Blencathra - Hallsfell Top

It was Wainwright who popularised the ancient Cumbric name of Blencathra, since before him for a while it was referred to as Saddleback. It has five tops of which this is the highest. Running from east to west they are: Scales Fell, Doddick Fell, Hall's Fell, Gategill Fell, and Blease Fell. The three central tops have rough and rocky ridges heading south towards Threlkeld, but it is round the corner to the north that the narrow arête of Sharp Edge can be found. It is not to be underestimated, a walker with moderate scrambling ability and a head for heights will manage with care. However, in winter it becomes a serious proposition even for those well equipped. In the wet its laminated slate/rock becomes greasy and dangerous as a slip on the knife edge arête can be fatal. The outer fells of Blease and Scales are grassy slopes and make quick descent routes in poor weather.

The name "Saddleback" came from the col, or saddle, connecting with the sixth top named Atkinson Pike on the OS 25K map.

Why not try walking up this hill using one of our walks:

• A Walker's Blencathra
• Blencathra via Hall's Fell Ridge

... or, if you've walked it already, why not log on or register and record your walk?

Other walkers registered on our site who have already walked up this hill include: 19wayne68, 3mz0 (x3), @woody (x3), adgl, adylanfan, AGJ64, ahampson (x3), ajdowsett, Alan0409 (twice), alanm9, Alfred, AliGill, Andrew McKillop, andrew_poyner, Andrewc1980, Andy Duff, Andy67, andypresley (twice), anne mariecb, Ashleighatkinson, atessa, awall, bally6872, Bazwell, beaumont.dan@gmail.com, Becky28, beckylindeman (twice), BeckyST (twice), benbrewins, bentonrambler, beth, Billygoat75, Bluebeard, Bluebell2325, bluegrassbella, bob.taylor100, boromonkey, Boss_keloid, bryanatk, budgie, buffer (twice), CaptainScarlett (twice), CarlandHay, CARLOS, Carolwildbird, cat wakelin, cejackson1951 (x3), CEW (x5), charlottegetsaround, chloealina, Chr15D, Chris Mac, Chris the rambler, chrisandbex, chrisfry35 (x10), Chuckbrick, ClaireN, clmyers, Colin M (x4), Cowles, creaky, custardcreamhouse (twice), Cydonia (twice), daleheadged, DANE2766 (twice), Daniel Pearson, Daniel278, Danrobinson, DaphneLibby, darmour, darrendixon (twice), Darrenh, Dave Martin, Daveg1987, Daver64 (x3), davew, David_F (x13), DavidMBurnett, Daz Graham, DG123, digby, districtvolcanic, DJSibbald, dmthurlow, Dominicrobertson, domusmantell, DreamyKrill, Drhelenward, Drpjohnston, drsylvester68, dsutton101, DukeNukem, DuncanG22, duncbarnes, Dunkman, elainewoodhouse, elbog_20, Elina, elliemikeandotto, emilyholdsworth, euant (twice), fabio, Felltopper, Fellwalker (twice), fellwalker68, fidds (twice), fizzerfox (x4), Floydian1 (x3), frizzwig, frothyraptor, gallowshill (x3), GaryR, gbh, gdh200, gerard.hurst (x4), gillabram, Gillian7660, gilly_3886 (twice), Ginty (x4), Glenosborne, gossy251, GraemeLackford, Graywoodhouse (twice), GregMick, gregtarr, h.d.edwards@hotmail.co.uk, Hannahfw, HannantMark, Harter hod carrier (x9), HayleyT, henrybuckets (x3), hhampson, highdave, HikerKaz, hillbilly (twice), Homesick Scorrie, Howdo, Hubbards, i2am2no2man, ian_hay@ymail.com, IanBlythe, iggsypoo (twice), Ionahunter, Itismegann, ja5ca, jackyburke80@yahoo.com (x13), James48 (twice), James82 (twice), Jamieandmel, Jandy, Jasimo16, JazMeg26, jcolvinjarvis, jegger, Jennie, JennyPeachey, jezsheona, Jhaden81 (twice), jimboslice921, JimRiley, jkpole, jodyd, john09cw, johngraham5056@aol.com, Jojo777, JordWill, josiejowalker, jplyons, js1995, JSutton, Jul3scorn3ll (twice), kasw3670 (twice), Katherined (twice), kenzie, Kerrymaffwalk, kevharris73, Kevreay1980, Kieranatt, King of the Tops (x7), koczur, kwetal, Lakeviewlad (twice), Lambo330, Lancashire Lad (x8), lee1471, leedrich, lfmcv (twice), lludwinski (twice), LozJessNacho, Luizawoods, Luly, luverlyjuberly, macca69 (x4), Mandbar, Mandy1836, mariablky (x5), MarjWatson, mark.soulby1@btinternet.com, markexploring (x4), markhallam, markryan80@me.com, martutd, matthewmarcel@gmail.com, mattmanutd, maxwalks, mbabester (x3), Mc49, McLeish, medmondo, melissachappelhow1@gmail.com (twice), michaelrusman@hotmail.com, MickRadford, mike palmer (twice), Mikew92 (twice), mintcake, MmacD11, monkey (twice), Mountain Zulu, MrAndyG, mthurlow9@aol.com, munrobracket, Nathaniel Hillman (x4), navdave, neil_h, Nettyjam61, NickiG, Nigel Dewhirst, Nottspanther, Old Man and Stan, olnstef, On The Rivet, onceuponatime (twice), Orayner15, pah800 (twice), pandy, Paperballpark, Paul Mansour, PaulG1952 (x3), PaulSpink (twice), PDB1963, Peaco, Petemoss (x17), peterb (twice), Peterfishwick, pjstephenson, racheljanemchugh (x3), rampton60 (twice), RayK, Rebecca55, Ricey, Richiemaryport, rjlawless, Robert Bozic, roro1978, Rosehip, Rubytuesday, Rudi2309, RuslandRambler, russellporter12, sammyb7, samross, Samrust, Sarahlucas, ScoutScarShuffler, sgrice56, shane1974, sharpshooter1969, shawc1981, Sheelagh, SheepFarmer, shivtc@yahoo.co.uk, Shortnick, skiddawlittleboy, Skipper, slamiga, SophieWalker, spookyfish, springfishblue (twice), Squareybee, starfury6, SteelFellLover, Stephenmshanks, Steve Britton (twice), Steve1607, Steve18566, steve71 (x3), StevetheRover (twice), Strangerclur (twice), StuartL, Sue.campbell1@hotmail.co.uk, SueG (twice), Susanna, Sylwia J Kociemba (x4), talk2mack@hotmail.com, Tesse23, The Ozard (twice), thehappymundays, ThinArthur, ThrowerBell, tiamaria, Tirama, TONYL31, TonyRogerson, Toy poodle (twice), Trevor123 (x3), Tricia15, trina, Trott, TrueFreedomSeekers, tunebluez, Tweedledeeart, Union1, Vicksey22, vickyhodgson86, VickyV, vinmac (twice), wak, Walmo124 (twice), walsh581, Warnettju, wezboyes@hotmail.com (twice), wilsonp776, wittonweavers, wolfgangb, Wrighty41, wrowlands3, and yorkmunrobagger.

In our forum you can read the following walk reports which include this hill:

• 20/09/19 - SheepFarmer - Blencathra up by Hall's Fell Ridge & the length of the top, plus Souther Fell
• 22/04/19 - euant - Blencathra from Scales
• 12/05/19 - Lancashire Lad - Blencathra, Mungrisdale Common, Skiddaw.
• 11/04/19 - Lancashire Lad - Blencathra - (via Sharp Edge & Hall's Fell Ridge).
• 18/06/17 - Lancashire Lad - Blencathra - Hall's Fell Ridge, Sharp Edge, & More.

Photo by Elizabeth Oldham and is our copyright. For more information about this photo, including on copyright, see the photo's home page.