Bowscale Fell

Bowscale Fell seen over Bannerdale

Height: 702m (2,303ft)

Prominence: 87m (285ft)

Region: Northern Fells

Classifications: Nuttall, Hewitt, Wainwright, Birkett

Summit feature: Shelter cairn

Times climbed: 2

Related trip reports:
Bannerdale Crags & Bowscale Fell - 26/02/2016 
Souther Fell, Mungrisdale Common, Bannerdale Crags & Bowscale Fell - 13/06/2015

Bowscale Fell's summit shelter

What Wainwright said:

"It is from the valley pastures to the east that Bowscale Fell really exhibits the proportions of a mountain, this view revealing two lofty ridges that rise steeply above the white cottages of Mungrisdale. The finest feature is the craggy combe and tarn on the north flank, overlooking the Caldew: the scene of utter solitude".

Bowscale Fell rises above the village of Mungrisdale in the Northern Fells and stands at the extreme north east the Blencathra group, connected to this higher fell by the intervening Bannerdale Crags. In common with many fells the western slopes are smooth and convex while the eastern side exhibits crags.

Perched in a bowl scooped out on the northern face of this ridge is Bowscale Tarn. This is a classic corrie tarn, held in by a whale-backed moraine and having a depth of around 60 ft. Bowscale Tarn was a popular tourist attraction in Victorian times, visitors being brought by pony to observe its wild and moody setting. Tastes change and the tarn now finds itself on few itineraries for a grand tour of the District. Legend had it that the tarn was home to two immortal fish, one version of the tale also crediting them with the gift of speech.

The summit of the fell bears a rash of stones although all else is grass. There is a windshelter at the highest point and a cairn a little to the north, marking the direction of Bowscale Tarn. The view of Blencathra and Sharp Edge is excellent, together with a surprising vista of the North Western Fells through the Glenderaterra gap.

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