Whenever I crave outdoor adventure, the Lake District never disappoints!
Home to countless magnificent trails, dramatic peaks, glistening lakes, cascading waterfalls and magical woodlands just to name a few, the National Park is also one of the prime locations in the UK for scrambling.
Blurring the lines between hiking and climbing, a scramble falls short of a full on rock climb yet feels much more precarious and exhilarating than your standard hill walk.
Being a hiker at heart who only occasionally dabbles in scrambling when I’m feeling a tad daring, I mostly stick to grade 1 scrambles which don’t require any specialist equipment or extensive climbing experience.
For all of those who fall into the same boat as me, the grade 1 scrambles listed below are perfect for fellow hikers or novice climbers craving something a little on the wild side!
Being sure to only include the cream of the crop, I’ve whittled my list down to what I consider the top 3 scrambles in the Lake District. Head out on any of these adventures and you’re guaranteed a white-knuckle (yet doable) climb.
Interested? Then let’s get to it 👇👇
What are the different scramble grades?
Difficulty |
Definition |
| Grade 1 | A rough climb or exposed hike. May require use of hands, but holds will usually be quite large. Within the capability of experienced hill walkers. |
| Grade 2 | Significant exposure and climbing with hands will be required for long periods. Following the designated route can prove difficult and the use of a rope may be necessary for certain segments. |
| Grade 3 | Difficult maneuvers of a moderate rock climbing standard. Advanced scramble routes where a rope and relevant climbing gear will usually be required. |
Best Scrambles in the Lake District (grade 1)
Helvellyn via Striding Edge
Difficulty: Grade 1 (perfect for beginners)
Starting point: Beckside Car Park, Glenridding, Penrith, CA11 0PA
Starting with perhaps the most popular scramble in all the Lakes…
It’s estimated over one hundred thousand hikers conquer Helvellyn each & every year, with many of these reaching the summit via the notorious Striding Edge scramble.
At first glance, this imposing knife-edge ridge sweeping over the landscape does look rather scary, but once you begin the climb and get accustomed to the exposure, it surprisingly becomes quite pleasant.
There are no particularly technical maneuvers to hoist over, and for much of the scramble there are several routes to choose from, meaning you can avoid any segments you may find beyond your ability.
It’s generally agreed that the most challenging part of this outing is the chimney section which you’ll have to carefully scale down if you decide to continue over the ridge. While steep and exposed, I’d say it’s still achievable for the reasonably fit rambler. Alternatively, if you aren’t feeling confident enough to tackle this, you can always avoid the chimney section all together via the path to the south.
All in all, I’d rate Helvellyn as the best scramble in the Lake District for climbing newbies (it was the first scramble I ever did). The height and exposure make for some exciting yet leg quaking moments, while the technicality of the route isn’t anything too intimidating.
Nevertheless – due to the sheer height of Helvellyn – one of the main dangers tends to be the weather. Being high in the clouds, it’s not uncommon to be greeted with a veneer of thick mist as you reach the start of Striding Edge which significantly affects visibility.
There are numerous reported accidents on this scramble, so it’s imperative that you come fully prepared, are confident in your ability & only climb if the weather is permitting.
Blencathra via Sharp Edge
Difficulty: Grade 1 (for daring types)
Starting point: White Horse Inn, Threlkeld, Keswick CA12 4SY
While not quite as renowned as Striding Edge, Blencathra’s Sharp Edge is still without question a scramble worth your attention.
Unlike Striding Edge, this daunting knife-edge ridge is extremely narrow and has no alternate routes to hide from the exposure or scrambling maneuvers. The only way up is directly along the tight rope ridge!
Also aptly named ‘Razor Edge’, the scramble is admittedly rather short, although the petrifying exposure can make it feel as though time stands still, especially during the ‘bad step’ segment which is well-known for being an absolute nuisance to kafuffle across.
A real leg-quaker, only attempt this scramble if you’re fit and confident in your ability to handle the altitude. It’s perhaps best to trial a climb up Helvellyn before setting your sites on Blencathra.
Likewise, for safety reasons I’d also avoid tackling this during the colder months since you’ll likely require specialist equipment such as crampons and ice axes as the extreme weather bumps this climb into grade 2 territory.
After conquering this feat, take a breather, thank the heavens you’re alive and make your way to the summit of Blencathra where you’ll enjoy epic panoramas of classic Lakeland landscape before monkeying your way down Halls Fell ridge on the descent.
Pavey Ark via Jack’s Rake
Difficulty: Grade 1 (for those wanting a proper challenge!)
Location: New Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale, LA22 9JX
Jacks’ Rake very well may be the most demanding grade 1 scramble in the Lake District. Despite this, it’s probably also my all-time favourite climb!
