Meet time: 9.15am
Start time: 9.30am
Estimated finish time: 2pm to 2.30pm
Distance: 7.3 to 7.4 miles (11.75 to 11.91 kilometers).
Ascent: About 2200 feet (meters).
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous).
Start point: Blencathra Field Centre Car Park.
Postcode: CA12 4SG
Car parking: Blencathra Field Centre Car Park.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: Leaving the Blencathra Field Centre we follow the track running through the Glenderaterra Valley for a mile and a bit before it crosses over the river to join the Cumbria Way. We briefly follow the Cumbria Way until we come to gate and a fence. We then take a trod eastwards, following the fence which passes through a feature on the map called “The Stake”. This area is a bit marshy but not impassible but once the gradient picks up the ground becomes drier and firm.
The first steep ascent is about 500 feet before it levels off at the Cloven Stone and from there we are close to the “summit” of Mungrisdale Common. For a Wainwright the summit of Mungrisdale Common (633 meters) is marked by a small pile of black rocks with grassy paths branching off all around. It is the not the greatest of Wainwrights and some consider it the worst, but doing this hill first is the best way to appreciate it as it offers great central views of the Northern Fells and there is a sliver of the rest of the Lakes in the valley gap between Blencathra and Lonscale Edge.
From the summit we head eastwards along a grassy trod to pick up the main path that goes to Atkinson Pike, one of the several summits of Blencathra. It is briefly steep but then levels off; and the walk from Atkinson Pike, past the pond, to Hallsfell Top, the highest point of Blencathra, is always a good one.
The top of Blencathra, Hallsfell Top (868 meters), has one of the greatest views in the Lake District. The mile long walk from the summit top to Blease Fell, a lesser summit of Blencathra, is an incredible route as much of the northern half of the Lake District can be seen. It’s about a mile from Blease Fell back to the car park, though the path is not too steep as it bends and zig-zags around.
This route is probably the gentlest way up to Blencathra and rather unconventional one.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 4 April if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, WhatsApp, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)).
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.