Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell
Four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one continuous round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra.
Effort: Long day out, serious climb
Underfoot: Technical, navigation required
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Mostly runnable, with some steep sections you'll likely walk.
A big 23.2 km Northern Fells horseshoe taking in four Wainwrights: Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw (931 m) and Blencathra. 1,412 m of climbing on serious high ground.
Four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one continuous round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra.
The route
This 23.2 km horseshoe is one of the great Northern Fell rounds, linking four Wainwrights in a single high circuit with 1,412 m of ascent. It takes in Lonscale Fell (715 m), Skiddaw Little Man (865 m), Skiddaw (931 m) and Blencathra (868 m), topping out on the highest ground in this corner of Lakeland. It is a committing mountain day that demands fitness, navigation and a settled forecast.
Climbing from the Gale Road area above Keswick, the route gains the broad whaleback ridge and traverses Lonscale Fell, with the deep trench of Glenderaterra dropping away to the east. The path then sweeps up onto Skiddaw Little Man, a fine summit in its own right with a commanding view south over Derwentwater.
The high tops
A short climb gains Skiddaw itself at 931 m, the high point of the day and the dominant fell of the northern Lakes. The summit ridge is long, stony and fully exposed to the weather. From here the round drops east across the wild, quiet ground near Skiddaw House before the sustained pull onto Blencathra.
Blencathra
Blencathra's summit sits on the lip of its famous southern face, a line of plunging ridges and combes. The return descends carefully towards the valley and back round to the start. Depending on the line off the mountain this can involve steep, rocky ground, so choose your descent to suit conditions.
Why it works
It is a true high mountain round that strings the best of the Northern Fells together in one effort. Carry full kit, food and water, and be ready to navigate, because much of the route is far from shelter. Save it for a clear, settled day and you will understand why this corner of the Lakes draws fell runners back season after season.
Long exposed ridges with no shelter and serious navigation around Skiddaw House in cloud. Some descents off Blencathra are steep, rocky and exposed, and the whole round is committing in poor weather, with map and compass skills essential.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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