
4.4 miles / 7.1 km away
Carrock Fell & High Pike from Mosedale
Grade - moderate
Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km
4.6 miles / 7.3 km away
Castlerigg Stone Circle & St John's in the Vale
Grade - easy/mod
Length - 8.5 miles / 13.8 km
4.6 miles / 7.4 km away
Calfhow Pike & the Dodds from Legburthwaite
Grade - moderate
Length - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km
Note : The distances quoted to other walks in the vicinity are measured in a straight line. The distance by road may be further.
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick
Part of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 30 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Keswick, Whinlatter, Bassenthwaite, Caldbeck, Mungrisdale and Threlkeld, with highlights including Skiddaw and Blencathra. Includes suggestions for longer ridge routes.
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The Cumbria Way
A guidebook to the 73 mile Cumbria Way, an easy long-distance walk though the heart of the Lake District National Park, from Ulverston in the south to Carlisle in the north, with good transport links to either end. The route is largely low-level but this guide offers alternative mountain days to climb some of the famous fells en route.
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Map and Compass
An instructive guidebook explaining map and compass techniques, to help readers enhance their outdoor experiences. Whether you are experienced in map-reading, or have never used a compass before, this guidebook will sharpen your skills and have you exploring new areas in no time. There are also tips for GPS and digital mapping technologies.
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