There are two ridge scrambles to Blencathra summit; Hall’s Fell and Sharp Edge. In good weather, Sharp Edge is possible with a dog but it’s pretty nerve-racking and your dog will need to have plenty of scrambling experience and a calm, controlled temperament. Hall’s Fell is still a tough, exciting scramble but it’s more manageable than Sharp Edge and leads you directly to the summit of Blencathra.
All routes on this site have been walked with a dog but this doesn’t mean that all routes are suitable for all dogs. People and dogs have fallen and died on this route and you'll need to decide if you are comfortable bringing your dog with you. To successfully hike this route, your dog will need to be able to scramble over very narrow ridges. If your dog hasn't scrambled before, this isn't the route to begin with. If you do decide to bring your dog, make sure you have the right gear and your dog has had the right hiking experience.
Start and End Location: Threlkeld Village. There is street parking and two car parks; one next to the village hall and another on Blease Road heading north-east out of the village
Start Postcode: CA12 4SQ
Distance: 8km
Time: 3-4 hours
Facilities: Public toilets behind Threlkeld Village Hall. Cafes and pubs in Threlkeld
GPX Download: Link below map
Grade: Hard Mountain Walk – the majority of the route is fairly straightforward but the scramble along Hall’s Fell is narrow and very exposed.
From Threlkeld village, follow Blease Road north-east to reach a car park on the right.
Go into the car park, turn sharp left and take the grassy track next to the donation box.
Follow the track as it continues alongside a stone wall and down to the stream. Cross the wooden bridge and continue uphill to reach a small wooden gate.
Go through the gate and turn sharp right, following a stone wall to a farming gate. Go through the gate and continue along a grassy path, keeping the stone wall to the right.
After crossing a stone stile, the path eventually moves away from the stone wall and crosses a field to a wooden gate. Go through the gate and carefully cross the river.
Ignore the path straight ahead. Instead, turn sharp left and climb through the bracken. Keep right at any forks. The path climbs the hillside and eventually reaches Hall’s Fell Ridge. There is no set route here; for the most exciting climb, stay close to the centre of the narrow ridge. Occasionally, there is a more straightforward path down to the right.
The climb over Hall’s Fell Ridge ends at the summit of Blencathra, with brilliant views over Skiddaw, Bassenthwaite Lake and the Northern Fells.
From the summit, turn left and follow the gravel path to Blease Fell.
The path bears left and zigzags downhill. At the fork, take the left hand path and cross the grassy moorland. At the T-junction, turn left and follow the path to reach the stream.
Cross the stream, go through the wooden gate on the right and follow the initial path back to the car park and down to Threlkeld village.
