Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Mountain Peaks

Sharp Edge (Blencathra)

Mountain Peaks

Sharp Edge (Blencathra)

Highlight • Summit

Sharp Edge (Blencathra)

Recommended by 154 hikers out of 158

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Lake District National Park

Routes leading to this Highlight may be dangerous

Routes may comprise technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

Save

Location: Threlkeld, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Sharp Edge (Blencathra)

4.8

(46)

506

hikers

1. Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

20.6km

07:38

1,050m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

4.7

(43)

300

hikers

2. Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

14.1km

05:14

740m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

4.8

(28)

382

hikers

3. Sharp Edge (Blencathra) – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

8.34km

04:11

640m

650m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

Tips

Alex Foxfield

April 20, 2021

Sharp Edge is one of the Lake District's classic ridge scrambles. It's arguably the most exciting way to the top of Blencathra, though Alfred Wainwright was convinced Halls Fell Ridge was the finer approach to the summit.

The arête itself is not overly technical, coming in at a grade one scramble, the same grade as the famous Striding Edge on Helvellyn. Difficulty wise, Sharp Edge is a small step up from Striding Edge and feels slightly more airy. It is not as difficult or exposed as Snowdonia's classic Crib Goch ridge, another notorious grade one scramble.

However, in windy or wet conditions, Sharp Edge can be very dangerous. Due to its popularity, the rock in some places has become smoothed by the passage of many boots. Such polished rock is particularly slippery in the wet. One section is known as the Bad Step due to the hazards it poses in challenging conditions and the gully below is known to Mountain Rescue as 'the Usual Gully'. With this in mind, Sharp Edge is best saved for days when the conditions are on your side.

Tom

June 19, 2019

A brilliant Grade 1 scramble, with the famous 'bad step' that leads to the summit of Blencathra.

David Howells

June 20, 2021

A superb day out doing the Grade 1 scramble up Sharp Edge and the craggy dropping ridge of Halls Fell. Great scrambling and great views on a sky blue day with a great bunch of guys and a girl. Fantastic outing!

Details

Informations

Elevation 740 m

Weather

Today

Friday 7 November

12°C

11°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Threlkeld, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Atkinson Pike

Blease Gill Waterfalls

Scaley Beck Rock Step

Doddick Gill Stream

Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail

Bad Step on Sharp Edge

View of Sharp Edge

Doddick Fell Ridge

Souther Fell Ascent Path

Blencathra Zigzags

Bench With View of Derwentwater and Keswick

Sharp Edge (Blencathra)

1. Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

2. Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

3. Sharp Edge (Blencathra) – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️