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.

• 1:25,000 OS mapping and topos to aid navigation
• Each scramble is clearly described with notes about grade, quality, aspect and approach
• Popular routes covered include Sharp Edge, Cam Crag Ridge, Sphinx Ridge, Sandbed Gill, Ill Gill, Corvus, Needle Ridge, Grey Knotts Face and Steeple's East Buttress
• Detailed information on safety and equipment
• Part of a 2-volume set, an accompany Cicerone guidebook Scrambles in the Lake District - South is also available

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

Seasons

Best in Spring to Autumn, though some routes can be climbed all year round

Centres

Wasdale, Ennerdale, Buttermere, Keswick, Borrowdale, Threlkeld, Thirlmere

Difficulty

Beginner to rock climbing experience; scrambling grades from 1- to 3+; rock climbing grades from Mod to V Diff; rock climbing equipment needed for more difficult routes

Must See

Popular classics such as Sharp Edge, Cam Crag Ridge and Sphinx Ridge; dramatic gills like Sandbed and Ill Gills; classic rock climbs including Corvus, Needle Ridge, Grey Knotts Face and Steeple's East Buttress

September 2025

Route 12

January 2024

Lake District Scrambles Database

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