Blencathra

Overview

Situated in the North East region of the Lake District National Park, Blencathra, or Saddleback as its also known, is one of lakelands grandest peaks sitting in an isolated and imposing position. To paraphrase the legendary British walker and writer Alfred Wainright: This is a mountain that compels attention, even for those dull people whose eyes are not habitually lifted to the hills. To artists and photographers it is an obvious subject for their craft; to sightseers its influence is magnetic; to the dalesfolk it is the eternal background to there lives, there at birth, there at death. But most of all it is a mountaineers mountain. Blencathra offers numerous means of ascent either by hiking and or scrambling normally from its southern flank. Here there are five main buttresses offering nine means of ascent. The most rewarding of these is a traverse of the justly popular Sharp Edge and Halls Fell Ridges which offer easy Grade 1 summer scrambling or winter climbs. However, care should be taken on the ascent of Sharp Edge in wet and windy conditions.

Getting There

Blencathra is situated just to the north of the A66 Penrith to Keswick road next to Threlkheld. There is parking at Scales and Threlkeld.

Red Tape

There is no red tape but please follow the country code and take special care during lambing time in the spring.

Accommodation

There are numerous Hotel, B&B and campsites in and around Keswick. It is not unkown for people to wild camp beside Scales Tarn at the foot of Sharp Edge.

External Links

Lake District Weatherline Lake District National Park Website

Maps and Guidebooks

Explorer OL5 The English Lakes North Eastern Area 1:25000 Alfred Wainright: Pictorial Guide to the Northern Fells

Images

View Blencathra Image Gallery - 37 Images