Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge up Blencathra: route map, distance and time
868 m · Cumbria
Blencathra is one of the best-known Lake District fells, a long ridged mountain above Threlkeld climbed by walking paths and by the scrambles of Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell Ridge.
Climb from Gate Gill up the rocky crest of Hall's Fell Ridge, which finishes at Hallsfell Top.
Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 733 m |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Threlkeld village |
| Start grid reference | NY 321 253 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 323 277 |
Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Horse & Farrier Inn0.1 km
- Salutation Inn0.2 km
- Threlkeld Coffee Shop0.2 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets1.9 km
- Setmabanning Caravan Park0.7 km
- Low Hollows1.6 km
- Burns Farm Caravan Site1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:07. Start by 14:27 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Blencathra summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 19 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:07.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 44 mph gusting 55 mph, 32% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 19 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Blencathra forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Blencathra?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Blencathra
Blencathra is one of the best-known Lake District fells, a long ridged mountain above Threlkeld climbed by walking paths and by the scrambles of Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell Ridge. More about Blencathra, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Atkinson Pike (845 m), 0.6 km north
- Gategill Fell Top (852 m), 0.7 km south-west
- Bannerdale Crags (684 m), 1.8 km north-east
- Mungrisdale Common (632 m), 1.9 km north-west
- Bowscale Fell (702 m), 3 km north
Challenges that include Blencathra
More walks from Threlkeld village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths up Gategill Fell Top
- Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths up Atkinson Pike
Other routes up Blencathra
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scales via Scales Fell | 3.0 km one way | 634 m | 1h 40m | Moderate |
| Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths | 2.7 km one way | 680 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
| Scales via Sharp Edge | 4.4 km one way | 816 m | 2h 15m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 321 253, the summit at NY 323 277), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge?
The Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge is 3.6 km one way to the summit of Blencathra, with 733 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.2 km.
How long does the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of Blencathra and 2h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge?
The Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge starts from Threlkeld village. The grid reference is NY 321 253.
Is the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day, or take Scales via Scales Fell instead.
What time should I start the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge today?
By 14:27 at the latest. Sunset on Blencathra today is 18:07, The Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge takes about 2h 40m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).