DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!!!!
Useful websites for further research
Ben Lairig is not a guided club
You are responsible for your individual safety in the mountains. Everyone must come equipped with the knowledge and gear to remain safe. This means:
Committee members are generally more experienced but are not trained mountain guides and should not be relied on for anything other than advice.
Mountain Rescue
Dial 999, ask for police, then ask for mountain rescue.
Only use in an emergency after contacting senior committee first.
This document is only a guide
It is not complete or necessarily correct. What follows is merely a suggestion of some popular routes that we have found online, using resources that are available to anyone. Not all routes have been verified by our members. It is not a substitute for individual research, route finding and preparation.
Striding Edge
Swirral Edge
Pinnacle Ridge
Sharp Edge
Lake District
Scafell Pike
Great End
Great Gable
Green Gable
Blencathra
Helvellyn
Catstye Cam
Pavey’s Ark
Great Carrs
Swirl How
Old Man
Langdale (slides 8-10)
Ullswater
Thirlmere
Derwent
Water
Coniston (slides 11-13)
Fairfield
Borrowdale (slides 4-7)
Brim Fell
Wetherlam
Grey Friar
Dow Crag
Bowfell
Crinkle
Crag
Pike of
Blisco
Esk Pike
Glaramara
Base Brown
Harrison
Stickle
Pike o’
Stickle
High Raise
Blea Rigg
St Sunday Crag
A591
A66
A592
- Hillwalking routes
- Easy scrambles (Grade I - II)
- Hard climbs (Grade II+;
ropes may be required)
~5km
Glenridding
Coniston
Keswick
Threlkeld
Sergeant Man
Thunacar Knott
To York
To York
Striding Edge
Round Length: 12km
Average Time: 5hr
Elevation: ± 860m
Summit: Helvellyn; Catstye Cam
A famous Grade I which we normally do as our Fresher’s Trip, but worth doing if you haven’t already. Ascend via striding edge, with some exposure and lots of rocks to traverse. Descend via Swirral edge which is a low-grade scramble.
Pinnacle Ridge
Grade III
Climb Length: 600m
Summit: St Sunday Crag; Fairfield
An excellent introductory Grade III scramble to learn rope skills on due to the easy escape routes at any point. Involves a series of three pinnacles which are traversed. A day out includes St Sunday Crag and Fairfield. For an extra long day, it is possible to traverse to Helvellyn and descend via Striding Edge.
Sharp Edge
Round Length: 13km
Average Time: 6hr
Elevation: ±920m
Summit: Blencathra
A short but exciting Grade I scramble with high exposure. Return via Knowe Crags for a good day out or for a shorter day return down Scales Fell.
Hard
Scramble
Easy
Scrambles
Borrowdale
Scafell Pike
(978m)
Great Gable
Glaramara
Great End
- Hillwalking routes
- Easy scrambles (Grade I - II)
- Hard climbs (Grade II+;
ropes may be required)
Seathwaite
Stonethwaite
Cam Crag Ridge
Base Brown
Cust’s Gully
Attic Cave
Corridor Route
Green Gable
Great Gable Round
Napes Ridge
Arrowhead Ridge
Base Brown
Sphinx Ridge
Rabbit’s Trod
Styhead
Tarn
Glaramara Round
Gillercombe Buttress
Sprinkling
Tarn
Sourmilk Gill
Stockley Bridge
Corvus
Climber’s Traverse
Taylorgill Force
~1km
Corridor Route
Round Length: 16km
Average Time: 8hr
Elevation: ±970m
Summit: Scafell Pike; Great End
A long interesting path to Scafell pike from Seathwaite which takes in multiple areas of rough terrain and makes for an excellent hike. Some areas of the path may be rocky but not quite scrambling. Approach via Styhead Tarn, return past Great End and Stockley Bridge.
Great Gable Round
(Approach past Styhead Tarn, return down Sourmilk Gill)
Round Length: 10km
Average Time: 5hr
Elevation: ±833m
Summit: Great Gable; Green Gable; Base Brown
The route is nice, choose whether to begin past Taylorgill Force or over the Stockley bridge On the return an optional detour can be made to Base Brown. The path through Sourmilk gill is steep and winding.
There is also a gill scramble up Sourmilk Gill, but this is not recommended as you will get soaked.
Glaramara Round
Round Length: 13km
Average Time: 7hr
Elevation: ±909m
Summit: Great End; Glaramara
A meandering day out, going past Styhead Tarn and Sprinkling Tarn on the approach to Great End, returning via Glaramara and back to Seathwaite.
Hill Walks
Cam Crag Ridge
(from Stonethwaite)
Round Length: 9km
Average Time: 4hr
Elevation: ±520m
A popular Grade II/III scramble in the area, with a wide variety of route options available. The route follows a series of broken ribs, meaning there are many grassy ledges between and options for individual route finding. A rope could be used for easy practice but is not necessary on the easiest line up the ridge.
Base Brown
via TaylorGill Force
(continue via Great Gable, return down Sourmilk Gill)
Round Length: 9km
Average Time: 5hr
Elevation: ±900m
Summit: Base Brown
The line up Base Brown is very broken but includes a few nice sections of scrambling on the way up. It makes a good start to a longer day out on the Gables.
The beginning section through Taylorgill force is a good alternative to the footpath when approaching Styhead Tarn for the corridor route or Great Gable.
There is also a hard Ghyll scramble up Taylorgill waterfall – don’t get confused when doing your own research. We don’t advise attempting it as you will get soaked.
Easy
Scrambles
Rabbit’s Trod
Grade II
Climb Length: 195m
Summit: Base Brown
A nice scramble up Gillercombe buttress. Ropes may be necessary based on skill level.
Other Climbing Areas
Gillercombe Buttress Napes Needle
Arrowhead Ridge Corvus
Attic Cave
Grade II/III
Climb Length: unknown
This scramble involves a tight section through a cave in the crag, which may require you to take off your bag. The route is not super long but very fun – you may want to combine it with a hike on Glaramara.
Sphinx Ridge
Grade II (probably sandbagged)
Climb Length: 851m
Summit: Great Gable
This route is often used as by descending climbers. Ropes are necessary. Use the climber’s traverse path until you reach sphinx ridge, climb up a scree section and move onto the ridge as soon as possible. Many variations can be made, such as threading the Needle, but these all make the climb harder.
Cust’s Gully
Grade II
Climb Length: 310m
Summit: Great End
A short grassy gully up Great End over lots of boulders, some of which may have loose holds. 1 to 2 pitches.
Hard
Climbs
Scafell Pike
(978m)
Great End
Pavey’s Ark
Jack’s Rake
High Raise
Harrison
Stickle
Pike O’ Stickle
Loft Crag
Bowfell
Crinkle Crags
Pike of Blisco
Pike O’ Stickle Main Face
Harrison Stickle
Langdale
Pikes
Oxendale Horseshoe
Scafell pike path
Blea rigg
High Raise path
Esk Pike
Bowfell Links
Middlefell Buttress
- Hillwalking routes
- Easy scrambles (Grade I)
- Hard climbs (Grade II+;
ropes may be required)
Bowfell Buttress
Stickle
Tarn
Angle
Tarn
Langdale
Cumbria Way
~1km
Old Dungeon Ghyll
New Dungeon Ghyll
Thunacar Knott
Sergeant Man
High Raise loop
Round Length: 10km
Average Time: 5hr
Elevation: ±950m
Summit: Pavey’s Ark; Thunacar Knott; High Raise; Sergeant Man; Blea Rigg
A good way to round off a day after completing Jack’s Rake, although there are other approaches which don’t require scrambling. Park at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
Langdale Pike loop
Round Length: 14km
Average Time: 6hr
Elevation: ±1080m
Summits: Pavey’s Ark; Harrison Stickle; Loft Crag; Pike O’ Stickle
A nice way to bag the major Langdale summits, which could be started with a scramble up Jack’s Rake or Harrison Stickle.
Scafell Pike
Round Length: 20km
Average Time: 8hr
Elevation: ±980m
Summit: Great End; Scafell Pike; Esk Pike; Bowfell
A very long but popular route onto Scafell Pike from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, largely following the Cumbria Way. Variations on the route could be made to come back via Esk Pike and Bowfell if there is time. An early start is needed to compete this hike on time.
Oxendale Horseshoe
Round Length: 14km
Average Time: 6hr
Elevation: ±1250m
Summit: Bowfell; Crinkle Crags; Pike of Blisco
The mirror to the Langdale Pike loop on the south side of the valley, taking in several summits and some spectacular views. Many variations of this route could be taken, as there are several paths to the summit, and it could even be included after the Langdale Pikes if you want a really long day.
