Come and join me in the northern Lake District to conquer one of the most impressive and recognisable mountains in the whole of Lakeland.
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Many people ask me "what is your favourite mountain in the Lakes?" - it's a question that is impossible for me to answer because I like them all and even suggesting an answer would be dependent on the time of year, route choice and other factors. However, Blencathra is usually the mountain I reply with. It's a giant climbing frame, standing proud above Threlkeld and dominating the landscape.
While only reaching a modest altitude of 868m, "The ol' Saddleback" has multiple routes that offer choices to suit walkers of all abilities. Weather permitting, the views from higher elevation are truly stunning and will leave participants in awe.
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The overall distance is 11 kilometres, or around 7 miles, and the walk is expected to take 6 to 7 hours at a steady pace. This is a physically challenging day, previous hill walking experience and a good level of fitness is required to take part in this activity.
​The day will begin outside the White Horse Inn and Bunkhouse in the little hamlet of Scales. The walk that I will be leading for this outing avoids the more "hands-on" areas of the mountain, such as Halls Fell Ride and Sharp Edge. While both those routes are exciting and I personally find both enjoyable, they are serious mountain scrambles. Steep drops and tricky terrain mean that attempting them without experience and a head for heights is very dangerous.
Instead, I have opted for a scenic route that still comes with a physical challenge in the form of a steep climb up Scales Fell. There are no exposed ridges here but participants will soon find themselves "enjoying" a good cardio and leg workout as we leave the Inn behind.
A scenic panorama improves as the path leads us higher up the grass slope of Scales Fell. Views beyond Clough Head to the North Western Fells present a layered landscape of jagged peaks and rolling hills.
The terrain becomes noticeably more mountainous and participants will be treated to a side profile of Sharp Edge standing behind Scales Tarn. The ridge is a very impressive feature and is sure to provide some excitement. The path leads on up stony paths, passing Doddick Fell and subsequently arriving at Halls Fell Top - the summit of Blencathra and first peak of the day.
In clear conditions, it is possible to enjoy views of Skiddaw and the Northern Fells and many other well known Lakeland summits to the south. If visibility is very good, we will see across the Solway Firth into Scotland where a mountain called "Criffel" can often be spotted.
From Halls Fell Top, the trail will lead us north across the very Saddle from which Blencathra gets the nickname of "Saddleback". There is a section of quite rocky, mountainous terrain to tackle around Atkinson Pike and Foule Crag followed by a more gentle hillside descent to a pass between two adjacent valleys.
There will be a chance for Wainwright "Baggers" to gain another tick on their list of completed fells for the next stage of the day as we make our way back up the hillside to Bannerdale Crags.
Bannerdale Crags is quite an interesting hill and serves as a brilliant vantage point to enjoy a totally different perspective of the northern fells. For example, to look back at Blencathra allows participants to observe scale of Sharp Edge. There is also a view over to neighbouring Souther Fell, reportedly haunted by a ghostly army of Scottish Jacobite soldiers.
The whole area around Bannerdale Crags and the River Glenderamackin has been extensively mined over the years. As we descend along the valley, we will see evidence of mining operations and can discuss the interesting geology that is unique to this part of the Lake District.
Eventually crossing the river at the southern foot of Bannerdale Crags, there is one final climb up to the col above Mousthwaite Comb before an easy hillside ramble back to the White Horse Inn. This last stretch provides a nice wind down section to conclude the walk.
​Important details about this specific activity.
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The entire route accrues 11km, or just under 7 miles, with 800m ascent, and is expected to take 6 to 7 hours​. The activity is not for beginners and is physically challenging with lots of steep hillside slopes on both ascent and descent.
A steady, moderate pace is required to complete the activity in good time.
It is necessary to have previous hill walking experience and a good level of fitness to take part in this activity.
There are steep hillside slopes on grass and loose stone throughout the day. If an individual is for any reason unsure of their ability, please email me via moorstomountains@gmail.com and we can discuss things further before making a booking.
If the walk leader observes a concern with fitness levels of an individual participant,
it may be necessary for that person to return the start of the activity for their own safety, where it is safe to do so.
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This activity requires sturdy boots or trail shoes with stiff soles. NOT trainers, approach or trail shoes with soft soles.
Please refer to the Moors to Mountains Footwear, Clothing and Equipment Requirements.
