Hall’s Fell Ridge
BLENCATHRA’s second-most famous ridge may not be quite as edgy as its number one; but with incredible views, entertaining scrambling and a summit finish, Hall’s Fell Ridge is up there with the best.
Hall’s Fell Ridge is a fantastic way to reach the top of a mountain. Fact. But it has one problem, and that problem is Sharp Edge. You see, try as it might, Hall’s Fell Ridge just doesn’t attract the same kind of attention and devotion as its Blencathra rock-mate. This would be travesty enough if it simply led to Hall’s Fell Ridge being ignored, but it’s worse than that. Instead, Hall’s Fell Ridge is often spoken of – and usually in the same sentence as it knifier neighbour – when ascent routes of Blencathra are the topic of discussion; it’s almost inevitably ‘up Sharp Edge and down Hall’s Fell Ridge.’ This demotion of Hall’s Fell Ridge to merely a descent route, an afterthought once the real entertainment of the day has been dispensed, is the kind of insult that will tug at the heartstrings of even the most slate-hard landscape feature.
There is some hope though. Anyone who’s actually climbed Hall’s Fell Ridge to the summit of Blencathra – and the ridge ends right on the appropriately named Hallsfell Top, the highest point on the Blencathra massif – will know and share what a magnificent route it is. It’s arguably a better first scramble for anyone than either of the more popular ‘Edges’ in the Lakes, putting good, wholesome rock at your toes and fingertips, and ever-expanding views at your back. But, heck, even if you’ve bagged every scramble on the British Isles (and well done you if you have) this is still a gift of a route that keeps on giving, and one that will beckon you with a welcoming smile every time you drive past it on the A66 into Lakeland.
1
Although there is some roadside parking along the lane that leads out of Threlkeld toward Gategill, it is very limited and you risk obstructing the works and farm access. A far better option is to leave your car in the parking area in the north-west corner of Threlkeld just off the road that leads to Blease Fell and the Blencathra Centre. From here head north past fields to cross a wall into open access land by the base of Blease Gill.
2
Turn right and head east alongside the wall, skirting below the southern slope of Gategill Fell. The path drifts away from the wall to pass through a gate and arrive at Gate Gill, with a large spoil heap and derelict building over to the left evidencing the area’s mining history.
3
Cross the gill above what appears to be a rustic dam (be careful, this can be slippery and you don’t want wet feet this early on), then fork left off the main path and begin the thigh-burning ascent of Hall’s Fell’s heather covered lower slopes.
4
The going is steep, so make use of rest breaks to stop and enjoy the amazing scenery opening up behind you, with views over Threlkeld to Clough Head. Bands of rock start to break through on the ridge’s apex – treat these as a warm-up to the main event and get some scrambling practice in!
5
Eventually the rock takes over altogether and Hall’s Fell Ridge proper is reached. There is a walker’s bypass path for much of it, but the best of the scrambling is found on the spine of the rock. The ridge kinks slightly left and narrows to a more defined crest; this section of Hall’s Fell Ridge is often referred to as Narrow Edge. Stay on the crest for the best rock and the most fun!
6
A notch in the ridge provides the ‘crux’ of the route, but unless the rock is very wet (in which case it can be slippery) this should prove no great problem. Continue the scrambling, pausing again here and there to soak up the views that will start to include Keswick, Derwent Water, and vast swathes of the Lakeland fells. Eventually the scrambling eases and the ridge terminates on the summit of Blencathra by the low-profile ‘trig detector ring’ on Hallsfell Top. You have options, and while the gentle walk down via Blease Fell is a perfectly pleasant descent route, heading east for a short distance to then descend south via Doddick Fell gives you the opportunity to view Hall’s Fell Ridge in profile and retrospectively admire your ascent route. From the base of Doddick Fell, head west to the dam crossing of Gate Gill and retrace your steps back to Threlkeld.