Blencathra via Blease Fell
Photo: © Lee McCoy
Start Threlkeld
Getting here Parking: Threlkeld village (no public car park, customers only), 0.2 km from the start (straight line). Bus: the 509, X4 and X5 stop at Threlkeld, by Village Hall, a 160 m walk from this start. Getting there ↓ · Route map ↓
Hardest part Hard steepness: Steepest sustained descent about 33% around the 7.8 km mark. Hard navigation: Broad or featureless ground where navigation is serious in cloud — map and compass needed. Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet
Before you choose
- This route deliberately avoids Sharp Edge — that classic arête is a serious, exposed scramble and a frequent accident spot.
- Steep grass on the descent ridges can be slippery when wet.
Hazard & incident notes: Blencathra - Hallsfell Top
Conditions on this route
We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 1 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.
Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →
Daylight & turnaround
Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.
See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.
Route map
1 Knowe Crags (Blease Fell)2 Gategill Fell Top3 Blencathra - Hallsfell Top4 Doddick Fell5 Scales Fell
Easy 61%Moderate 31%Hard 8%Severe
Heights on this chart and its high point are read from the track itself (a terrain model sampled along the line, or a GPS recording), so a top can differ from its listed height, usually reading lower.
Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap, with SRTM elevation data (switch layers top-right).
The elevation profile is under the map; the stage notes follow.
The walk, stage by stage
- 1
Threlkeld → Knowe Crags (Blease Fell) (4.0 km, 638 m)
From Threlkeld, head up past the Blencathra Centre to reach the open fellside, immediately tackling the relentless, grassy zig-zags that pull straight up the sprawling westernmost spur of the mountain, culminating at the rocky edge of Knowe Crags on Blease Fell.
WaypointsThrelkeld village (start), Blencathra Centre (vicinity), Blease Fell zig-zags, Knowe Crags (805m).
Decision pointBlease Fell is a massive, distinctive grassy ramp. The heavily eroded zig-zag path is blindingly obvious in all but the thickest snow, naturally funneling you directly onto the high plateau.
Easy to get wrongThis is a massive, unforgiving grassy treadmill. The 16% average gradient over 4 km demands a huge aerobic effort. The grass can be slick after rain, and there is zero shelter from the wind once you clear the lower intake walls.
If you need to get offSimply turn 180 degrees and march straight back down the grassy slope. You have continuous line-of-sight to the valley floor, providing an immediate retreat to Threlkeld.
- 2
Knowe Crags (Blease Fell) → Gategill Fell Top (0.7 km, 57 m)
Traverse east along the high, relatively flat rim of the mountain plateau, enjoying the sudden, plunging views down the precipitous southern ridges, arriving at the minor prominence that sits directly above the steep arête of Gategill Edge.
WaypointsBlease Fell plateau, Gategill Fell Top (852m).
Decision pointThe sheer, scalloped edge of the southern coves acts as a continuous, massive handrail. Keep the dramatic drops to your right, and the flat expanse of the Skiddaw Forest to your left.
Easy to get wrongThe walking here is delightfully easy on short grass and stones, but the topography changes dramatically to your right (south). The edge drops away vertically into deep coves, and vicious updrafts frequently funnel up these ravines to blast the plateau rim.
If you need to get offReversing your route back to Blease Fell and descending the grassy ramp is the better option. Under no circumstances should you attempt to drop down Gategill Edge in bad weather as an escape; it is a steep, loose, and serious scramble.
- 3
Gategill Fell Top → Blencathra - Hallsfell Top (0.7 km, 44 m)
Continue the eastward traverse along the dramatically scalloped rim, curving gently up over stony ground to finally reach the true summit of Blencathra at Hallsfell Top, marked by its iconic white concrete summit ring and Ordnance Survey trig point.
WaypointsGategill Fell Top, Hallsfell Top (true summit, 868m).
Decision pointFollow the cliff edge, taking care not to wander too far right. The white concrete surveyor's ring set into the ground at the summit is completely unique in the Lake District and impossible to mistake.
Easy to get wrongThe summit plateau is highly exposed to northerly and easterly winds. The ground transitions to slick, shattered Skiddaw slate near the true summit, which can be treacherous under a layer of frost or verglas in the colder months.
If you need to get offDo not attempt to descend Hall's Fell ridge (directly south of the summit) as a bailout; it is a Grade 1 scramble that is dangerous in descent for the inexperienced. Retreat west along the plateau to the Blease Fell descent.
