Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Running trails & routes

Blencathra Summit – Atkinson Pike loop from Scales

Routes

Running trails & routes

Blencathra Summit – Atkinson Pike loop from Scales

Hard

runners

Blencathra Summit – Atkinson Pike loop from Scales

02:16

14.6km

740m

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: April 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.83 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.

Tip by

3.17 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!

Tip by

3.18 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.

Tip by

3.68 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?

Tip by

6.38 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

7.26 km

Tarn Crags Top

Peak

10.3 km

Mungrisdale Village

Highlight • River

Pretty little village tucked beneath the imposing fells of Blencathra (Saddleback), Bowscale and Carrock. The Caldew and Glenderamakin becks run through - perfect for picnics and paddling.

Tip by

14.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.91 km

4.36 km

2.18 km

1.21 km

Surfaces

9.53 km

3.91 km

450 m

446 m

319 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (840 m)

Lowest point (210 m)

Weather

Sunday 5 July

18°C

14°C

19 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

Want to know more?

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Hard

4.5

1,064

Derwent Water and Surprise View loop from Keswick — Lake District National Park

01:56h

16.8km

290m

Hard

4.0

903

Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside

02:36h

17.7km

870m

Moderate

5.0

585

Buttermere loop — Lake District National Park

00:51h

7.64km

60m

Hard

5.0

571

Buttermere loop — Lake District National Park

00:47h

6.97km

60m

Hard

4.6

346

Fishers Espresso Round

03:09h

20.2km

940m

Moderate

4.7

306

Grasmere and Rydal Water loop — Lake District National Park

01:07h

9.37km

150m

Hard

4.7

301

Coledale Horseshoe from Braithwaite — Lake District National Park

02:26h

14.2km

900m

Hard

4.0

194

Ennerdale Water loop from Bowness — Lake District National Park

01:22h

11.7km

110m

Hard

4.5

193

Aira Force & Gowbarrow Fell loop — Lake District National Park

00:59h

6.90km

310m

Hard

5.0

111

Thirlmere loop from Swirls — Lake District National Park

01:52h

16.6km

260m

Moderate

5.0

105

Derwent Water & Walla Crag loop from Keswick — Lake District National Park

01:01h

8.14km

280m

Hard

108

Crummock Water & Rannerdale loop from Buttermere — Lake District National Park

02:02h

16.1km

300m

Blencathra Summit – Atkinson Pike loop from Scales

View of Sharp Edge and Scales Tarn

Blencathra

Blencathra Summit

Atkinson Pike

Bowscale Fell Summit

Mungrisdale Village

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️