Sharp-edge - what an excellent ridge walk in the Lake District!
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Get the adrenaline going with some Lake District ridges!
I love a good walk that poses a bit of a challenge, gets the adrenaline going and requires a bit of scrambling on occasions. There are 3 brilliant routes in the Lakes that are a bit more hair-raising than your usual Lake District routes and have your walking near sheer drops. They are all perfectly do-able without any specialist equipment and safe if you take your time and do them in good weather. Here's my 3 favourites:
1. Sharp Edge en-route to Blencathra
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A great route to the summit of Blencathra is via Sharp Edge and in this photo of Sharp Edge you can clearly see the terrain of the ridge next to Scales Tarn. It doesn't look too bad from this angle - but there are parts where it's like a knife edge and you understand why it gets its name. In fact it's the sharpest edge in the Lake District.
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| A photo of yours truly on one of the rocky outcrops on Sharp Edge. It looks more intimidating than it is though and you don't have to actually go over this pinnacle. With care the route is perfectly safe and you can find out more about the full walking route to the summit of Blencathra via Sharp Edge on the link below. |
2. Striding Edge en-route to Helvellyn
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| Looking across Striding Edge in all it's glory leading to the summit of Helvellyn, the Lake Districts 2nd highest mountain. There are quite a few routes along Striding Edge - which you can choose from at any point along the way depending on how challenging you want it to be. You can go right over the ridge on the top - or there are easier routes along the side. There are plenty of kids who do it with families - so I'm sure anyone with a little walking experience and a reasonable level of fitness/head for heights can do it - just make sure the weather is good. |
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| The last bit of Striding Edge is the most challenging and you have to use your hands here to climb down - but it's pretty straightforward as long as you take your time. |
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| Helvellyn is one of the Lakes most popular walks and this is a classic Lake District view over Striding Edge from nearer the summit of Helvellyn - with Red Tarn to the left and Ullswater Lake just visible in the distance. Click the button below to view the full route with more photos. |
3. Jack's Rake en-route to Pavey Ark on the Langdale Pikes
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Not so much of a ridge - but it's an exhilarating scramble through a gulley in a natural fissure in the rock face up to Pavey Ark in the Langdale Pikes. Here I've highlighted the route of Jacks Rake which looks very difficult from a distance but it's easier and more do-able than you think
 | As you can see here Jacks Rake looks much more manageable from this angle and you can see the gulley in the first section of Jacks Rake.
 | | Nearing the summit of Pavey Ark on Jacks Rake. You will require use of your hands quite a bit on the scramble up and care does need to be taken as it is quite dangerous and exposed in places. |
 | Making a final push to the summit of Pavey Ark. At no point is it a technically difficult scramble - but you just need to take care with footing as there are plenty of sheer drops which may mess with your mind! But all perfectly safe and doable with no equipment providing the weather conditions are right (no wind, rain or ice/snow!). Click the button below to view the full route with more photos.
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I hope you have found this little introduction to 3 exhilarating Lake District walks useful. As long as you have a bit of hiking experience, plan the routes in good weather and take care I'm sure you will enjoy the routes.
Happy Hiking!
Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'
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Thanks for taking an interest in my blog, all comments and questions are welcome! Best, Stuart