- 4
Blencathra - Hallsfell Top → Doddick Fell (0.6 km, 12 m)
Leave the summit and bear slightly east/south-east, picking your way down a steep, rocky, and heavily eroded path that drops sharply off the high plateau onto the narrow, distinct upper reaches of the Doddick Fell ridge.
WaypointsHallsfell Top descent, Doddick Fell upper ridge.
Decision pointThe ridge line branches complexly on this eastern side. Ensure you bear left (east) towards Scales and Doddick, explicitly avoiding the temptation to drop dead south onto the rocky arêtes unless you are intending to scramble.
Easy to get wrongThe initial descent off Hallsfell Top is steep and composed of loose slate and ball-bearing gravel, demanding careful foot placement to avoid slipping and jarring the knees. The ridge narrows here, so exposure to the wind remains high.
If you need to get offOnce you begin descending this eastern flank, you are committed to the descent. Push on down to the grass of Scales Fell rather than cutting sideways into the steep gills.
- 5
Doddick Fell → Scales Fell (0.4 km, 12 m)
Continue the descent, moving off the slightly sharper Doddick spur to join the massive, sweeping, broad grassy shoulder of Scales Fell that stretches out eastward.
WaypointsDoddick Fell ridge, Scales Fell upper shoulder.
Decision pointAim generally east, following the heavy wear on the grass. The deep depression containing Scales Tarn will eventually become visible below you to the left (north), confirming you are on the correct descent spur.
Easy to get wrongThe terrain rapidly transitions from loose rock back to short, smooth grass. While technically easy, this grass becomes surprisingly slippery when wet, and the sheer broadness of Scales Fell can be disorienting in thick hill fog compared to the sharp ridges you just left.
If you need to get offKeep descending east/south-east.
Scales Fell → Finish (5.5 km, 54 m)
Plunge down the long, grassy spine of Scales Fell until you meet the lower traverse path near Mousthwaite Comb. Turn right (west) to join this heavily worn balcony track, contouring the entire southern base of Blencathra, crossing numerous stream ravines to eventually close the loop back at Threlkeld.
WaypointsScales Fell descent, Mousthwaite Comb (vicinity), Blencathra southern traverse path, Doddick Gill/Gategill crossings, Threlkeld (finish).
Decision pointOnce on the lower traverse path, it is a massive, clear highway cut into the fellside. Keep the steep mountain slopes on your right and the A66 valley floor on your left, and the track leads back to Threlkeld.
Easy to get wrongThe long descent off Scales Fell is a massive knee-jolter. The subsequent 5.5 km lower traverse is highly deceptive; it crosses several deep ravines (like Doddick Gill and Gategill) which require short, tiring drops and steep pull-outs that will drain whatever energy you have left at the end of the day.
If you need to get offThis final stage is itself the low-level walk-out, so the way off is to stay on the path to the finish. We have not checked any line from this path down to the A66, and we do not offer one.
GPX track for your GPS or phone. Planned route · not yet walked
Summits bagged (5)
- 1Knowe Crags (Blease Fell)805 m
- 2Gategill Fell Top852 m
- 3Blencathra - Hallsfell Top868 m
- 4Doddick Fell742 m
- 5Scales Fell682 m
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
More about this walk
Conditions and timing
Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.
Getting there and back
Parking
2 more places to park near the start
Positions are approximate.
Vehicles are left at their owner’s risk: we list places people park and cannot vouch for any of them. Take valuables with you and leave nothing on show.
If the parking is full
If the first one is full, these overlap least in our model. The 3 below sit in different places or are different kinds of parking, so a busy morning at one does not mean a busy morning at all of them.
- Threlkeld Cricket Club (car park) — joins the loop at about km 11.4 of 11.9: a 250 m walk to the line, and you walk the round from there
- Scales Fell (layby) — joins the loop at about km 7.9 of 11.9: a 520 m walk to the line, climbing about 140 m, and you walk the round from there
- Knowe Crags, south-west (layby) — joins the loop at about km 1.8 of 11.9: a 250 m walk to the line, climbing about 30 m, and you walk the round from there
We never say whether anywhere has spaces today. Walks to the line are measured along mapped paths (OpenStreetMap), not in a straight line. How we choose these places.
No signal when you get there? RoutePark keeps this list on your phone: choose this walk’s GPX at home, keep it, and it opens offline.
