Blencathra: Height, Walks and Northern Fells Views

Blencathra rises sharply above Threlkeld and the A66, its southern ridges giving one of the most recognisable outlines in the northern Lakes. At 867.8m, it combines a broad summit skyline with steep gullies, rocky edges and quieter grassy slopes to the north. Walkers know it for Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell, but its appeal reaches beyond scrambling: this is a fell with several distinct faces and far-reaching views.

A fell of ridges and contrasting slopes

Seen from the south, Blencathra presents a succession of ridges divided by deep gullies. Its long upper crest has several tops, with the highest point at Hallsfell Top, 867.8m above sea level. The familiar alternative name, Saddleback, reflects the shape of its skyline. Threlkeld lies beneath the western end of the fell, while the A66 follows the valley along its southern foot.

The contrast between the two sides is marked. South-facing slopes fall steeply towards the valley; northwards, the ground opens into the broader, grassier country around Mungrisdale Common. Scales Tarn occupies a hollow beneath the eastern summit slopes, with Sharp Edge rising above it. These changes in character help explain why Blencathra rewards repeated visits rather than a single summit tick.

Blencathra in the Northern Fells

Blencathra belongs to The Northern Fells, Book Five of Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 14th in height among the 214 Wainwrights. Together with the Skiddaw massif to the west, it forms a prominent high boundary to the northern Lakes, while quieter upland country stretches away behind it.

Its neighbouring Wainwrights include Bannerdale Crags, Bowscale Fell, Mungrisdale Common and Souther Fell. Each offers a different perspective on the main fell: from the softer northern ground to the crag-lined hollow of Bannerdale. From Blencathra's upper crest, views extend towards Skiddaw, Derwentwater and the central Lakeland fells. Clear conditions also open up a much wider outlook towards the Pennines and the hills of southern Scotland.

Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell

Sharp Edge is Blencathra's best-known feature: a narrow, exposed rock arête above Scales Tarn. It is a scramble, not an ordinary walking path, and wet rock, ice or strong winds can make it particularly hazardous. Its reputation draws many visitors, but reaching Blencathra's summit does not require tackling it.

Hall's Fell is the other celebrated ridge, rising from the southern side and finishing directly at the highest summit. Its rocky upper section also involves scrambling and exposure. These two ridges account for much of Blencathra's fame, yet they should not overshadow its less technical walking possibilities. The distinction matters when choosing a day out: this is a fell that offers both broad upland walking and serious rocky ground, sometimes within a very short distance of one another.

Where Blencathra stands

Summit at grid reference NY323277 · open full map

The real Blencathra

Walking Blencathra

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Climbing Blencathra (where2walk.co.uk)
• Blencathra Walk | The Easy Way! (sallyscottages.co.uk)
• Lake District Walk: A Walker's Blencathra (walklakes.co.uk)

Weather on Blencathra

Conditions estimated at summit height (868 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Blencathra on your wall

Blencathra's ridged southern face is a familiar sight long before the boots go on. A painting of it, chosen as a print or canvas, can bring that recognisable outline home: a reminder of a particular climb, or simply of the fell seen from Threlkeld.

Own “Blencathra Above Sunlit Hay Bales” — our painting of Blencathra → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Northern Fells

• Bannerdale Crags 684 m
• Mungrisdale Common 632 m
• Bowscale Fell 702 m
• Souther Fell 522 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.