Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

Hard

4.7

(62)

578

hikers

Scales Tarn – Blencathra Summit loop from Scales

04:20

10.9km

660m

Hiking

Hard hike. 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 8, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 10.0 km for 21 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.27 km

Scales Beck Waterfall and Stone Steps

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

A great place to stop off on the way up Blencathra

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2.65 km

Scales Tarn

Highlight • Viewpoint

Scales Tarn is at the base of Sharp Edge and is a great place to stop and make the desicion of whether to go the scramble route or the steep …

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3.66 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 …

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4.38 km

Gategill Fell summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

At 2,792 feet (851 m), Gategill Fell's summit is the second highest summit on the Blencathra massif, standing proud at the head of a ridge which rises from Threlkeld. It's …

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5.16 km

Blease Fell

Highlight • Viewpoint

One of the gentler ways up Blencathra. Where the likes of Gategill Fell, Halls Fell, Doddick Fell and Sharp Edge are narrow and, in some cases, thrilling, Blease Fell is …

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5.96 km

Blencathra Zigzags

Highlight • Viewpoint

Big fan of zig zags, particularly on the descent, sometimes you feel theres a lot of walking and you are not getting anywhere, but if it wasnt for these the straight up route be silly steep.

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7.57 km

Blease Gill Waterfalls

Highlight • Waterfall

On the way down from the summit take the time to take the less travelled route to this stream, plenty steppi g stones to get over, but its nice to …

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8.46 km

Gate Gill Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

The best known of the deep channels on the South face of Blencathra, that was once a hub for mining activity.

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10.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.14 km

3.16 km

2.55 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.08 km

3.17 km

2.55 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 20 October

11°C

5°C

94 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 17, 2025,Blencathra – Blease Fell loop from Scales

A little challenging in places with the ice and snow but we managed fine with out any micro spikes. The main paths were all clear and fine with normal boots. Carnt want to see more of Keswick.