Just as the bulk of Skiddaw overlooks the town of Keswick , Blencathra at 2847 feet overlooks the village of Threlkeld just a few miles away.
From Threlkeld the summit can reached by one of the ridges on the southern front of the mountain. From the hamlet of Scales, just to the east , the summit can be reached over Scales Fell or via Doddick Fell. There is a route from Scales to the summit over Sharp Edge – but this route exceeds the well known ridge of Striding Edge on Helvellyn in difficulty and is not for the average fellwalker. Wainwright describes it as a “rising crest of naked rock”. . . . You have been warned! Sadly there are fatalities on this approach to the summit every winter.
For an unusual approach but one that is full of interest you can start from Mungrisdale and go up between Bannerdale Crags and Bowscale Fell. It is easy walking except for the final pull up to the summit