Buses
The 509, X4 and X5 stop at Threlkeld, by Village Hall, a 160 m walk from this start. We haven’t published last buses, Sunday or winter service yet, so check the timetable before you rely on getting back.
The 509 passes this route at 0.0 km (Threlkeld, outside West End, 420 m off the line). It passes again at 11.6 km. Seasonal: the 509 does not run from 2 November 2026 to 21 March 2027.
Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.
Toilets and refreshments
The essentials
- Arrival No public car park is mapped at the start in Threlkeld. Threlkeld Car Park is about 250 m away; its fee is not verified, so check the signs on arrival. (our parking map, from OpenStreetMap, checked 10 August 2026)
- Toilets Public toilets are mapped near the start. 65 m in a straight line, not a walking distance. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
- Refreshments Threlkeld Coffee Shop is mapped near the start. Its opening hours are not recorded. 56 m in a straight line, not a walking distance. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
- Limitation A sustained descent of about 33% near the 7.8 km mark, hard on tired knees. Not a pushchair route. (our steepness model, from the route's own track, checked 25 September 2026)
Everything mapped near the start
Mapped as nearby on OpenStreetMap, as of 13 September 2026, within 250 m of where this route starts (information boards within 150 m; benches and shelter within 50 m):
Distances are straight lines from where this route starts, not walking routes. Opening hours are as mapped and change; none of this is checked daily.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (opens in new tab), ODbL.
Water, shelter & getting away
On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors — an absent marker does not mean the facility isn’t there.
Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat
Planning detail
How each grade on this page is set, and the timings stage by stage.
Difficulty profile
Hard overall — hardest: Steepness and navigation (our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet); terrain not assessed
Five independent axes, not one score. This route has not been walked yet, so none of them was set on the ground: two of the five are our judgement from the map and the route’s record, and the rest are computed from the recorded track and the map, which measures the line rather than surveying the ground.
How we grade: each axis is Easy, Moderate, Hard or Severe, and a route between two bands takes the higher one. Length: under 8 km, 8–14 km, 14–20 km, over 20 km. Steepness, the steepest 500 m of the track: under 15%, 15–25%, 25–35%, over 35%. Terrain, navigation and exposure are judged rather than measured, and each note says why. How we grade.
Pacing
| Summit | Cumulative | Ascent | Time (fast–steady) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Knowe Crags (Blease Fell) | 4.0 km | 638 m | 1:51–2:28 |
| 2Gategill Fell Top | 4.7 km | 694 m | 2:06–2:47 |
| 3Blencathra - Hallsfell Top | 5.4 km | 738 m | 2:18–3:04 |
| 4Doddick Fell | 6.0 km | 750 m | 2:26–3:15 |
| 5Scales Fell | 6.4 km | 762 m | 2:33–3:23 |
| Finish | 11.9 km | 816 m | 3:44–4:58 |
A fast–steady range from Naismith’s rule, deliberately on the slow side. Breaks, weather, rough ground and the slowest person in your party all add to it. How we time walks.
Access & barriers
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route?
- Buggy: No mapped stiles, but the ground underfoot has not been assessed; not a buggy line on what we know.
- Knees: A long, steep ~37% drop over 250 m around the 7.6 km mark — hard on the knees.
With a dog
Hardest for a dog here: the steepest stretch, a sustained descent of about 33% around the 7.8 km mark.
- Stiles and gates: Only gates and kissing gates are mapped: no stile a dog can’t get through. That is the barriers alone; check the route’s steep or rocky ground before you bring a dog. (OpenStreetMap, mapped as of 9 July 2026)
- Rock and scrambling: Ground underfoot: Not assessed.
- Drops and exposed ground: Easy – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet. No scrambling, but the summit ridge runs along the top of steep crags; keep back from the edge in wind or cloud.
- Ways off early: None recorded for this route.
- Livestock, shade and water: Not recorded for this route yet. We never call a stream safe for a dog to drink, so carry enough for both of you. The lead rules, and what to do around cattle, are on dogs on the fells.
On the line: 1 gate
Barriers as mapped on OpenStreetMap, which can miss some. Spotted one? Tell us (opens in new tab). Barrier data as of 9 July 2026. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).
Places to stay near this start
From Threlkeld: 6 places in Keswick
Walks from places nearby
- Walks from Threlkeld — 0.1 km from this start
Straight-line distance from this walk’s start. Those lists hold the routes we have mapped and every Wainwright and Outlying fell within about 5 km of the town, ranked nearest first.