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Certain breeds of dog are welcome to attend by prior arrangement only.
Children and young people over the age of 14 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian by prior arrangement.
Please bear in mind that the activity duration is calculated based on average walking speeds over the types of terrain encountered and previous occurrences of this specific route. The activity may be completed in a quicker or longer time than expected based on individual fitness levels within the group.
As mentioned, it is necessary to have previous hill walking experience and a good level of fitness to participate.
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It should be mentioned that weather in the Lake District can be unpredictable at all times of the year and so it isn't possible to guarantee excellent views on every walk. It may be necessary for the walk leader to change the itinerary of the route for safety or other reasons, meaning that is is not possible to included certain advertised objectives.
Unless there is a safety concern posed by the weather forecast, activities will go ahead regardless of conditions.
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Please see the Moors to Mountains Terms and Conditions before booking.
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Meeting point and transport information.
​The activity meeting point is The Horse Inn at Scales near Threlkeld (CA12 4SY), where there is parking available.
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Participants should meet at the time advertised on the booking page. You will be contacted if there are any changes.
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There are frequent, reliable buses from Penrith, Keswick and other neighbouring villages. Various accommodation is available in the vicinity of Mungrisdale, Troutbeck, Threlkeld and St Johns in the Vale, including camping, hostels, B&B's. It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment. Please ask me if you need advice on where to stay or transport links.
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What to expect when booking a professionally
guided activity with Colin from Moors to Mountains.
A friendly and supportive group ethic is promoted on all activities.
It is normal for participants to feel anxious or nervous about joining a guided walk for the first time, meeting new people or just stepping out of their usual comfort zone. This is normal. Please try to remember that other people in the group will likely be feeling the same, and I can assure all participants that they will be making new friends and feeling comfortable in the surroundings in no time.
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Knowledge and enthusiasm is shared throughout the activity.
Not only am I here to keep you safe and lead the group, I like to engage all participants in interesting conversation. Whether we are visiting a site with interesting geology and natural features or perhaps somewhere of historic significance, I like to make sure participants go away having learned something new. And as an environmentalist and lover of the outdoors, it is my mission to try and pass on my passion and knowledge to all who sign up to a Moors to Mountains activity.
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Safety, motivation and attentiveness is guaranteed.
All Moors to Mountains activities are designed for smaller parties. The number of participants that is allowed will depend on the terrain of each specific activity. Suitable group sizes allow me to give each individual client the maximum attention throughout an activity, whether this is to answer questions, provide some guidance or physical assistance.
My promise is to deliver a high level of care and individual attentiveness to each member of the group.
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It is not a race, everybody is here to enjoy the activity!
The benefit of booking onto my activities for small groups for many participants is that the reasonable pricing makes joining a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Leader to be more affordable. However, participants in each group are likely to be of mixed abilities. All participants will move together as a group and support each other throughout the activity. If you are a very fit and fast hill walker and would like to experience more of a physical challenge, I am available for private bookings that may be more enjoyable for you than my usual group activities that are at a moderate or even gentle pace.
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I am qualified, insured and experienced in the mountains and hills of the UK.
As your guide, I am a qualified and insured Mountain Leader registered with the British Mountaineering Council and Mountain Training Association. I will only ever operate in areas where I have experience of the terrain and local knowledge. I have also volunteered with my community walking group for since 2011, where I have organised and led innumerable walks and expeditions across the whole of northern England, many areas of Scotland and Eryri/Snowdonia in North Wales. I also have a lot of personal experience in walking, wild camping and completing solo expeditions in these areas.
In that time, I have been lucky enough to spend time out on the hills and mountains with many people of different backgrounds and abilities. This experience has enabled me to develop an extensive knowledge of particular outdoor areas, and a penchant for designing routes that are both scenic and interesting. There are often places of historical or geological interest along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the landscape, history, industry, wildlife and geology.
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​Once a place has been booked on any activity.
I will personally contact each participant by email with any relevant information to the specific activity. The booking system will email participants a ticket but there is no need to present this when attending an activity. Participants will be sent thorough information and a Participation Consent Form that should be completed in good time before any activity takes place. This will ask for important medical information, important contact details and also request consent for me to give first aid where necessary, take any photographs (or not) and anything else relevant.
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Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on the activity.
COLIN - MOORS TO MOUNTAINS.