Popularised by walking legend Alfred Wainwright, who described Jack’s Rake as ‘just about the limit’ for the ordinary fell walker, you’ll struggle to find a more technical grade 1 scramble than this.
I’ll be the first to admit that this outing took me well and truly by surprise. Heading over to Pavey Ark one morning after a last-minute invite by some friends, I foolishly didn’t do much prior research.
Feeling confident after having recently taken on Helvellyn without much issue, I thought Jack’s Rake would be a breeze…boy was I wrong.
Around a third of the way up the cliff face as we approached the chimney segment, I realised this was a whole different beast. A real adrenaline rush!
A strong hunch tells me this is a load of codswallop! But still funny nonetheless 😂
Despite initially taking me by surprise however, I did soon settle into a rhythm and the whole experience became rather meditative since every ounce of my attention was solely focused on navigating up the dicey crag.
Nevertheless, while Jack’s Rake has some relatively tricky sections and requires a decent level of bodyweight strength to haul yourself up the cliff face, it must be noted the exposure during its ascent is nowhere near the level of Striding Edge & Sharp Edge.
This is because through a large chunk of the climb, you’ll be nicely shielded by the large craggy rocks to the left of the route.
Warning – At first glance it may appear there are easier routes on the grassy ridge to the left of the scramble which avoid some of the trickier segments (like the chimney pictured above), but it’s imperative that you don’t stray off the established climb!
Venture too close to the left edge and you’ll be faced with wet, slippery & rubbly rock which is known to frequently break away. This is how several tragic accidents (some fatal) have occurred on this fell over the years.
For your own safety, clamber up the main route since its much safer and more reliable.
Another particular issue which makes Jack’s Rake hazardous is the diagonal path up the crag acting as a sort of drainage line, meaning the rock is often wet; even in the summer months. Definitely something to keep conscious of as you climb.
The sense of achievement you feel once conquering this behemoth is well worth the effort. With breathtaking views from above, you also have the option to further explore the Langdale Pikes (I’d recommend enjoying the cracking scenery from up at Harrison Stickle).
Plus on your way back to the car park, you also have the chance to grab some pub grub and a celebratory beer at the New Dungeon Ghyll !
For the full breakdown on this climb, take yourself on over to our detailed Jack’s Rake guide here 👈
Jack’s Rake vs Striding Edge?
A common question people often ask is which is the better scramble between Jack’s Rake and Striding Edge. In all honesty, it largely comes down to what you’re looking for in a scramble since both offer vastly different experiences! However, for a full breakdown you can check out our blog post which answers this query in detail here.
Safety advice when scrambling in the Lakes
Bring the correct gear
Being prepared for the task at hand is always important when undertaking a hike; even more so when you’re tackling a scramble. Good quality walking boots are absolutely essential to help maintain grip and ankle stability during your climb. DO NOT attempt in trainers and also wear a helmet if you have one handy. Safety should always be paramount.
Top tip –To ensure your footwear grip is as effective as can be, I’d recommend giving your boots a good old scrub before taking on any of these scrambles. Muck caked in the soles of your boots isn’t going to do you any favours when halfway up the rock face! For more info, check out our comprehensive ‘how to clean your walking boots’ post here.
Give yourself plenty of space
Popular scramble routes such as the ones mentioned above are often busy which can lead to compromised safety. Getting too close to climbers ahead can put pressure on them to hurry which could potentially cause mistakes to happen.
Getting stuck behind those ahead also limits your own options, possibly being forced onto unsecure footing. If there’s a group in front of yours, it’s sensible to give them a good 10 minutes head start. Slow and steady does it.
Stick to the designated path
Venturing off the well-established routes is when accidents happen. Hikers are sometimes tempted to improvise their own way up the crag when faced with tricky maneuvers on the main path, but these rocks are untested and unreliable. Stick to the regular route, even if it may seem more difficult at times.
Always test the rocks before putting your weight on them
Likewise, throughout the scramble you’ll be heaving yourself up with both your hands and feet. These Lake District crags can be crumbly and slippery, so always be sure to check the quality of a hold before committing to it. A good way to test the structural integrity of a hold is to give it a good old bang before applying your weight on it.
Scramble with a pal
It’s always safer hiking with a pal. At the very least, inform someone you trust about your plans beforehand.
Check the weather
Always keep tabs on the weather, and don’t be afraid to turn around if conditions turn sour. It’s just not worth the risk.
More resources
Love Lakeland? Us too!
Why not head on over to the Lake District section of the blog? Or perhaps peruse our blog posts listing the National Park’s very best waterfalls & walks?
Likewise, for fellow campers, feel free to trawl through our recent post on the ‘BEST Campsites In The Lakes’!
Happy walking 🚶🚶