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Guide to 100 scrambling routes climbing the rocks and ghylls of the English Lake District, covering the northern area, including Wasdale, Buttermere, Patterdale and Blencathra. Routes range from grade 1 to V Diff (use of a rope is recommended for grade 2 and above) and can be linked to form 24 longer outings. With advice on equipment and safety.
Publishing 11 August 2025
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Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
More information...
A guidebook to 100 graded scrambles in the north of the Lake District National Park, covering Wasdale, Buttermere, Patterdale and Blencathra, with easy access from Ennerdale, Keswick, Borrowdale, Threlkeld, Thirlmere.
Routes range scrambling grade 1 to climbing grade V Diff so there’s something for all abilities. The gill scrambles and rock climbs can be linked to form 25 days out.
Overview map
Map key
Foreword
Preface
Summary of routes and scrambles
Introduction
The origins of scrambling
What is scrambling?
Dangers and how to avoid them
Lake District crag scrambling
Gill scrambling
Descending scrambles
Bad weather scrambling
Scrambling with children
Solo scrambling
Equipment
Using this guide
Wasdale
Route 1 Middle Fell and Buckbarrow
Route 2 Steeple East Buttress via Netherbeck gorges
Route 3 An exploration of upper Mosedale
Route 4 Pinnacle ridges of Pillar
Route 5 Ill Gill and Boat How Crags, Kirk Fell
Route 6 Climbers’ Traverse and Sphinx Ridge, Great Gable
Route 7 The Napes, Great Gable
Route 8 Lambfoot Dub skyline – Great End and Ill Crag
Route 9 Lingmell, Pikes Crag and Scafell Crag
Route 10 The Mickledore round
Buttermere and Ennerdale
Route 11 Lorton and Buttermere gullies, Grasmoor
Route 12 Pillar Rock, Seavy Knott and Round How
Route 13 Chapel Crags and Raven Crag, High Stile
Route 14 Grey Crag, High Stile
Route 15 Honister Crag, Striddle Crag and Hassness Gill
Borrowdale
Route 16 Lower Borrowdale gills and Shepherds Crag
Route 17 Sourmilk Gill, Gillercomb Buttress and Green Gable
Route 18 Ruddy Gill and the gullies of Great End
Route 19 Esk Hause gills and crags
Route 20 Combe Gill crags
Route 21 Combe Gill, Cam Crag Ridge, Sergeant’s Crag and Lining Crag
Northern and eastern fells
Route 22 Mere Gill and Ashness Gill
Route 23 Sharp Edge and Hall’s Fell Ridge
Route 24 Mill, Beckthorns and Sandbed gills
Route 25 Helvellyn gills, coves and edges
Appendix A Summary of scrambles in grade order
Appendix B Useful contacts
January 2024
John Fleetwood has compiled a list of Lake District Scrambles which can be found in his scrambles database.
John Fleetwood has lived in the Lake District for over 20 years, and over that time he has developed an intimate knowledge of the area. John loves exploring and has sought to visit every potential crag in the area to find new routes, some of which have been included in this guide. He is a keen runner, photographer and mountaineer and was the first person to complete the Bob Graham, Ramsay and Paddy Buckley rounds in winter, as well as being a previous winner of the FRA Long Distance Award. In 2015, John traversed the Alps in a self-supported trip taking in 60 summits over 1850km. He has climbed and walked in South America, China, Iceland, Norway and the European Alps as well as Britain. When not in the hills, John runs a sustainable investment ratings company.
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