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Lake District Ridges Weekend – Striding Edge & Sharp Edge

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Lake District with Large Outdoors traversing the iconic ridges of Striding Edge and Sharp Edge. Guided by seasoned Mountain Leaders, you'll not only conquer these legendary routes but also gain invaluable knowledge about the area's rich history and unique ecosystem. And after a day of exploration, retreat to cosy accommodation where delicious meals and camaraderie await.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 8 (but up to 24 sharing the accommodation)
Level: Tough (Scrambling)
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs allowed

 

In a Nutshell:

  • Iconic Ridge Walks: Experience exhilarating routes along Striding Edge and Sharp Edge in the stunning Lake District.

  • Expert Leadership: Enjoy guidance from experienced Mountain Leaders, ensuring safety and offering insights into the local landscape and history.

  • Breathtaking Scenery: Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Lake District, with opportunities for stunning views and memorable photography.

  • Comfortable Base: Relax in charming hostel accommodation with delicious meals, providing a welcoming base for your adventure.

 

Book today…

How do we grade our walks?

Lake District Ridge Scrambles: Striding Edge & Sharp Edge

Experience two of England’s most iconic ridge scrambles in the heart of the Lake District. Striding Edge leads to the summit of Helvellyn, offering dramatic views and a thrilling route, while Sharp Edge is a more challenging scramble up Blencathra, demanding hands-on navigation. Guided by experienced Mountain Leaders, you’ll tackle these ridges safely with a small group. While a head for heights and prior hillwalking experience are needed, no technical skills are required to enjoy this exhilarating weekend adventure.

 

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • You can arrive at any time after 5pm, where your Large Outdoors host will be there to greet you and you can begin to soak in the beauty of the local surroundings and views from the Field Studies Council’s Blencathra Centre - our base for the weekend. We will be sharing the accommodation with other Large Outdoors groups taking part in their own outdoorsy adventures, so we will all mingle together over dinners.

    Your host will prepare dinner, which will be served at 8pm. During dinner we’ll discuss the plans for the weekend ahead.

  • After breakfast we’ll pack up our lunches and head off for our first ridge walk. We begin by walking up the hill of Birkhouse Moor. From the summit, we get an extensive view of the eastern arms of Helvellyn, including Striding Edge and the hill of Catstye Cam. With views back to Ullswater, and ahead to Red Tarn, we’ll soon begin the traverse of Striding Edge itself.

    The Edge is an excellent walk because walkers can always choose between the airy crest of the ridge, or the path which winds its way past the most exposed bits only a few metres away. You can always swap between them as you wish, and your Large Outdoors guide will be there to encourage and help you.

    Once on the summit of Helvellyn, we’ll descend by the Swirral Edge, an extra ridge to add to the weekend! Although shorter than Striding Edge, Swirral Edge requires just as much care, and you’ll definitely get a chance to use your hands.

    Once down on the path we enjoy an easy stroll back down into Glenridding, once more able to admire the scenery in these secluded valleys.

    On arriving back at our accommodation your are welcome to relax and freshen up before dinner. Here you’ll meet up with the other participants again and can swap stories about the day.

  • There’s time this morning to enjoy another breakfast before packing up and checking out of our accommodation. Then we’ll head off for the base of Blencathra. It’s a shorter walk-in today, but a dramatic one as we head round to the eastern side of the mountain, up Mousthwaite Comb and the valley behind to reach Scales Tarn.

    From here, the ridge of Sharp Edge is right above us, and after a short extra walk from the tarn we’ll be on it. Although a lot shorter than Striding Edge, Sharp Edge is… well … sharper! You’ll definitely need your hands for a section or two, but the narrowness just adds to the fantastic views, and you’ll be elated when you’re walking up the final grassy slope to the mountain summit.

    Taking in views over Keswick and the northern Lake District, we’ll descend via a grassy path.

    Having completed several of the classic Lake District ridges, we hope you leave this weekend confident in your ability as a hillwalker, and keen to see more of the ‘exposed’ parts of mountains.

    Please note: to reach the activity start points there will be a short drive required. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    Field Studies Council - Blencathra Centre
    Blease Road
    Threlkeld
    Keswick
    CA12 4SG

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    Access Information: Once you have reached the village of Threlkeld and turned onto Blease Road, the accommodation is located one mile up the hill.

    Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.

    Public Transport: The accommodation is located 14 miles from Penrith Train Station, with services to/from London, Preston, Manchester and Edinburgh.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • We will stay at the Field Studies Council’s Blencathra Centre for this weekend. Lonscale is the eco-friendly historic Lakeland slate building which we’ll call home for the duration. It offers a spectacular location on the slopes of Blencathra, with stunning views.

    All bedrooms are en-suite. Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    Field Studies Council - Blencathra Centre
    Blease Road
    Threlkeld
    Keswick
    CA12 4SG

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Twin Room (bunk beds, en-suite)

    Rooms at Lonscale are mainly Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are en-suite). There are also some Twin Rooms - with bunk beds - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.

  • Included:

    • 2 nights’ hostel accommodation.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 and Day 3).

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not Included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. There will be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This experience is rated as Tough (Scrambling). Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience. There will be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this trip, due to the exposed nature of the routes.

  • The Lake District hardly needs an introduction – England’s highest mountains, its largest and deepest lakes, and miles of walking trails through natural woodlands and country parks.

    Famous for the Lakes poets, including Wordsworth, and with a hillwalking tradition going back to and beyond the legendary Wainwright, every walker needs to visit ‘The Lakes’. The two mountains we’ll be on this weekend are in the north and east of the National Park, and we’ll have the chance to admire England’s second largest lake, Ullswater, and on a clear day see all the other famous hills of this part of the world!

Make sure you have the correct kit for one of our adventures!

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.