Discover 100 graded scrambling routes across the northern Lake District, from the dramatic ridgelines of Wasdale and the gill scrambles of Borrowdale to the legendary Sharp Edge on Blencathra, one of England's most exhilarating mountain challenges. Spanning scrambling grades 1 to 3 and rock climbing grades Moderate to V Diff, this is a comprehensive guide to some of the finest scrambling terrain in England.

For keen hillwalkers ready to move onto more technical terrain, or experienced scramblers seeking new lines in the northern fells, this trusted Cicerone guidebook by local expert John Fleetwood gives you everything you need to tackle Lake District scrambles with confidence. It combines clear route descriptions with 1:25,000 OS mapping and topos, with honest guidance on grade, quality and approach so you can match each route to your ability and ambitions.

• 100 graded scrambles and rock climbs covering Wasdale, Ennerdale, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Blencathra and Thirlmere, with routes from scrambling grade 1 to rock climbing suitable for a wide range of experience levels
• Clear route descriptions with grade, quality, aspect and approach notes for every route, supported by 1:25,000 OS mapping and topos, so you always know what you're getting into before you leave the valley
• Classic routes are described, including Sharp Edge, Cam Crag Ridge, Sphinx Ridge, Sandbed Gill, Ill Gill, Corvus, Needle Ridge, Grey Knotts Face and Steeple's East Buttress,  the defining scrambles of the northern Lake District
• 25 combinable day itineraries link gill scrambles and rock climbs into longer outings, giving you a full day on the hill rather than a single short route
• Dedicated safety and equipment guidance covers the specific demands of crag scrambling, gill scrambling, descents, bad weather conditions, solo scrambling and scrambling with children

Expert author John Fleetwood has lived in the Lake District National Park for over 20 years and brings an intimate, first-hand knowledge of the northern fells to every route in this guide. Together, the graded route descriptions, OS mapping, topos and safety advice provide a thorough, trustworthy companion for scrambling in the northern Lake District's most dramatic terrain.

Scrambles in the Lake District North is one half of a two-volume set. Pair it with Scrambles in the Lake District South for the most complete scrambling guide to the Lake District National Park.

Scrambles in the Lake District – North - Quick Facts

Series: Scrambles in the Lake District (2 volumes available)
Area: Northern Lake District, Cumbria, England 
Designation: Lake District National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site 
Routes covered: 100 graded scrambles and rock climbs 
Combined day itineraries: 25 
Centres: Wasdale, Ennerdale, Buttermere, Keswick, Borrowdale, Threlkeld, Thirlmere, Blencathra 
Highlights: Sharp Edge, Cam Crag Ridge, Sphinx Ridge, Sandbed Gill, Ill Gill, Corvus, Needle Ridge, Grey Knotts Face, Steeple's East Buttress 
Route types: Crag scrambles, gill scrambles, ridge routes, rock climbs 
Scrambling grades: Grade 1 to Grade 3 
Rock climbing grades: Moderate to V Diff 
Rope recommended: For grade 2 and above 
Difficulty: Beginner scramblers to rock climbing experience 
Best season: Spring to autumn; some routes are climbable year-round 
Mapping: 1:25,000 OS mapping and topos for every route 
Companion volume: Scrambles in the Lake District – South

Author Highlight

“The character of these scrambles is diverse, and what the Lake District lacks in terms of absolute height and scale of the rock walls, it more than makes up for in the beauty and diversity of the landscape. In particular, the gills offer adventures that have an other-worldly quality. May this book act as both a source of inspiration for your own adventures and as a reliable guide.”

- John Fleetwood, author of Scrambles in the Lake District - North

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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