Souther Fell – Blencathra Summit loop from Mungrisdale

Running trails & routes

Souther Fell – Blencathra Summit loop from Mungrisdale

Hard

5.0

(1)

163

runners

Souther Fell – Blencathra Summit loop from Mungrisdale

02:23

14.7km

830m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.17 km

Souther Fell

Highlight • Viewpoint

The 1,713-foot (522 m) Wainwright summit of Souther Fell boasts arguably the finest view of neighbouring Blencathra's famous 'Saddleback' summit. The most common routes up the fell start in Mungrisdale and ascend its grassy north and western flanks.

Souther Fell has associations with ghostly legend. On Midsummer's Eve in 1745, a spectral army was seen marching across the summit ridge. Several independent witnesses claim to have seen this frightful vision. The tale adds an extra frisson to any wild camp on the fell.

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2.71 km

Souther Fell South Top

Peak

5.91 km

View of Sharp Edge and Scales Tarn

Highlight • Viewpoint

This ridge, between the top of Doddick Fell and Hall's Fell (Blencathra's true summit) is a wonderful place to view Sharp Edge above the majestic natural amphitheatre of Scales Tarn.

Like the crest of a wave petrified in rock, Sharp Edge is a familiar sight to the many who love to hike Blencathra. From this vantage, you can watch as the daring take on the infamous grade I scramble. Difficulty wise, it is a managable step up from Striding Edge on Helvellyn, but not as exposed or technical as Crib Goch in Snowdonia. However, the ridge is best avoided in wet conidtions, when the polished rock becomes very slippery.

Unlike Sharp Edge, this section of Blencathra's summit ridge is a straightforward, if strenuous, walk with no technical difficulties. The continuation down Doddick Fell's ridge is a lovely hike, while Hall's Fell Ridge is another fun grade I scramble.

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6.24 km

Blencathra

Highlight • Climb

Blencathera or Saddleback is a brilliant fell to run. Some of the ascent/descent routes are awesome scrambles and some are tough but steady trails. The views south across the Lake District are stunning!

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6.25 km

Blencathra Summit

Highlight • Summit

A bona fide scrambler’s paradise, Blencathra serves up two glorious ridges in a truly memorable horseshoe. The grade one scramble up Sharp Edge, a razor-like spine featuring the notorious Bad Step, gets the juices flowing, before an equally thrilling descent of the craggy towers and rocky arête of Hall’s Fell ridge.

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6.84 km

Atkinson Pike

Highlight • Viewpoint

So strange to see that people fall over each other on top of Blencathra and that this top seems to have so few visitors. It comes with great views though and really is just a few steps away from Blencathra's main summit and Sharp Edge – so why not include it next time you are up there?

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8.69 km

Bannerdale Crags

Highlight • Climb

Bannerdale Crags is a 2,241-foot (683 m) Wainwright fell of the northern Lake District. It gets it's name from the dramatic crags that run from north west to south east that drop sharply down to the valley of Bannerdale Beck. A great fell to visit at the same time as hiking its parent peak, Blencathra.

Tip by

10.5 km

Bowscale Fell Summit

Highlight • Summit

Bowscale Fell is a mountain in the north east of the Lake District National Park. Bowscale Fell is 2,303 feet (702 m) in height and is part of the Blencathra group of fells. Be sure to visit Bowscale Tarn on your ascent.

Tip by

11.3 km

Tarn Crags Top

Peak

14.3 km