Blencathra routes, easiest to hardest: times, distances and GPX

Peakify lists 4 measured routes up Blencathra, traced on OpenStreetMap paths from the start to the summit. Distances and ascent are one way, to the top.

Blencathra routes, easiest to hardest

Sorted by grade, easiest first: Easy, Moderate, Hard, then Scramble. Routes with the same grade keep the order in which Peakify's editors listed them.

Blencathra route times by Naismith's rule

The times above use Naismith's rule: 5 km/h on the flat plus 10 minutes for every 100 m of ascent, rounded to the nearest 5 minutes. "There and back" doubles the distance and counts the ascent once, for coming down the same way. Naismith assumes a fit walker and no stops, so add time for breaks, a heavy pack, rough or snowy ground, and a group that moves at its slowest member's pace.

Each Blencathra route

Scales via Scales Fell

A steady path climbs the broad ridge of Scales Fell above the River Glenderamackin to the summit plateau. It starts from Scales (roadside parking by the White Horse). 3.0 km one way with 634 m of ascent. About 1h 40m to the summit and 2h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule. Grade: Moderate.

Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths

A hard mountain walk to the summit from Threlkeld public car park. It starts from Threlkeld public car park. 2.7 km one way with 680 m of ascent. About 1h 40m to the summit and 2h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule. Grade: Hard.

Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge

Climb from Gate Gill up the rocky crest of Hall's Fell Ridge, which finishes at Hallsfell Top. It starts from Threlkeld village. 3.6 km one way with 733 m of ascent. About 1h 55m to the summit and 2h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule. Grade: Scramble.

Scales via Sharp Edge

Walk up beside the Glenderamackin to Scales Tarn, cross the narrow rock crest of Sharp Edge and climb to Atkinson Pike. It starts from Scales (roadside parking by the White Horse). 4.4 km one way with 816 m of ascent. About 2h 15m to the summit and 3h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule. Grade: Scramble.

Blencathra route GPX

Download a GPX for each route with a track: Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths. Each is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.

Before you pick a route

The grade describes the ground in fair weather. Wind, rain, cloud and ice change it: a Moderate path can be hard to follow in mist, and a scramble in strong gusts is a different proposition from the same rock on a calm day. Check whether it is safe to climb Blencathra today and the Blencathra 14-day forecast before you set off, and allow for the walk out in daylight.

Planning a day on Blencathra routes

The walking times above use Naismith's rule, which assumes a fit walker on good paths with short stops. Most groups take longer: add a quarter for a mixed group, more for children or heavy packs, and plan the descent as carefully as the climb, because tired legs and fading light cause more trouble on the way down than on the way up.

Start early. Car parks at popular starts fill by mid-morning in summer and at weekends, and an early start leaves spare daylight if the weather turns or the walk takes longer than planned. In winter, work back from sunset and leave a margin of at least an hour.

Carry a map and compass and know how to use them, even on a well-trodden path; a phone battery fails fastest in cold, wet weather. Pack a waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm layer, a hat and gloves in every season, plus food, water and a head torch. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.

If you are new to Blencathra, choose the easiest route in the table for a first ascent and save the harder lines for a settled day when you know the mountain. Turning back is always an option; the summit will still be there.

Questions about Blencathra

What is the easiest route up Blencathra?

Blease Fell from the Blencathra Centre above Threlkeld and Scales Fell from Scales both give you a walking route with no scrambling.

How much time does each Blencathra route take?

Scales via Scales Fell: about 1h 40m up and 2h 15m there and back. Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths: about 1h 40m up and 2h 15m there and back. Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge: about 1h 55m up and 2h 40m there and back. Scales via Sharp Edge: about 2h 15m up and 3h 5m there and back. Times are by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops.

Can I get a GPX file for a Blencathra route?

Yes. Open a route below and download its GPX: an ascent track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths.