Summary:
This beautiful walk over hills and through tranquil valleys and villages includes far-reaching views of lake and peaks.

The 0.5 mile path through the woodland is rocky in places. It emerges opposite Kettlewell car park at the edge of the lake, an area popular with picnickers and children. Cross the road and turn right to follow the lakeshore along a path with a stone wall to your right and the road beyond.

Climb over a stile and veer left to continue following the lake edge around the headland. The broad grass path has ferns and wildflowers to either side, lake views to the left and hills and rocky crags to the right. A pebbly beach leads to a landing stage for the launches that regularly cross Derwent Water. Climb the stone steps to the right, cross the road and head up the lane opposite, signed to Watendlath.

A steady 0.5 mile climb up the lane takes you to the old Ashness Bridge and a famous view over Derwent Water, with the dramatic bulk of Skiddaw behind. Unfortunately, road access and a car park mean that you will have to share the view with many others, unless you have set out early. Continue up the lane for a further 0.5 mile, to an even better view from a sheer precipice, looking over the lake and your starting point at Manesty Woods.

Continue heading south along a track that leads through the woods, adjacent to the road. The walk becomes far more peaceful as you leave the road and car parks behind. Pass through a gate in a wall, turn right to cross the footbridge and then left to follow the well-marked path along Watendlath Beck (stream).

The path hugs the bank of this pretty stream, lined with trees, grass and ferns. The valley opens out as you walk, with beautiful views of the hills ahead. After around 0.75 mile, the path veers away from the stream and ferns grow high on either side. Enjoy the tranquil country scenery of lush foliage and fields of grazing cows as Watendlath comes into view.

The path climbs slightly on the approach to this tiny hamlet. Cross the stream, and a wonderful view opens up of the beautiful valley you have just passed through, hemmed in by rocky crags on either side. The path leads through a gate to Watendlath Tarn (small lake), where it forks. Follow the right-hand path, signed to the village of Rosthwaite, which climbs steeply for a short distance to the highest point on the walk. As it levels, and then starts downhill, a magnificent view opens up of the Borrowdale Valley surrounded by rocky crags, with high peaks in the distance.

The descent into Rosthwaite is steep and rocky in places. On the way, pass through one gate, ignore a track to your right signed to Keswick and the Bowder Stone, then pass through a second gate in a dyke (dry-stone wall). As you approach a third gate, you have a choice for the final approach into Rosthwaite. Either pass through the gate and follow the bridle path for a short descent; or ignore the gate to continue on the path heading south for a more gradual descent into the village, with more opportunities to enjoy the valley views to your right. Taking the latter route, at the bottom of the hill pass through a gate and turn right along the well-defined stony path (part of the long-distance footpath, the Allerdale Ramble) running alongside a stone wall. This will take you the short distance into Rosthwaite along the shady bank of Stonethwaite Beck, with lovely crag views to either side.

Cross the bridge over the stream to the B5289, turn left along the road and take the first right. Pass the car park and bear right at a tea-room, looking out for the sign to Grange which points your way. The well-defined path heads to the right of a farm, in an easterly direction towards the River Derwent, again with glorious views to both sides. Johnny Wood, a distinctive wooded mound, rises to your left.

Follow the river for a short distance, cross the stone bridge and turn right to two gates and a stile. Here you have a choice of routes to Grange: cross the stile to take a lower route along the river and through Hows Wood or, for a longer and higher route, pass through the left-hand gate and climb the grass path up Lingy Bank to connect with the Allerdale Ramble. The two routes converge after about 1 mile at Bowder Dub, a popular beauty spot on the banks of the river.

Head north along the well-defined path and, at the fork, take the right path along a sealed track. Turn left at the quiet road to pass through the village of Grange, and continue a

Directions: From junction 40 of the M6, take the A66 west and follow signs to Keswick, then pick up the B5289 (Borrowdale Road) south along the east shore of Derwent Water. Alternatively, catch a bus or a launch from Keswick to the south of the lake.

Trailhead: he walk can be started from various points, including the villages of Rosthwaite and Grange. Our route description begins at the Low Manesty campsite, about 1 mile north of Grange on the south shore of Derwent Water.

Length: 9.5 miles / 15.2 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 790 ft / 241 m

Duration: 5.5 hours

Trail Condition: Well defined, steep and rocky in places. Some sections of the route follow paved country lanes.

Features: Panoramic lake, hill and valley views; villages, river and woods.

Climate: Cool and wet year round. Take waterproofs!

Accommodation: Hotels, B&Bs and campsites in and near Grange, Rosthwaite and Keswick.

Trail Notes: A topographical map (e.g. Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure no.4 – widely available in Keswick and elsewhere) will help you identify surrounding peaks and other landmarks.

Summary:
An exciting ridge and daunting scramble lead to the summit of this distinctive mountain.

The uphill path is steep and relentless, with loose shale and rock in places. However, after 0.75 mile the initial ascent ends and the path levels out to skirt Scales Fell. You are surrounded by high fells and valleys, with Glendermackin River below to the right and the daunting face of Blencathra ahead.

Keep to the path as it veers towards Scales Beck tumbling down the hillside. A steep climb to the right of the beck on the rocky path leads to tranquil Scales Tarn, nestled beneath the summit of Blencathra. To the right is your ascent route – the narrow, jagged ridge of Sharp Edge.

Make no mistake – this is not a casual stroll to the summit. Aptly named Sharp Edge has sheer drops either side and there are few people confident enough to cover its length without using their hands. You will certainly need to use all four limbs for the final steep scramble at the end of the ridge – made all the more challenging by smooth rock. Look for a narrow gully slightly to the right, which provides some easier hand and footholds and feels less exposed. At the top, turn left for the short walk to the summit of Blencathra.

This is an exhilarating climb but (in our opinion) far scarier than the renowned Striding Edge of HELVELLYN. For those afraid of heights or otherwise unwilling to tackle the ridge, an alternative route climbs from the left of the tarn directly to the summit.

As you would expect, there are panoramic Lakeland views from the summit: Thirlmere, Derwent Water and Keswick, and high peaks, including Helvellyn and Great Gable. Descending south from the summit is Halls Fell Ridge, a classic descent route involving more scrambling. However, we recommend the descent via Blease Fell, for the views it affords to the western fells.

For the Blease Fell route, head south-west along the summit plateau following a clear path. The steep descent begins at Knowe Crags. The path continues to be easy to follow but watch your footing on the loose stones – this eventually turns to a grassy, well-defined track with some rocky sections. Keep to the track when it eventually veers left (ignore a grassy side trail that leads ahead to the Mountain Centre).

As you head east, parallel to the A66 and valley below you to the right, views of the southern flanks of Blencathra open up to the left. The setting is perfectly tranquil, with majestic mountain views all around, blighted only by the traffic noise from the A66. Soon the descent eases and the path follows a stone wall to the right. Keep to the same direction all the time as you cross Blease Gill, pass Gate Gill Fell to the left, and then cross Gate Gill. Here, the Halls Fell Ridge route joins to the left.

Continue on, crossing Doddick Gill along the way, before a steep, short descent over boulders leads down to Scaley Beck. Ascend the other side, and follow the same path for another 0.25 mile or so towards Scales. Look out for a stile on the right, which leads down to the A66 and your starting point.

Directions: From junction 40 of the M6, take the A66 west for 10 miles to the hamlet of Scales, about 1.5 miles before the village of Threlkeld. There are some parking places in two roadside lay-bys, as well as limited parking in the hamlet itself close to the White Horse pub.

Trailhead: From the White Horse, walk a short distance west (right) along the A66. Just beyond Tollbar Cottage and before a lay-by, a public footpath sign points your way to the right.

Length: 7 miles / 11.2 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 2,125 ft / 648 m

Duration: 4.5 hours

Trail Condition: Defined and easy to follow. Narrow ridge and very steep sections with scree and loose rock.

Features: Narrow ridge scramble, views of the northern Lakeland fells.

Climate: Cool and wet year round.

Accommodation: Hotels and B&Bs in and around Keswick. Several signed campsites just off the A66 near Scales and Threlkeld.

Trail Notes: Do not attempt Sharp Edge in high winds or if you are afraid of heights. It is an extremely narrow, rocky ridge with steep, exposed drops on either side, leading to a scramble up the rock face to the summit plateau. Be prepared for changeable weather. A compass and topographical map (e.g. Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 5) are recommended.