Blencathra (Saddleback) via Blease Fell ascent and Scales Fell descent

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Blencathra [N]

INDY May 19, 2025 Threlkeld, Blease Fell, Blencathra, Scales Fell
Distance 11.56 km, Time 4.33 h, Total Ascent 833 m Imperial | MetricWainwright Pictorial Guide: The Northern Fells

INDY SAYS: An easy one this, I prefer these sloping paths to the engineered stone steps on some routes. It was windy and cold at the summit, but warm on the way back

We make a long walk out of Blencathra by taking in the entire fell, Blease Fell ascent and Scales Fell descent. On our early start we see no-one for two hours

Start point, map and route information at bottom of page

The weather forecast today is definite cloud in the morning, probable thunderstorms in the afternoon.
We prefer definite cloud, so set off at 7am for Blencathra (Saddleback). We ascend via Blease Fell and descend via Scales Fell, traversing the whole of Blencathra.

Cloudy summits over Threlkeld

The ascent of Blease Fell is wIndy

This unusual cairn is a vertical piece of slate

Soon at Knowe Crags

Clouds are rolling past ahead of us

Indy admires the views, Halls Fell ridge is behind

The path to Blencathra is clear

And here we are at the summit, before 9am. The summit cairn is a strange circle

For the first two hours of hiking today we did not see a single soul. It's nice to have the fells to yourself, but it's an eerie feeling in this weather.

The sun tries to break through the clouds ahead of us

This is Scales Tarn, the camera has made it look more attractive.
It was cold, dark and foreboding

Indy wasn't interested, so instead of our planned detour we had a long coffee break and snacks and water

On Scales Fell

Descending Scales Fell, the Pennines are in the distance

Quick stop at Doddick Gill

Homeward bound now

Doddick Gill

An interesting stile with dog tunnel underneath

Indy leaves her paw marks on this wooden bridge

Start:
1) Buses from Keswick / Penrith to Threlkeld
2) Car parking at the Blencathra Centre [NY 31844 25600] or in Threlkeld village
Route:
Threlkeld, Blease Fell, Blencathra, Scales Fell Distance 11.56 km, Time 4.33 h, Total Ascent 833 m
Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless mentioned otherwise.
Km, hike time and metres of ascent as supplied by OS. Planned route

Route Map and Details

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