Hill Walks
Jack’s Rake
(return via Stickle Tarn)
Round Length: 6km
Average Time: 3hr
Elevation: ±650m
Summit: Pavey’s Arc
A classic Grade I up Pavey’s Arc. The route follows a diagonal groove, so the exposure is never too high, but the climbing is fun and dynamic. It can be combined with a walk on High Raise or the Langdale Pikes.
Pike O’ Stickle
Grade III
Climb Length: 5km
Summit: Pike O’ Stickle
A long meandering route, with unclear route finding, up the South Face of Pike O’ Stickle (Main Face). The route begins up Troughton Beck. You then traverse underneath the main face and start climbing properly over a series of broken ribs to the summit. This climb may be harder than advertised.
Harrison Stickle
Grade I/III
Climb Length: 170m
Summit: Harrison Stickle
A low grade scramble up the South-West Face of Harrison Stickle from Stickle Tarn. The final summit wall is harder, but easy to avoid if you’re not up to the challenge. Several routes are possible, ranging from Grade I – III. Ropes may not be necessary but should be taken as a precaution.
Bowfell Links
Grade I – III (each crag varies)
Climb Length: ~70m
Summit: Bowfell
A series of 9 short crags near the summit of Bowfell. Routes are generally short, and vary in difficulty from Grade I – III, making it perfect for picking up some rope skills. Individual research and route finding is necessary.
Easy
Scramble
Hard
Scramble
Old Man of
Coniston
Swirl How
Great Carrs
Bells Scramble
Wetherlam
Coniston
South Rake
Dow Crag
Dow Crag
Dow Crag
Brim Fell
Coniston Round
- Hillwalking routes
- Easy scrambles (Grade I - II)
Brim Fell Slabs
Levers
Water
Low
Water
Tourist Path
Goats
Water
Magnificent seven
Low Water Beck
Grey Friar
~1km
Walna Scar Road
Dow Crag
Round Length: 11km
Average Time: 6hr
Elevation: ±800m
Summit: Dow Crag; Old Man
A nice route which goes around Goats Water, taking in Dow Crag (variation via the South Rake is possible) and the Old Man. From the Old Man, descend via the tourist path.
Magnificent Seven
Round Length: 21km
Average Time: 11hr
Elevation: ±1345m
Summit: Dow Crag; Old Man; Brim Fell; Great Carrs; Grey Friar; Swirl How; Wetherlam
A super long day taking in all 7 major Wainwright summits around Coniston – putting the Walna Scar Road and Coniston Round together for a massive day out.
Coniston Round
Round Length: 15km
Average Time: 5hr
Elevation: ±935m
Summit: Old Man; Brim Fell; Swirl How; Wetherlam
A long walk around the horseshoe of the Old Man, taking in multiple summits. Wetherlam can be skipped for a shorter day if you choose to descend via Levers Water.
Hill Walks
Bell’s Scramble
(Summit the Bell and Old Man, return on tourist path)
Round Length: 6km
Average Time: 3hr
Elevation: ±630m
Summits: The Bell; The Old Man
A short popular scramble up the shoulder of The Bell. Reasonably challenging, but quick to complete. It makes a good start to the classic tourist route up the Old Man, from there any route can be taken depending on how much time you have.
South Rake
(Approach and return via Walna Scar Road)
Round Length: 8km
Average Time: 3hr
Elevation: ±580m
Summit: Dow Crag
Often used as a descent path for climbers on Dow Crag, this route is barely more than a steep rocky path. Nevertheless, it provides a fun easy way up Dow Crag via the scree slopes. Best combined with a summit of the Old Man.
Brim Fell Slabs
Round Length: 9km
Average Time: 3hr
Elevation: ±750m
Summits: Brim Fell; The Old Man
This Grade II scramble follows a series of slabby ribs up the right-hand side of a clear gully leading to the summit of Brim Fell. On approach the line may not be clearly visible. Escape is possible at most points into the grassy gully. This route is often completed after Low Water Beck (Grade III gill scramble), although it’s an excellent scramble on its own.
Hard Climbing Areas
Dow Crag - Giant’s Crawl
Low Water Beck (Grade III – very wet)
Easy
Scrambles