Walking Route: Northern Fells Circuit, Lake District
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Blencathra Centre > Lonscale
Fell > Skiddaw > Blencathra
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Distance: 14 miles (22.5
km)
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Height Gain: 6113ft
(1864m)
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Overview: A full circuit of Skiddaw
taking in some of the finest views from the Northern Fells.
A big day on the hills with over 6000ft of ascent makes this
an ideal walk for those long summer days.
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Maps: Ordnance Survey: Expl OL4, LR
89/90
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 2
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 4
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Start Point:
NY 302 256
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Our latest route is a full circuit of Skiddaw taking in some of the
finest views from the Northern Fells. A big day on the hills with
over 6000ft of ascent makes this an ideal walk for those long summer
days.
Blencathra
seen from Skiddaw, like we said, great views
The route is never technically difficult, though there is the
option of a classic grade 1 scramble, and takes in a full circuit
around the now abandoned Skiddaw House on paths that can be deserted
even on a warm summer weekend.
Section 1 - Blencathra Centre to Lonscale
Fell
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Distance: 2.75 miles (4.4km)
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Height Gain: 1576ft (480m)
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Arrive early at the Blencathra
Centre car park, especially on a summer day when it can fill
up quickly with paragliders. Head north west on the obvious track
that skirts the lower edge of Blease Fell and follows the
Glendeaterra Beck Valley, with Lonscale Fell dominating views to your
left.
After a mile and a half cross the footbridge over the beck and
continue west to the junction with the Cumbria Way footpath. Now
swing south west, across open land and aim for the col between
Lonscale Fell and the rocks to the right - it can get a little soggy
underfoot here.
On reaching the col turn left, steeply uphill, to follow the fence
line up to the ridge ahead. Where the fence swings right turn left
for the final 30ft climb to the summit of Lonscale
Fell above.
Section 2 - Lonscale Fell to Skiddaw
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Distance: 2.25 miles (3.6km)
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Height Gain: 1054ft (321m)
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From the summit of
Lonscale Fell - great views of Derwent
Water, below - retrace your steps back to the fence. Now follow the
fence on its left hand side, crossing a T-junction in the fence as
you descend then rise again over Jenkin Hill.
Continue along the fence line to join the main track up towards
Little Man. Where the path splits take the left hand branch for the
climb up to the summit of Little
Man, with superb views down over Derwent Water and across the
rest of the big lakeland ranges.
The path from Little Man - below - now drops down to rejoin the
main path at a gate and the sharp climb up to the start of the long
Skiddaw ridge. On a rare good day here you can see the whole of the
Solway Firth with Scotland on the far side. Continue along the ridge
to the summit cairn at the far end.
Section 3 - Skiddaw to Great Calva
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Distance: 2.8 miles
(4.5km)
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Height Gain: 948ft
(290m)
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Head north from
Skiddaw
summit as the ridge descends, along an obvious track that leads you
to the Wainwright summit of
Bakestall. The path keeps
descending to Whitewater Dash where you meet the Cumbria Way path
again.
Cross the stream that comes down from Candleseaves Bog, but
instead of taking the Cumbria Way track head east for the cairn on
the ridge. Climb slowly to the head of Dead Beck, and continue uphill
to the multiple cairns and shelter at the summit of Great
Calva.
Section 4 - Great Calva to Blencathra
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Distance: 4.3 miles
(6.9km)
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Height Gain: 2443ft
(745m)
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From Great Calva descend the steep slope south east to
join the Cumbria Way again at Wiley Gill. Follow the stream downhill
to a confluence then start the long slog uphill over grass covered
Mungrisdale Common, looking out for the Cloven
Stone off to your right.
From the top of Mungrisdale Common turn slightly left to
move south east down to a col where the main path from Skiddaw House
to Atkinson Pike is met. As you approach Atkinson Pike drop downhill
slightly to the north to pick up a path that traverses round the
front of Foule
Crag. Cross the base of Sharp Edge to arrive above Scales
Tarn.
Drop down the path, or if you're feeling adventurous take on the
grade 1 scable of Sharp Edge, to the tarn then up the steep path on
the far side of the tarn. Emerge on the ridge and head left to the
summit of Blencathra
at the end of Halls Fell Ridge.
Section 5 - Blencathra to Blencathra Centre
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Distance: 1.9 miles
(3.1Km)
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Height Gain: 92ft (28m)
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From Blencathra's summit carry on along the wide path that
hugs the ridge crest, over the short rise to Knowe Crags then on over
Blease Fell.
The path now descends steeply, zig zagging where they're currently
re-constructing the path before getting steeper again on the final
descent through the bracken to the car park at the Blencathra Centre
where you started.
John Bailey
