Blencathra via Sharp Edge Walk - returning via Blease Fell. A superb Lake District walk

Blencathra walk via Sharp Edge Pictures The Lake District Mountains UK Best View

Here you can see Sharp Edge over looking Scales Tarn - it's an excellent way to get to Blencathra.

Blencathra walk via Sharp Edge Route Details:

Blencathra walk distance: 6.58 miles
Blencathra walk time: 4.5 hours
Blencathra difficulty: Difficult (Sharp Edge is quite tricky and requires some scrambling)

Blencathra walk via Sharp Edge Route overview:

Blencathra itself (sometimes called Saddleback), actually has 6 separate fell tops, the highest being Hallsfell at 2,848 ft. You can see the route we took below, starting from near Scales village, then straight up towards Scales Fell and Scales Tarn. From Scales Tarn there are a few options to get to the top - but Sharp Edge is the most exciting, challenging and my best route. I think it looks worse from a distance and in photos than it actually is when you are on it - although it can be dangerous in wet (and very windy) conditions when it becomes rather slippy (due to the rock being smoothed/polished by the boots of walkers over the years) and can be quite dangerous in ice & snow if you don't have the right equipment. Don't let this put you off though - in dry conditions, as long as you have decent foot wear -I would say it's quite safe if you just be careful :-)

From the top of Blencathra - you can either come back down via one of the routes to Scales Tarn - and then it will be quite a quick walk (3hrs) - or you can continue along the summit yo Hallsfell top, then Knowe Crags and come down Blease Fell towards Threlkeld and then walk back along the base of Blencathra (It was a cracking day - so we wanted to extend the walk and we done this longer route in 4hrs).

Blencathra walk via Sharp Edge Route Map:

This walk goes in an anti-clockwise direction and heads to Scales Tarn & Sharp-Edge first, then onto summit Blencathra and returning via Knowe Crags. This is agreat Blencathra walk if you have time on your hands

If you don't have a Phone Map App - I really recommend the one by Ordnance Survey. You can download route maps to your phone such as this one and the app will show you exactly where you are on the route even when you have no signal - so no more taking a wrong turn :-)

Where to park on this Blencathra Walk?

Blencathra is perhaps the most accessible mountain to travel to in the car if you are entering the lakes from the east on the A66, as it's quite easy to get too, and you can park in a lay-by right on the A66. Head for the White Horse Inn in Scales, postcode CA12 4SY - which is at the foot of Blencathra, and if you get there early you should be able to park up on teh A66 lay-by.

Blencathra walk - photos of what to expect:

And we begin the walk :-) Whilst it's only March (2012) - it's a sunny and very warm day (25c!)

The walk begins pretty steeply up Scales Fell and you are straight into it, so be prepared :-) Here is a shot west towards Derwent Water. Below is a shot east towards the Pennines and from where we came from in the car on the A66. My car is down there somewhere!

What a day for a walk!

After heading up the path then takes you around Scales Fell, where there is now no hint of civilisation. From here you get your first sight of Sharp Edge, below.

first glimpse of sharp edge, blencathra, lake district

Shape edge comes into view

Yup, thats where we are going!

The path is well marked

sharp edge, scales tarn, blencathra, lake district

A little tarn en-route is always a good place to stop off for something to eat, and Scales Tarn is a cracking place to stop, with great views. And in this glorious weather we stayed more than usual. Tempting to even have a little swim!

Sharp Edge to the right, above Scales Tarn

So we begin the climb towards Sharp Edge....

Looking over Scales Tarn

The start of the sharp edge ascent

"Admiring the views"

Doesn't take long to get quite high on sharp-edge. Looking back down on scales tarn.

Incredible views!

Sharp Edge gets pretty steep in parts. Not sure if I would fancy this in the ice & snow!

Here you can see the scramble that awaits up Sharp Edge on this walk

Perhaps the most dramatic shot of the Sharp Edge walk en route to the summit of Blencathra!

I always think some of the edges/ridges in the Lake District (sharp edge, striding edge) look worse and more dramatic from a distance and in photos than they actually are when you are on them, and in dry conditions they are really quite safe. So don't let the above picture put you off - it's not as scary as it looks. I'd encourage anyone with a sense of adventure to try Sharp Edge out. It's only in bad weather (rain, ice, snow) where teh big danger lies and where you gave got to be extra careful and take teh right equipment with you.

Bit of a final scramble near the top of Sharp edge

sharp edge blencathra walk, lake district

Another shot of the sharp edge ridge walk from higher up on this excellent Blencathra walk in the stunning Lake District

Scales tarn looks quite small from up here...

Above, looking west from the summit of Blencathra, where you can make out Derwent Water just off centre. On the horizon to the left I think you can just make out Great Gable & Scafell Pike.

A bit further on west along the ridge, looking back to the summit of Blencathra.

A bit further on west along the ridge, looking back to the summit of Hallsfell on Blencathra

Now on the decent - with good views looking towards Keswick & Derwent Water.

Now on the decent towards Knowe Crags with good views looking towards Keswick & Derwent Water.

Heading towards Threlkeld, the end of the walk now approaching

Looking back up towards the summit of Blencathra you can also come down this way if you wanted a shorter walking route

It's a nice flat leisurely walk back now

You can just about make out the summit of Blencathra in the distance.

Finally, after around 4hours walking in the glorious hot sunshine, and now out of water - perhaps one of the best sights :-) Time for a refreshing drink...

Thanks for reading. I hope this trip report helps & inspires you to venture up to Blencathra via Sharp Edge. Just be careful on Sharp Edge (especially in bad weather) - I'm sure you will love it though. Sharp Edge alongside Striding Edge is one of my favourite walking challenges in the Lake District :-) If you have any questions - just post a comment and I'll try and answer.

A quicker walking route up to Blencathra via Sharp Edge:

I have also blogged about another, quicker walk of 4.5miles up to Blencathra via Sharp Edge - click here to view the blog

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

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