Blencathra — Local services in Threlkeld

Although the summit of Blencathra is 868m there are a number of different ways to reach it. For the adventurous the sharp edge route where you have to scramble over the rocks of sharp edge is a challenging route. The Halls Fell route up is also described by Alfred Wainwright who wrote the Lake district pictorial guides as the finest ascent of any mountain. There are easier routes to the summit though. The most straightforward route is to simply park at the Blencathra centre car park and walk up the path that starts on the right hand side of the car park. The postcode for the car park is CA12 4SG. The path is a good one and winds its way right to the summit. It's very wide and easy and safe to walk on. It's a long walk though. I reached the summit in an hour and a half but others may be slower or faster depending on fitness. It's a good idea to check the weather forecast so that you can get the best weather as this will result in better views. Keep in mind that this is a mountain though and not some man made tourist attraction. Even if the weather is hot and sunny ALWAYS carry an emergency shelter or orange emergency bag so that you have protection from the elements should you get in to any difficulty. Carry a decent water proof coat in your rucksack and fleece and hat. Wear proper hiking trousers or lightweight tracksuit bottoms. Never wear jeans as if they get wet in rain they will never get dry. Wear proper hiking boots too. Be aware that the temperature on the top of many mountains is often much colder than on the lower slopes so always walk prepared as you could suffer from hypothermia if you are on the summit in very cold conditions without adequate clothing. Finally be sure to bring water and some...

Great walk up a beautiful mountain. The views at the top looking south are pretty spectacular on a clear day.

It gets very busy due to the location on the a66 and the ease of access to this mountain. I parked at the foot of mousthwaite beck, there is a small car park there, which will accommodate no more than about 10 cars. There is parking on the a66 but again it's limited. I was up at 0400hrs and got there for 0600hrs in order to get parked.

The route its self was from mousthwaite car park, up the side of scales fell and onto sharps edge, and then blencathra. Sharps edge is a little hairy so if you do this route take your time as folk have died doing it. I wouldn't recommend it in high winds or poor weather as there is a sharp drop either side which will certainly hurt you in a very bad way should you fall. If you have done stridings edge then you will get the idea. Though, on that depressing note, it is well worth the venture and lots of fun to do.

The path en route to sharps edge is a very good and well maintained mountain path, and the path on top of blencathra is also well established. Sharps edge climb is mostly a scramble, so you will be using your hands and feet to climb it. But again well worth it.

There is a tarn called scales tarn where the path splits for sharps edge, so you don't have to climb it if you chose not to.

Awesome mountain, i highly...

Beautiful place! the mountain itself is fantastic! with a very unique and beautiful scenery all around it! (especially when thick mist shows up all around summit) when it feels like you are in totally different place on earth... very mystical! total height of the mountain on top/summit of it is: 868 meters, and elevation: 461 meters. The easiest route up is from the free car park just above Blencathra Field Studies Centre (FSC) – it means you can drive up the first 300 metres, leaving just 568 metres of ascent. From the car park, follow the finger signpost pointing uphill and follow the well worn track. It’s just under 2.5 miles from there to the summit and, although it is undeniably uphill, there are plenty of excuses to stop and take in the views on the way up. The path is so broad that you can even head up in a specially adapted wheelchair. Assuming you’ve allowed plenty of time, then there’s also no need to rush. Ignore any hikers (or fell runners) who come whistling past; you can take your time and enjoy taking it all in. My Verdict...