Blencathra

About Blencathra

Blencathra, also known as Saddleback, stands as one of the Lake District's most distinctive and beloved mountains. Whilst it may not reach the heights of Scafell Pike or Helvellyn, this compact massif more than compensates through variety, character and the sheer quality of its routes. The mountain exhibits a strong spirit of independence, rising dramatically from the surrounding valleys with six separate fell tops connected by a complex system of ridges and gills. Its southern face presents one of the most striking mountain profiles in Lakeland—a series of five buttresses separated by deep gills, creating a fan-like appearance that has captivated walkers for generations.

Alfred Wainwright recorded more routes of ascent for Blencathra than any other fell, testament to its remarkable diversity. The mountain offers everything from gentle grassy slopes suitable for families to Sharp Edge—the most exposed and exhilarating scramble in the Lake District. This versatility, combined with accessibility and spectacular views, has made Blencathra a favourite amongst fell walkers of all abilities.

The Name

The name Blencathra derives from Cumbric elements meaning 'the summit of the seat' or 'chair'—a reference to the mountain's distinctive saddle shape when viewed from the east. For many years, Ordnance Survey listed it as 'Saddleback', but Wainwright popularised the older Celtic name, which is now used almost exclusively. The summit itself lies directly above the Hallsfell spur, marked modestly by a concrete ring trig point—understated recognition for such an impressive peak.

The Six Tops

Blencathra's summit ridge comprises six distinct tops: Hallsfell Top (868m, the highest point and only Wainwright summit), Gategill Fell Top (second highest), Atkinson Pike, Doddick Fell, Scales Fell and Knowe Crags (also known as Blease Fell). From the three central tops, spurs run at right angles to the main ridge, beginning as narrow rocky arêtes before widening into broad buttresses that fall 600 metres to the mountain's base.

Sharp Edge: The Ultimate Challenge

Sharp Edge represents the jewel in Blencathra's crown—an aptly named knife-edge arête providing one of Britain's finest and most notorious scrambles. Wainwright noted that "The crest itself is sharp enough for shaving (the former name was razor edge) and can be traversed only à cheval at some risk of damage to tender parts." The ridge is barely a metre wide at its narrowest, with drops of up to 200 metres on either side.

Starting from Scales village, the route climbs past the circular Scales Tarn—a glacial corrie waterbody set dramatically beneath Sharp Edge, Tarn Crags and Hallsfell Top. The scramble begins with an easy-angled groove before ascending onto the exposed crest. A prominent pavement-wide level section, though never technically difficult, combines exposure with highly polished rock. A bold step past a leaning pinnacle constitutes what many consider the crux, though the final scramble up Foule Crag where the ridge meets the fellside is both technically more challenging and more exposed—a genuine Grade 1 scramble requiring steady nerve and dry conditions.

Sharp Edge should never be underestimated. The polished rock becomes treacherous when wet, and the exposed position combined with crosswinds can prove unnerving even for experienced scramblers. Multiple fatalities have occurred here—a sobering reminder that this is serious mountain terrain demanding respect, proper conditions and honest self-assessment.

Hall's Fell Ridge: The Finest Descent

Wainwright's considered Hall's Fell Ridge "positively the finest way to any mountain-top in the district"—high praise indeed from the master. This southern ridge provides the perfect counterpoint to Sharp Edge: longer, more sustained, but less technically demanding. The upper crest offers delightful Grade 1 scrambling—"a succession of low crags, with steps and gateways and towers of rock" as Wainwright described it. The last half mile, known as the Narrow Edge, combines exposure with manageable scrambling, though bypass paths exist for those preferring to avoid the rockiest sections.

Descending Hall's Fell Ridge after ascending Sharp Edge creates a classic circular route—arguably one of the finest mountain days in Britain. The ridge's gentle curve, viewed from above during descent, reveals its sublime beauty and architectural elegance in full.

Alternative Routes

For those seeking less technical approaches, Blencathra offers several excellent options. The Scales Fell route follows a broad grassy ridge south of Scales Tarn—straightforward walking with no scrambling required. The Blease Fell route provides family-friendly ascent from Threlkeld via gentle grassy slopes. Gategill Fell starts steeply but becomes interesting once the ridge walk begins at Knott Halloo.

The Summit Experience

Hallsfell Top, the highest point, features a modest concrete ring trig point—deliberately understated for such effort required. Nearby, descending slightly into the saddle, a large cross laid out in white stones commemorates local fellwalkers. Its origins remain uncertain, though extension to its current size (exceeding 3 metres) is attributed to Harold Robinson of Threlkeld, a frequent visitor after the Second World War.

Views from the summit are extraordinary. Westward lies Skiddaw's bulk, whilst north to north-east the Back o'Skiddaw fells provide foreground to the mountains of Galloway, the Southern Uplands and the Border hills. The sharp fall of slopes in every direction enhances perspectives, creating a genuine summit feel despite modest absolute altitude.

Historical Significance

Mining activity beneath Blencathra's slopes has occurred for centuries. Threlkeld mine lies at the base of Hallsfell, whilst Brundholme and Blencathra mines operated in the Glenderaterra valley. Lead, copper and baryte were raised between the mid-19th century and final closure in 1920. The mountain has inspired poets including Wordsworth and features in local legends, including tales of ghost armies on nearby Souther Fell.